Page 4

That was, at least, how Felix had justified his actions.

Miss Sterling studied the trunks in the corner of the room before a hint of crimson colored her cheeks. Felix almost felt a twinge of sympathy for her, but then she opened her mouth.

“When did you have your trunks brought into my room?” she asked.

“This is not your room.” He kept his voice even, glancing at the door. “My trunks were brought in upon my arrival a few hours ago.” They would need to settle this quickly before they were discovered. It was already taking far too long.

Miss Sterling crossed her arms, matching his stance. “Perhaps the maid who directed me here was mistaken, but I do find that I quite like this room. You might consider speaking to Miss Wintle about being relocated. Surely there are still some vacant rooms available.”

Felix stared at her, barely managing to mask his dismay. It couldn’t be true that her fondness of the room was what kept her feet planted on the floor. She was being intentionally stubborn.

He put on a smile, tilting his head to one side as he examined her. “We have met before, have we not?”

Her face twitched in surprise before a deep crease appeared in her brow.

“There is no need to pretend you don’t recognize me,” he said. He took hold of one poster of the bed with a grin. “Was it three years ago when we met in Hertfordshire?” He paused. “Miss Sterling, is it?”

Her eyes darkened.

Good heavens. Any doubt Felix had that she blamed him for Gilbert’s indifference fled his mind.

She clearly hated him.

“You do look somewhat familiar,” she said in a faint voice. “But there is nothing remarkably memorable about your face.”

Felix raised his eyebrows. “Interesting. I know of women who would disagree.”

She put on a look of confusion. “Not including your mother?”

He laughed under his breath. Now that he was witnessing it again, Felix did remember Miss Sterling’s feisty nature. She had hidden it well most of the time. “Unfortunately, my mother is dead.”

Miss Sterling didn’t flinch as he had expected. “I am sorry to hear that.”

Felix hid his amusement. He was enjoying this conversation, though it would be unwise to allow it to continue. He was surprised, actually, to find that Miss Sterling was still unmarried given the fierce determination she had displayed three years ago toward matrimony.

“It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Sterling,” Felix said. “But I must request that you remove yourself from my bedchamber before any assumptions are made about the nature of our acquaintance.”

She scoffed lightly. “I am not going anywhere. This is my bedchamber. A gentleman would have already left the room by now to avoid causing such assumptions.” She paused, her gaze tracing over his face with distaste. “And, if you must know, I do remember being acquainted with you through Mr. Davies, though I will not pretend to be pleased to see you again, especially during what is meant to be the most pleasant time of the year.”

Her words should have awoken a sense of guilt in him, but he was only gathering more evidence to support his actions three years before. Gilbert would have never been happy with such an outspoken companion.

Felix sighed. “Let us keep it pleasant, then. If we are discovered together here, your Christmas season is sure to be ruined.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve caused such a thing.”

“I ruined your Christmas?” Felix raised one eyebrow. “I think I do recall taking the last of the mince pies at the Christmas Eve feast. Is this what your grievances are about?” Felix had never confessed to his involvement with ending her attachment with Mr. Davies, and he didn’t intend to start now. She could believe what she wanted, but he had only been trying to protect his friend.

Miss Sterling’s nostrils flared. He held her fiery gaze for a long moment. Did she think she looked intimidating standing there with her arms crossed? She stood at least eight inches shorter than him, and he knew without a doubt that if he truly wanted to expel her from his room, he could simply throw her over one shoulder and drop her outside the threshold.

“I expected a proposal on Christmas day, and you took that away from me,” she accused. “I know it was you who persuaded Mr. Davies not to offer for me. Why?”

Just as Felix wouldn’t confirm his involvement, he also had too strong a conscience to deny it. “Surely you have had other opportunities since then. You cannot blame me entirely for your lack of prospects. Most of that blame must surely fall on you.”

Her gaze dropped to the floor.

Blast it. He had spoken too freely.

A few seconds passed before her eyes lifted to his again. The stubborn spark behind them had been replaced with pure distaste, her cheeks devoid of color once again. “I will leave you to your yellow bedchamber, Mr. Hawthorne. Only because I think it’s ugly, and because I cannot tolerate your company a moment longer.” Her voice was surprisingly calm. She dropped into a curtsy before fetching her pelisse and boots and marching toward the door.