Chapter 6
Chapter Six
“ L ady Brimsleigh,” Lady Danridge exclaimed warmly, rising from her chair. “What a lovely surprise.”
It was several days after the ball, and Eloise was seated in the drawing room with her mother when the butler announced an unexpected visitor. Lady Brimsleigh, resplendent in a lavender silk gown, swept into the room with her usual regal air.
Eloise stood to greet her, forcing a smile despite the unease bubbling within her.
“Good afternoon, Lady Danridge, dear Eloise,” Lady Brimsleigh responded with a wide smile. “I simply could not wait another day to pay a visit, and I have brought along my godson. Felix, do come in.”
Eloise stiffened at the sound of his name as the Duke strolled into the room behind his godmother. His piercing gaze immediately found Eloise though his expression remained as composed as ever. His lips formed an easy smile as he turned to Lady Danridge.
“Lady Danridge,” the Duke greeted smoothly, bowing slightly as he took her hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “You are looking as radiant as always. It is an honor to be in your presence.”
Lady Danridge blushed, clearly pleased with the attention. Her mother was always one to be easily swayed. “Why, thank you, Your Grace. You are as delightful as ever.”
Eloise’s pulse quickened as she watched the Duke lay on the charm with her mother, knowing all too well that he could be the most dangerous of distractions. She had thought of little else since their exchange at the ball. She glanced at Lady Brimsleigh, who remained completely oblivious to the undercurrent between her godson and Eloise.
“We were just having tea,” her mother said brightly. “Please, do join us. It would be a pleasure to have you both.”
The Duke cast a glance toward Eloise, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he nodded his head. “It would be an honor.”
As he moved to sit, Eloise felt a surge of irritation, partly because of his smug confidence and partly because of how easily her heart fluttered in his presence. Was she really that pathetic? Their ridiculous bet played in her mind, and she wondered how Felix could look so calm and composed after everything that had happened.
“I hope we are not interrupting any important conversations,” the Duke said, his words casual as he settled into a chair. It was as if their encounter had never taken place, as though she had been the only one who had felt the heat that night. She bit her tongue, irritated that he was not equally as flustered.
Eloise’s mother laughed softly. “Nonsense. We were simply discussing the upcoming charity event. Eloise is thinking of helping organize the affair. It will be a wonderful opportunity to… socialize.”
The Duke’s gaze returned briefly to Eloise, a ghost of a smirk on his lips. Was he teasing her? “Ah, yes. Socializing. Quite an important skill, would you agree, My Lady?”
Eloise met his gaze, her expression neutral although her eyes flashed with silent challenge. “Quite.”
“Speaking of social engagements,” Lady Brimsleigh said, turning to Lady Danridge, “we must ensure that Eloise attends our little gathering next week. There will be some interesting guests.”
Eloise’s stomach churned. If the Duke was one of those ‘interesting guests,’ she wasn’t sure how long she could maintain her composure.
“Of course,” her mother replied, smiling. “Eloise would not miss it.”
The Duke leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying himself as he watched the tension play out between Eloise and her mother.
“I am sure the event will be unforgettable.” His voice was low, almost teasing, as he shot Eloise a knowing look.
A bit later, as the Dowagers chatted together in the garden, the Duke leaned toward Eloise with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Would you care for a walk, My Lady? The fresh air might do us both some good.”
Eloise hesitated for only a second before nodding. “Why not?”
She cast a glance at her mother and Lady Brimsleigh, who were deeply engrossed in their conversation, then rose gracefully to follow him. They would still be within the women’s line of sight, but the distance would grant them the privacy they needed.
And that I so desire.
The two strolled down the garden path, the soft rustle of leaves and distant murmur of voices filling the air. The Duke, walking at a relaxed pace, finally broke the silence with an air of mock seriousness.
“Since we have agreed to this little… arrangement, it is only proper that we begin with the basics.”
Eloise raised an eyebrow. “And what might those be, Your Grace?”
“First, you must start calling me Felix, at least when we are alone. We have known each long enough.”
“But—”
“But nothing,” he said. “And I shall call you Eloise.”
His tone was so authoritative that she didn’t think she could refuse. Besides, the idea of such familiarity between them excited her.
“Very well. What is next?”
