Page 29 of Matters of a Duke’s Heart

Felicity found herself smiling, already eager to return to Spencer’s side, as much as she loved being with Daphne.

“And as for you,” Felicity urged. “Do not think you are escaping your own gossip updates. The last I heard you were being courted by Lord Graham, yet our parents are meeting with the Greenvilles.”

“I confess I do not know who I like more,” Daphne said, echoing her former sentiment.

“Lord Graham is kind, and very gentle, but I fear he looks at other ladies while we are out in public. When I speak, he makes me feel as though I am the only lady he is listening to but the minute I stop speaking, I feel his gaze wandering. I do not quite know what to make of it. Furthermore, the Marquess of Greenville is a wonderful option. He is also most charming and thoughtful, and we played chess on the terrace of his library only last week. I returned home positively flying, but I cannot ignore my attraction to Lord Graham.”

After a moment, Daphne frowned. “You must think I am inconsiderate, gushing about my options that I cannot choose between when you…”

When you did not have many was the rest of the sentence that her sister bit back.

When you were forced into your marriage.

But Felicity found that there was no jealousy or bitterness where there had once been.

“Who does your heart say to look for?” Felicity asked gently.

Daphne bit her lip. “The marquess, Lord Dominic. But… Lord Graham has been there for longer.”

Felicity adjusted herself to take her sister’s hand and clasped it comfortingly. “Sometimes those who have been there for longer are not the ones who mean the most. If you are worried that Lord Graham’s eyes may wander now, I worry for his behavior in your marriage.”

Daphne nodded as though she had thought that too. Sitting there in her sky-blue gown, her hair prettily styled in an updo, and her green eyes glistening, Felicity thought she looked so young, so lost.

“Is there anything else?” Felicity asked. “Something that is upsetting you?”

“No,” Daphne muttered. “No, not at all. Lord Radcliffe has continued to be a bother but that is no matter—”

“Lord Radcliffe?” Felicity asked sharply. “But… Spencer warned him away from us both.”

“And it has been successful—mostly. Lord Radcliffe is persistent, but there always seems to be a lord there to draw him into conversation whenever I am bothered by him. It is a distraction enough for me to escape, but he is rather persistent. I dare say it is almost like somebody is looking out for me.”

Her eyes caught Felicity’s, and she offered a small nod that it was indeed Spencer’s doing, trying to keep Daphne safe.

“It is nothing, like I said,” Daphne concluded. “Besides, Lord Dominic has also protected me against Lord Radcliffe’s bothersome advances, and Lord Graham has in the past, as I mentioned. So I am well-guarded.”

“Guarded or not you should not have to keep enduring this.”

Despite her sister’s dismissive words, Felicity saw the worry there. She saw how Daphne’s hands never quite relaxed where she gripped the silk napkin that she had dabbed her mouth with after sipping her tea.

“I will speak to our parents about this,” Felicity decided. “I know our mother can get… overexcited at any prospect, and once encouraged me to pursue Lord Radcliffe, but this is becoming a problem. I will get them involved.”

“No!” Daphne insisted. “No, please… please do not. It will cause more issues, I think, and if Lord Radcliffe thinks he is being publicly rejected he might get worse. For now, I am protected and well. I am fine, Felicity.”

Her words came out insistent, but not harsh. Despite Felicity wanting to insist more measures to be put in place, she relented. Her sister was strong, and she was not na?ve. She had suitors willing to protect her, and both Felicity and Spencer, too.

All would be fine.

She had to trust that, if Daphne really did not want their parents involved.

“Fine,” she agreed. “But at the first sign of more trouble I will do something. I am not able to settle knowing your safety is jeopardized.”

“Lord Radcliffe is likely just bored,” Daphne dismissed. “He has not danced with many ladies recently. As soon as one catches his eye the attention will be off me, at least. Until then, I know how to keep myself well and safe. Trust me, Felicity. I can handle this.”

Despite her worries still gnawing at her, Felicity nodded, but she couldn’t quite keep the worried frown from her face for the rest of their visit.

“How are things with Alexander?” Daphne asked when they had finished their tea. Felicity was looking at the new books that had been added to their family’s collection. There were several new encyclopedias and maps.

Among them were a few from the writer known only as A Lady, and Felicity smiled, thinking of how often she had come here to bury her nose in one of those. How different her life was now.

“They are very well,” she answered. “We are making incredible progress.”

“You ought to bring him around to visit,” Daphne suggested. “It would be nice to see you with your family.”

Felicity paused at the word. “I am not certain Spencer sees us as that.”

“Nonsense,” Daphne giggled. “You are his son’s mother figure as well as the duke’s wife. You are all getting on well, and you are in love. Is that not a family?”

“I…” Felicity turned back to her sister. Suddenly, she felt rather warm, and the smile could not be fought from her mouth. “I suppose it might be, but I am hesitant to ask Spencer. I think it will be a sensitive topic. After all, Alexander is Lady Sophia’s true son.”

“Ask him about her,” Daphne gently pushed. “I think you will find that many of your worries could be put to rest. Especially from what I have heard about Lady Sophia’s behavior during their marriage, I do not think your husband will have many qualms about you being Alexander’s mother.”

“Oh, we are not quite there yet.”

“Of course, but there is good hope to keep.”

Her sister’s eyes flashed with the light Felicity could not always hold for herself, and she rushed to embrace her. Felicity hugged Daphne fiercely.

“I have missed you,” she whispered, feeling her younger sister hug her back just as strongly.

“I have missed you, too,” Daphne answered, her voice thick. “Do not leave our visits so long in between next time, or I shall come to pound down the doors of Bluebell Manor.”

“Please do,” Felicity laughed as they parted.

“Spencer has made it clear you would be welcome. I will host a dinner party for us all. Perhaps even Lord Wexley can come, too.” At that, Daphne’s head tilted to one side, and Felicity suddenly had the thought that the two of them could be rather well-matched.

“He is rather handsome,” Felicity pointed out, only to hear her sister’s cries of protest. In the next moment, she dashed through the library doors, into the garden, and her sister chased her.

They were too old for such silliness, but Felicity felt better in the last few days than she had in weeks, perhaps months.

Tearing across the garden, she realized why Spencer rode his horse at a breakneck speed when he delved into foul moods, and she understood why Alexander ran when he was upset or irritated.

It emptied one’s mind: just the wind snapping at her face, the cries of her pursuer, and the freedom of knowing that she was faster.

The two of them were grass-stained and laughing, uncaring of how unladylike it all was, by the time Spencer returned to collect Felicity in his carriage. He only lifted a brow in silent question, and then muttered, “I will not ask.”

But a smile played on his lips when he helped Felicity into their carriage to return home.