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The duke sat beside Felicia in his coach, and she was very aware of the stares they received from people passing by as they made their way out of Kensington Square.
She turned and found the duke’s silver eyes alive with pleasure. “You look fetching in that little chip bonnet.”
She beamed. “It is pretty … and matches my amber gown and brown Spencer, don’t you think?”
He chuckled and gravely inclined his head. “I do.”
She laughed. “Ah, you are making fun of me.”
“Felicia,” he said softly. “Are you excited about this evening?”
“Yes, and no … I would have been more comfortable if Becky were here already. I had hoped she would have been allowed to accompany us, but I expect she and her father will arrive in London soon, and that will be wonderful.” She brightened. “And Scott said he will attend, so there is that.” She cocked a look at him. “Where is Scott, do you know? I have not seen him since yesterday morning.”
“He went off with some friends he had bumped into at the club. I think they mean to lease some lodging together for the season.”
“Do you mind … his staying with you in the meantime?”
“Not at all. He is a very good fellow.”
Felicia sighed. “It is, you know, dashed inconvenient … being your ward.”
“Is it? Because it is dashed inconvenient being your guardian,” he answered, his voice low and suddenly husky.
“Because I know you would like to kiss me, and now you can’t.” She dimpled at him.
“You are a she-devil, but, yes, I would like to kiss you, and now I can’t,” he said on a hungry note.
“Why?” she returned. “Why can’t you? Whose business is it but ours?”
“Stop. You know why,” he answered on a frown.
“I do. You want me to make a suitable match and cannot in g
ood conscience make love to me and still accomplish that.”
He choked. “It is no such thing.”
She did not answer and said as she looked curiously out the window, “Ah, your driver has stopped … we must be here.”
A quick tour of the townhouse had Felicia smiling as she turned to the duke and said, “This is charming, but how many townhouses do you already have?”
“Three,” he said and grimaced. “My own, the one I bought before I became the duke. Then there is Ashton House, which I shall be deeding to my cousin, who will now take the title and some of the holdings, and of course, there is Somerset Place in Kensington, where I am now installed. It is not far from Daffy’s. So this would make four if I don’t sell it.”
“Then you should decide if you wish to reside here … ever, and allow your decision to emerge from that,” Felicia said, picking up a dusty linen to peer at the upholstered chair beneath.
“Ah, so then it goes to the American—unless, you like the place …?” he said.
“Not especially, and if you have three others, it is simply too much too think about, isn’t it? Silly really.”
Suddenly she found his arm slipping around her as he pulled her up against himself. “Felicia …” His voice was low and hoarse.
“Yes?” She saw the smoldering look in his bright silver eyes, and all her hurts and resolves seemed to melt beneath that fire.
And then, just as suddenly, he released her and turned away. “We should be going.”
“Right,” she said. He seemed to be at war with himself, but why? If he were in love with her, would it not be an easy decision to simply tell her?