“Appearance,” Felix said without missing a beat. He looked her over, though not in a crude way but more like an artist evaluating a fine painting. “First impressions are everything. You could have the most dazzling wit and charm in the room, but if you fail to catch his attention in the first glance, all of that is wasted.”
“Do we need to start with something so shallow?” she scoffed softly.
“We do, because every man is that shallow,” he countered smoothly. “Especially men like Mortcombe. You do not need to alter who you are, but certain… enhancements can make all the difference. And no, I do not mean anything drastic,” he added quickly when he saw her frown. “But presentation matters.”
Eloise’s steps slowed as she mulled over his words, trying to decide whether to be offended or not. “You think I do not know how to present myself?”
Felix chuckled. “You know how to be proper . You are lovely, no doubt. But seduction? That is a different game. If you want Mortcombe—or any man for that matter—to see you as more than just another debutante, you will need to play the game differently.”
She rolled her eyes. “All right. And how do I go about accomplishing that?”
He glanced at Eloise with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You need to begin wearing… different dresses.”
Eloise frowned, confusion clouding her face. “Different how?”
“More revealing.”
Felix grinned, the flash in his eyes clearly lewd. She supposed she should have expected nothing less from the Duke of Kingswell. Her eyes widened in shock, and she immediately crossed her arms over her chest, a defensive gesture that only made Felix chuckle.
“What exactly do you mean by ‘revealing’?”
With a devilish smirk, Felix’s gaze flickered—just briefly—down to her bodice before quickly meeting her eyes again.
“You need to display what you have to offer. Mortcombe may not have much between his ears, but he is still a man. And men are drawn to… well, let us just say, certain visual cues.”
Eloise glared at him, a flush creeping up her cheeks. The very notion was humiliating. However, she could not deny the thrill she felt upon realizing that Felix had noticed her potential ‘visual cues’.
“Are you suggesting I prance around like some kind of harlot?” she asked, pushing the thought away.
Felix shrugged casually, his smirk never fading. “Not a harlot, Eloise. But you need to catch a man’s attention. And especially in Mortcombe’s case, that involves being more… eye-catching.”
She pursed her lips, unamused but begrudgingly aware that he was right. “So you want me to parade around half-dressed?”
Felix chuckled. “No, no, not half-dressed. Just a little more suggestive. Show off your assets but in a way that is still tasteful. You want to make him look twice. Trust me, Mortcombe will not even know what hit him.”
At least, he thinks I have assets.
Eloise sighed deeply. She was willing to listen, but she would not allow Felix to think she was anything less than disgusted by his suggestion. “Fine. Anything else?”
Felix leaned in closer, his tone lowering as if sharing a secret. “It is not just about the dress, though. It is about how you look at a man.”
Eloise raised an eyebrow. “Look at him? What do you mean?”
Felix took a step back, folding his arms as if he were an instructor in front of a pupil. “You need to look at him like he is the only man on earth. Like he is the center of your world. Flutter your lashes a bit, look up at him from under them, and hold his gaze for just a moment longer than what feels comfortable. That is how you draw him in. Make him believe that he fascinates you. That you cannot bear to look away from him.”
Eloise frowned, skeptical. “Flutter my lashes? That is ridiculous.”
“Go on, try it,” Felix encouraged, gesturing for her to give it a go.
Eloise hesitated, feeling utterly absurd, but finally gave it a half-hearted attempt. She blinked rapidly, awkwardly fluttering her lashes and trying to maintain eye contact.
Felix burst out laughing. “Good Lord! That was terrible. You looked like you had something in your eye! More a tic than a seduction.”
Eloise flushed with embarrassment, scowling at him. “Well, it is not exactly something I have practiced!”
“I can tell,” Felix teased, shaking his head. “Here, let me show you. It is all in the timing. Slow down, do not blink like you are sending a distress signal.”
He stepped closer, his eyes on hers. “Look at me, but this time, take your time. Gaze up, just slightly, as if you are thinking of something intriguing. Flutter your lashes but only once. Make it subtle.”
Eloise inhaled deeply, feeling the heat of embarrassment rising again, but she nodded. She looked up at him, slower this time, and allowed herself to hold his gaze for a few seconds longer than usual. Then, with a deliberate flutter of her lashes, she blinked once before glancing down shyly.
