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Chapter Fifteen
“Iwill, of course, be honoured to marry Lady Felicity.”
Gilbert was almost amused as two sets of eyes swung toward him, displaying wildly varying reactions. Unfortunately, he could barely read either of them. Wexford had always had the ability to hide his feelings, and Felicity had far too many chasing themselves across her face to be able to identify them.
“No, Your Grace, please.” Her voice and lips trembled for a moment before she put her chin up, and Gil found himself swelling with pride at her backbone. “Wexford and I were just leaving. You needn’t trouble yourself with this matter.”
“No, we were not. I was, in fact, on my way to see you Rathnelly, to ensure you felt that very sentiment.” Gil watched as the other man turned to his sister-in-law. “Felicity, you must listen to reason. You have well and truly compromised yourself, and you ought to feel grateful that he is willing to offer for such a scapegrace as yourself.”
He watched her war with herself. She was clearly mortified over the development. It was evident to him that she hadn’t planned for this to happen, but that was surely short-sighted of her. She obviously wanted to rail against both him and Wexford but couldn’t decide which tack to take with either of them. Finally, she turned to her brother-in-law. Gil was surprised to feel disappointment.
“Wexford, Your Grace, surely it needn’t come to such a disaster. I would rather be ruined than be forced into such a marriage.”
Gil would have been less concerned if she had declared it in a fiery, dramatic manner but her calm, dull voice spoke volumes.
“But what of Adelina’s ruination? And your sisters’?”
The deathly pallor was back in her face, and Gilbert regretted the need to make her see reason. For the first time, he saw tears welling in her eyes, but she again lifted her chin and was able to blink them back.
“Perhaps, Wexford, you would be so good as to give us a moment of privacy.”
“Seems to me it’s been too much privacy that has gotten you into this mess,” the duke drawled but didn’t argue further as he strolled toward the door.
“I will see what sort of refreshment the taproom might have for me,” he concluded before pinning Gilbert with a piercing stare. “I expect to have delightful news for my duchess shortly.”
Gil almost grinned at the other man, surprised to feel an inkling of amusement in such a moment, but then his gaze returned to Felicity, and he marvelled that she hadn’t even stirred from her spot where she was staring quite fiercely at him. He went to her.
“Why are you here? You sent me away, quite clear that you hated me and wished never again to lay eyes upon me. Now, you are here making ridiculous declarations. We shall both be miserable.”
Again, Gilbert felt amusement well within him. He was more certain than ever that her last statement was far from the truth.
“Before I answer your questions, Felicity, my dear, you must be honest with me now, and we will do our best to work through it all to both of our satisfaction.” Her intense focus didn’t waver, even as he grasped her hands. “Why did you pick me, Felicity, and who have you told about being here?”
She frowned at him and huffed a sigh of irritation.
“Are you back to thinking about my letters? My maid and her sister have been helping me. And one of my sisters knew the truth of where I was. They are the only ones I have had direct communication with.” She sighed again and paced away from him, making him feel the loss of her close presence. “I know I shouldn’t have lied, but no one would let me have a useful life. They couldn’t understand why I didn’t want a Season. I wanted to find a position, but no one would agree to that. So, I made it happen. I led everyone to think I was at a different friend or family member’s home. It was complicated, and I realize now, foolish to think it could last, but I hoped to prove to them that I could be useful.”
“How did you intend to maintain your ruse?”
She shrugged as though helplessly. “I knew I’d have to tell you eventually. I hoped that you would allow me to stay on.”
“As Lady Felicity? Did you really think that would be acceptable?”
“Why not? Why was it all right for Miss Jones but not Lady Felicity? Miss Jones was gentry. Why did the fact that she required employment make it acceptable when just desiring it does not? Why did you not need to marry Miss Jones, but now you must with Lady Felicity?”
“Because Miss Jones had no choice,” he answered quietly. “But does it really matter, Felicity? The fact remains that you didn’t need to be here. You have a father and brothers, or at least brothers-in-law, who would be happy to provide for you. And your choices threatened to ruin my daughter. But besides that, you have quite ruined me.”
Colour rose in her cheeks once more and finally, tears spilled out of her eyes. Gilbert could see that she didn’t catch his meaning.
“I swear to you, I never had any intention of harming anyone, least of all dear Adelina. I love her quite fiercely, surely you know that.”
“I do. And that is why you will marry me.”
She began to quiver with nerves and more tears followed the first.
“Is there truly no other way? Surely, you don’t wish to be saddled with me, and I think being a duchess will be dreadfully tedious. Is there no other lady you could quickly wed, and this could all be declared a misunderstanding?”
Gil actually laughed at that, surprising an answering smile from Felicity.
