Page 24 of A Wicked Business

The image of her beautiful face in profile in the silversmith’s shop appeared in his mind’s eye, so very lovely, and then the way her blue eyes flashed when he provoked her. He wondered if she realised what it was that made them spark off each other with such heat. Felix could not remember ever being so physically drawn to a woman before. Oh, he’d had his fair share of passionate affairs with women he’d been desperate to take to his bed, but this was at once far stronger and yet strangely different, woven in as it was with a fierce sense of protectiveness he could not account for. He suspected Lady Belinda needed little protecting; certainly the men of the ton seemed to be somewhat afraid of her, and with good reason with Doris standing guard as she did.

Their relationship was yet another indicator of what an unusual young woman Belinda was, for the two of them seemed as thick as thieves, but Doris Bodrott was hardly a suitable companion for a gently bred lady. The way Belinda had not batted an eye but merely appeared amused at Doris’ frightful language, and her easy acceptance of familiarity that went way past what was acceptable in society, enchanted him.

“What are you smiling about?” his mama asked, her green eyes so like his, crinkling with suspicion. “Are you in love?” she asked hopefully.

Felix snorted and shook his head, laughing out loud now. “Certainly not,” he said, shaking his head, and going outside to speak to his father.

“All ready?” he asked.

Gabriel Knight turned and regarded his son, his dark eyes as keen as ever.

“What’s with the sudden flight from town? Are you running away from Mrs Norbury?”

Felix laughed and shook his head. “No, though it’s a bonus. I ended it last night, and she was mad as fire.”

“What were you thinking?” his father said, shaking his head. “No, don’t answer that. I know precisely what you were thinking.”

“I know, I know, but don’t pretend you didn’t have a Mrs Norbury or two tucked away in your past before you met Mama.”

Gabriel snorted. “Yes, but the moment I met her, I knew that was over.” Then he laughed ruefully. “That’s a lie. The moment I met her, I did everything I could to avoid her. I knew she was trouble the moment I laid eyes on her, and she proved me right, did she not?” he said, his eyes warm and filled with a depth of love and affection Felix had seen there all his life.

The words, echoing so many of his own thoughts, set his nerves jangling with anxiety. Of course, he knew his parents’ story, knew how his mother had pursued his father quite shamelessly, and had even challenged him to race her from London to Brighton. She’d won too, yet she’d made herself ill driving in dreadful weather and getting soaked. It was a romantic story, and one the whole family knew by heart. They had eloped to Gretna Green, though only a few knew that part of the story for his mother’s brother, the Duke of Bedwin, had caught up with them. He’d forbidden the match until then, but on seeing how much they loved each other, he’d relented. So, Felix’s parents had been married in London with all the ceremony anyone could have wished for, and the scandal sheets never learned of their shocking elopement.

Felix laughed as he was supposed to do at his father’s words, but the sense of unease, the strange sensation that the hand of fate might be intervening, repeating history, made him shiver. “What about her made you think she was trouble?” he asked warily.

His father turned, interest lighting his eyes. “She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, she was clearly interested in me, and she was so… so certain, of herself, her place in the world, her ability to do whatever it was she put her mind to. I had never met a woman like that, one who had such a combination of loveliness, kindness, strength, and sheer determination. It was… irresistible.”

Felix nodded, an odd sensation kicking about in his chest. Damn, damn, damn.

“Why do you ask?”

Felix started at the question, unprepared for his father’s piercing and too knowing gaze as he studied him.

“No reason,” he said hurriedly. “Well, it looks like we’re ready. Mama!” he called, hurrying into the house to fetch her and avoid any further awkward questions.

9th July 1850, en route to Sussex

They made good time, and Felix did his best to entertain his mother, still feeling guilty for having not been a dutiful son of late. He succeeded in making her laugh, though, and that pleased his father, and so the party was in good spirits as they crossed the border into Sussex.

“How is Charles?” his mother asked suddenly. “We must have him over to dinner, Gabe. I’m sure he doesn’t eat enough. Why, there’s nothing of him.”

“He’s well, Mama, and I think he does eat. It’s just that busy brain of his burns it all off so fast.”

“Hmph.” She seemed unconvinced by this. “He needs a wife, though how the poor man will ever find one with the two of you working him all hours—”

“Mama!” Felix protested. “I don’t work him that hard. Besides, he’s a dark horse, I tell you. I believe he may have his own ambitions in that direction.”

“Oh! He’s met someone!” Helena clapped her hands together, delighted by this news. “Where did he meet her? What’s she like?”

Felix opened his mouth and closed it again, cursing himself. This was what he got for relaxing and letting his guard down. “Oh, he ran into her when we were out shopping for Evie’s gift,” he said, hoping this might be enough information. A ridiculous idea, for Lady Helena Knight was every bit as tenacious as his father and once on the scent would not be diverted.

“So you saw her? What’s she like? Is she pretty?”

“Charles certainly seemed to think so,” Felix remarked, eyeing his father, who was looking out of the window, having no interest in Charles’ love life. Felix only hoped it remained that way.

“Oh, Felix, don’t be difficult. Is she a lady? He will not be disappointed, will he?”

“No, she’s not a lady, a lady’s maid. Cat introduced them.”