Page 37

Felix stood in the ballroom of Cartwell Manor as the parquet dance floor teemed with couples moving over it.

The colors of the women’s skirts played well with the many vases and arrangements of hot house flowers set throughout the room.

The large crystal chandelier in the middle of the ceiling glimmered and gleamed.

Other candles in sconces twinkled and lent golden glow throughout the space.

The three sets of double French doors at the back had been thrown open to catch the cool spring breeze, and beyond, the terrace beckoned for couples who wished for a few moments of privacy.

But he didn’t care about any of that. All he wanted was to see Caroline, to know for himself that she was all right and in good health.

It had been three days since he’d rescued her from certain death at that folly.

Three days since the entirety of his life had changed.

Three days since he’d implored Lord Beckham to do his magisterial duties and make arrangements for Miss Perkins to be taken to London and put into the care of Bow Street and possibly kept in Newgate until a trial could be arranged.

Lockhart had been consigned to his rooms and had a footman guarding the door at all times until Felix would personally escort him back to London on the morrow.

There, he would speak with a contact at Bow Street and consult a solicitor then he would turn the soon-to-be duke over to them and let the courts figure out a future for the man.

After all, he’d done what he had under coercion and threats.

Could he have said no at any time? Of course, but he hadn’t.

Simply a fool or blinded by love? It didn’t matter.

And that wasn’t Felix’s lot to decide his fate. He’d already fulfilled his duty by solving the case… or rather coming to that conclusion alongside Caroline.

Felicity came by with a smile and compassion in her eyes when her gaze alighted on scabbed and matted blond hair on the left side of his head, for the ball had grazed a bit deeper than he’d originally anticipated.

Eventually, it would heal fully, but until that time, he looked like a dog’s breakfast.

“How are you feeling?” she asked in a low voice. The green taffeta gown she wore was perfect for her hair and skin. Amusement flickered in her eyes as she watched the couples on the dance floor, one of which included Caroline’s sister, Debra.

“I’ve been better, but it doesn’t hurt nearly as much as when I lost my leg.” Not that he planned on dancing tonight. The wasn’t the type of man he was.

“Well, for what it’s worth, you look quite handsome despite your injuries.”

“Thank you.” He nodded, for he’d also suffered bruises as well as cuts from that horrible night and that, luckily, the evening clothes covered. Mostly. “Have you any idea where Miss Ives is?”

“Yes.” There was teasing in her smile. “She’s in her father’s study. Other end of this corridor, and unless I miss my guess, she’s waiting for you.”

Heat sneaked up the back of his neck. “How do you figure?”

“Well, I get the feeling she’s not keen to mingle with society, and especially now that she’s sustained wounds that can’t be covered by a ballgown.

” Then she winked. “Also, because her family has kept you from seeing her for the past three days as she recovered from her ordeal. I rather have the feeling you’re ready to punch the next person who says she’s not available. ”

He nodded. “Even after I rescued her and solved the case. Some thanks, hmm?”

His sister shrugged. “Seems like Lord Beckham will use this to his advantage in the political arena, but everyone who matters will remember who really made the difference and solved it.”

“Thanks, sis.” With a grin, he tugged her into a hug. “I appreciate that.”

She stepped back. “You promise that once Helena enters society that you’ll dance with her? Do all you can to help her reception?”

“Of course, but just now? I’m going to have a private dance with a different lady.” A dance as old as time, that was.

“Felix?” She laid a hand on his arm.

“Hmm? ”

Worry lined her face. “Don’t hurt Miss Ives or break her heart. You’re not that sort of man.”

“No, I am not. I’ll let you know what happens.

Tomorrow.” Then, with a wink of his own, he left the ballroom and ambled along the corridor as if he had all the time in the world.

By the time he arrived in the study and spied Caroline sitting in a chair near her father’s desk, everything he’d wanted to say flew right out of his head, for she wore the gown of peacock blues and greens, the gown he’d admired on her before.

Though it was gorgeous on her, of course, the effect was slightly marred by the scrapes and scratches she’d sustained on her chest, neck, arms, and face.

“Caro…”

Her head came up and the book she’d been reading slipped from her lap.

It fell to the Aubusson carpet with a soft thud.

