Page 16 of Daring with a Duke (The Jennings Family #2)

16

Felicity

P ride and something else she couldn’t quite name thrummed inside Felicity. Her fingers flew over the keys of the pianoforte while her gaze remained locked on Pandora and the Duke. The late morning light shining through the floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows of the great hall illuminated the pair waltzing in the cavernous space.

As though to highlight them. As though the fates knew how momentous this dance was for father and daughter. And if Felicity’s heart didn’t crack a little at the sight… Seeing a different daughter, a different papa on that floor—one who no longer graced this earth.

Felicity hadn’t been ready for the Duke’s reaction when he’d spotted his daughter, resplendent in an ivory ball gown that was fitting for when she truly made her come out. The man’s stunning blue eyes had glimmered with unshed tears in danger of overflowing, and a painful ache had struck up in Felicity’s chest.

His hard edges had softened, and his face had split into a smile so devastating she was sure it would bring all of England’s female population to their knees. And for once, he didn’t quickly hide it behind a stoic expression. No. It lit up his face, revealing a criminal dimple in his right cheek, and stayed there, still there now, as he twirled his daughter around the wood floor of the hall.

Pandora was the epitome of poise and grace. Felicity’s lips twitched. Though they had made the servants remove the suits of armor as a precaution. Felicity’s heart sang in harmony with the soft melody created by the ivory keys beneath her fingers while she watched Pandora’s triumph.

She and Pandora had practiced for the better part of the day yesterday. To start, Felicity had asked Pandora to showcase the dressage work she practiced with her horse. It had been eye-opening to see the girl’s transformation from fidgety and restless to controlled and methodical. Felicity knew if she could harness that, waltzing would come to the girl with ease.

The dancing had started out choppy and awkward, but when Felicity broke out into a fit of giggles instead of reprimanding Pandora for her mistakes, something seemed to change in the girl. It helped that Pandora already knew the steps; they just needed to conquer the delivery. As they worked through the waltz, Felicity reminded Pandora to focus on the principles she employed during dressage practice, to use those same skills and subtle communications with Felicity.

Felicity also dangled how shocked Pandora’s father would be if she mastered this new skill. The girl had leaped on that challenge: the perfect motivation. So, whether it was one factor or the combination of all three, Pandora went from wild and flailing to fluid and serene, and much quicker than Felicity had expected.

Felicity’s fingers slowed, the music fading as the piece came to an end. Pandora’s skirts flowed around her father’s light gray trousers as they, too, came to a stop. And then the Duke crushed his daughter to his chest, burying his head in her hair. And this time his tears didn’t remain unshed.

Bad father, my arse.

Felicity walked slowly over to the pair, applauding softly, her own eyes blurring with a salty burn. Pandora managed to extricate herself from her father’s hold and beamed at Felicity.

“You were stunning out there, Pandora,” Felicity said thickly.

“All thanks to you, Felicity. You made it feel almost easy, and I have no idea how because I floundered for months with my prior instructor.”

“A change in perspective and a method of teaching that fits the pupil. You always had it inside of you,” Felicity said with a smile.

The Duke took that moment to bow over his daughter’s hand and press a kiss to her glove. He arched a brow. “And possibly the right dance partner?”

Pandora rolled her eyes at her father’s antics, but her coiffure bounced as she nodded vigorously. “It was as Felicity said; the right partner makes all the difference. Though I think I may have preferred dancing with Felicity,” she said cheekily.

Mock outrage washed over his face, and she giggled.

“Perhaps you should dance with her, Papa. Then you’ll understand what I mean.”

Felicity froze. As did the Duke.

But the tension quickly melted from his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Pandy Pie, but we do not have anyone to play the pianoforte for a dance. Perhaps some other time.”

Felicity’s heart dropped low in her chest. And she didn’t think it was from missing out on what would have been the perfect opportunity to continue her seduction of the Duke. No, it was a different kind of disappointment. It was the rapid fluttering in her stomach when Pandora mentioned a dance, a waltz, with him . It stirred an almost painful curiosity—a desperate need—to experience it. It was as if deep down, she already knew it would be a dance unlike any she had experienced before.

Pandora let out a displeased whine, and her father laughed, chucking her under the chin.

Felicity smiled at the girl, shoving all the nonsense swirling about inside her deep, deep down. “Here is an example of when having a skill, even in an area you are not the fondest of, can be to your advantage. Your father couldn’t have refused if you learned to play. Perhaps some more motivation for you?” She cocked an eyebrow. “Hmmm?”

Pandora nodded, a determined set to girl’s blonde brows, as if she could miraculously learn pianoforte in a few minutes so her papa would have to dance with Felicity.

“I’ll play,” came a deep, gruff voice.