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Her features lifted in surprise, but she nodded. “I would be delighted.”

Felix gave a smile. “I shall look forward to it.”

She returned his smile with a polite nod. Could he imagine himself marrying her? It was a dizzying thought, to be sure, and much too soon to know for certain. He could only hope their walk together would help him learn more about her.

Felix’s gaze slid to Miss Sterling, who stood beside Mr. Newton. The poor man seemed to want nothing to do with her, his face flushed beneath his hat. If given the opportunity, Felix would gladly relieve him of Miss Sterling’s company. Thoughts of retaliation had been coursing through his mind all day. She had obviously drawn Felix away from the table intentionally before stealing his seat.

Yet there she was, smiling up at Mr. Newton, her face pretty and innocent.

“Mr. Hawthorne, come here.” Lady Dalmeer waved him forward. “You will be joining Mr. Newton, Miss Sterling, and the Laurences. You will be gathering greenery for the music room.”

Felix exchanged a look with Miss Sterling before his attention snapped back to Lady Dalmeer. He wanted to protest, but she was already bustling away.

Well, then. He would have to make the best of his circumstances.

Retaliation seemed to have fallen right into his hands.

He strode up beside Miss Sterling and Mr. Newton. He hadn’t made a plan, so he would simply have to figure it out as he went. Miss Sterling wore a deep green pelisse, her hair tucked beneath a felt bonnet. She seemed to be trying to appear unaffected, her full lips still lifting in a smile.

A false one. That much was certain.

The guests separated into their assigned groups as they made their way outside. Fresh snow hadn’t fallen, but the ground was still covered in crunchy bits of old snow and puddles of mud. The chilled air cut through Felix’s jacket, his breath leaving puffs of fog in front of his face as he trailed behind the Laurences. Miss Sterling walked closely to Mr. Newton, though he hadn’t offered her his arm.

Felix’s only companions at the moment were the servants who carried the baskets and pruning shears beside him.

The entire party weaved through the gardens in the direction of the woods beyond, but Felix stopped near a cluster of hellebores. He had spotted some viburnum and laurel in the garden as well.

“Hold a moment!” he called.

Mr. Newton and Miss Sterling turned.

“What do you think of these?” Felix asked.

Miss Sterling inched closer, eyeing the white and pink flowers, their petals edged in frost. “They might pair well with mistletoe or viburnum.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Felix smiled softly, leaning close to capture her gaze.

She blinked fast, obviously taken aback.

His strategy suddenly became clear in his mind. Mr. Newton was a timid sort of man. If he did happen to have any interest in Miss Sterling, he could be easily deterred by any form of competition. If he thought Felix was interested in her, he would surely step aside.

“Would you like to cut them, Miss Sterling?” Felix asked, reaching for the pruning shears. The servant gave them up willingly.

Miss Sterling hesitated, glancing at Mr. Newton before taking the shears from Felix’s hand. She shot him a confused look as she leaned over the clump of hellebore growing close to the ground.

Felix crouched down beside her, guiding his hands around hers as she held the shears. He caught a floral scent wafting from Miss Sterling’s skin. It was pleasant, as was the warmth of her body radiating close to his. She jolted in surprise at his touch, turning her head to look at him. He pretended not to notice, focusing on the shears.

“Give it a long stem. We can cut it back later if needed.” He guided the shears open and helped her snip one of the flowers.

“Just like that,” he said. He was close enough to her ear to speak in a low voice. “You look lovely in green.”

Her eyes found his.

A flutter nudged his stomach, which was entirely unexpected. He released her hands but remained beside her as she clipped a few more flowers.

“Mr. Newton.” Her voice was quiet as she stood up straight again. “Would you like a turn?”

Felix placed a hand on the small of her back as he stood, just a brief touch that Mr. Newton was sure to see. A furrow appeared in Miss Sterling’s brow, though she didn’t step away from him. She licked her lips, drawing a deep breath.