“Felix!” Then, before he could speak, she sprang up from the chair to meet him in the middle of the room.

Seconds later she threw herself into his arms with such force, he stumbled back a few steps. “I’m so glad to see you.”

“I feel the same.” That wasn’t what he’d wanted to tell her, but it would suffice for now.

He kissed her because he could, and also because he couldn’t remain parted from her a minute longer.

“I vowed to myself that if your family kept me from you tomorrow, I would move heaven and earth to fight them.” Another kiss almost separated him from reality. “Are you feeling better, though?”

“Yes, quite.” She kissed him back with as much heat and interest. “So much so that I think you should lock the corridor door. I’ll do the same with the others.” Then she planted a hand against his chest and gave him a shove in encouragement.

“What?” Confusion pushed through him, but when she nodded with a bright smile, he moved across the room as quickly as he could. By the time they were finished with the doors, she led him to the low sofa of smooth, brown leather as she stripped off her gloves.

“I hope you are of the same mind, Major.” The gloves hit the carpet like abandoned dollops of cream, distracting him from the scratches and scrapes on those delicate digits.

“For all I have wanted for three days is to see you, kiss you, explore your form, and reassure myself that you haven’t suffered after that horrible night. ”

God, but how much was he coming to adore this woman?

“I am well enough. Wounds are healing.” As he spoke, he yanked off his cuffs, collar, and cravat, letting them drop where they would.

Then he shed his tailcoat, for in this coupling, he would have her naked or not at all.

“At least we both wear bruises, so I’m not alone in looking as if I’ve fought a bear. ”

She nodded, reaching for him when he came near. “My body aches and the slices from the blade itch like mad, but I’m alive.”

“Yes, you are.” He loosened the laces at the back of her gown, and as soon as the garment gaped, he tugged it off her shoulders and arms then pushed it down her form and off her hips. It slid to the floor with a whisper.

“As are you. When you fell from your horse, I thought the worst.” Tears welled in her expressive blue eyes while she helped free him from his waistcoat.

“Understandable.” The whisper squeezed from a tight throat, but he wrenched his fine lawn shirt up and off his body.

“When you went out of that window…” Perhaps words weren’t needed in this moment.

After he removed her stays and petticoat, he took her once more into his embrace, and when they tumbled to the sofa, neither of them seemed to notice.

Felix’s world was tumbling, falling, and alternately changing the longer he kissed her.

He couldn’t have enough of her soft lips or the satin of her tongue, but the moment his wandering fingers encountered her heated breast beneath the lawn of her chemise, the rapidly hardening pebbled tip of her nipple, he was well and truly lost.

To her credit, the lady’s hands were everywhere, smoothing over his naked back and chest, caressing his skin, briefly brushing over the still-bandaged wound on his arm where she’d shot him, and leaving hot tingles behind.

With a barely audible growl, he delved both hands beneath her chemise, shoving it upward until he cupped her breasts.

“Felix…” Her eyes glittered with amusement and arousal. “Send me flying.” The plea, said against the underside of his jaw, sent fires through his blood.

“As if I could deny you.” After that horrifying episode in the folly, he could no longer pretend, even to himself, that there were no feelings of any kind between them.

Inch by inch, kissing the satiny skin he revealed along the way, Felix removed the chemise from her body.

When her breasts swayed from the movement, his shaft hardened.

“Should I bedevil you with my lips and tongue between your thighs or should I concentrate on your gorgeous breasts?” As he spoke, he kissed a path between those charms, along her torso, past her navel.

“Does it matter?” Caro shuddered as he quickly relieved her of the slippers and stockings. When she was nude, a choked sigh left his throat. “Why do you stare at me so?”

“It’s the first time we’ve done this sans clothing.”

“We were naked in the pond,” she reminded him .

“Yes, but that night didn’t end with us coupling.

” And it was worth the wait. Caroline was laid out on the sofa with her perfect form trembling either from anticipation or need, her rosy nipples hardened, a hand resting casually at the vee of her thighs just over the thatch of black curls there.

“You are so damned gorgeous.” The curve of her breasts, the nip of her waist, the flare of her hips all called to him like a siren’s song.

“I can hardly think when you lay there as an offering.”