Felix let out an audible breath, and neither said anything for a long moment.
Then he cleared his throat and looked away. “Not bad. Ahem. Yes, er… not bad at all. See? You are getting the hang of it.”
Eloise felt a small sense of triumph though she tried to hide it. “It still feels ridiculous,” she said though it had felt anything but ridiculous. It had been intense. It felt less like a game and more like she was really and truly drawn to Felix.
That in itself is ridiculous! It is just Felix, for goodness’ sake!
“Maybe so,” Felix said, still smiling, “but it will work. Mortcombe will not stand a chance.”
Eloise rolled her eyes though a small part of her was starting to enjoy the challenge. “I suppose I should practice more, then.”
“Oh, you will. We have plenty of time for lessons, my dear.” Felix chuckled, his voice low and teasing although he wouldn’t quite meet her gaze.
Did he fall for my attempt at seduction?
It was Mortcombe she needed to focus on, not her brother’s friend.
“Fine. What is next?”
Felix began to walk at a slow and measured pace. “Posture. The way you carry yourself. Grace is essential, but more than that, you need to command attention without demanding it. When you enter a room, every head should turn your way and not because you are loud or making a scene. It is about presence.”
Eloise sighed though she knew he had a point. “And how, exactly, do I do that?”
Felix stopped again, stepping in front of her. “Walk with your chin up, shoulders back, but not stiff. Look around like you own the room or in this case, the garden. Take your time, and when you speak to someone, do not rush. Men like Mortcombe notice poise.”
Eloise mimicked his instructions, feeling utterly foolish. “Like this?”
“Almost,” he whispered, and suddenly he was beside her, his hot breath on her ear as he spoke. “You just need a little… adjustment.”
He put his hand on the small of her back, and she instantly straightened.
“Yes,” he rasped into her ear, “just like that.”
He had not removed his hand, and the pair remained perfectly still for a long moment. Eventually, Eloise’s cheeks grew hot, and she stepped away.
“Yes, well, I think I have that now.” She tried again though without the invading—and confusing—presence of his hand.
“Better,” Felix said with a forced brightness. “Much better.”
As they continued walking, Eloise could not help but steal a glance at him, wondering just how serious he was about all of this. She knew he was playing a game, but there was a perceptible sincerity behind his teasing. He seemed to genuinely care.
“Do you really think this will work?”
Felix turned to her with that familiar smirk. “I never lose, remember? We shall have you married before the year is out, mark my words.”
Something in the way he had spoken and was now looking at her made her heart flutter. Eloise knew that she was playing a dangerous game and had chosen a formidable ally, if that was what he was. But the competition had now begun, and she could not afford to lose. Everything rested on her shoulders. More disconcertingly, she found that she could not tear her gaze away from Felix’s.
It was then that Lady Brimsleigh called out and waved to them from the garden table. “Ah, there you are! Felix, dear, do come and sit with us for a while. We were just discussing the plans for the next charity ball.”
Felix smiled politely, exchanging a quick glance with Eloise before they returned to their chaperones.
“Of course, Godmother,” he replied smoothly, offering a slight bow before taking a seat near her. Eloise followed suit, settling beside her mother.
The conversation shifted to mundane matters: social gatherings, charitable events, and the latest gossip making its rounds among the Ton. Eloise, though outwardly polite, found her thoughts wandering back to Felix’s guidance. She could not believe that she was following his instructions, but she was getting an undeniable thrill from playing their game.
Quite honestly, Felix’s advice makes sense.
After an hour of polite conversation, Felix and Lady Brimsleigh finally made their departure. Felix gave a subtle nod to Eloise as they left, a silent reminder of the lessons that had been set in motion.
Once they had gone, Eloise excused herself, rising from her seat and quietly slipping away. She sought out her maid, Margaret, who was tidying up in the hallway.
“Margaret,” Eloise called softly, catching her maid’s attention.
Margaret curtsied, her expression attentive. “Yes, My Lady? How may I assist you?”
Eloise hesitated for only a second. “I need you to help me with a dress I intend to wear tomorrow.”
“Of course, My Lady. Which dress would you like altered?” Margaret asked, following as Eloise led the way to her dressing room.
Once they reached her wardrobe, Eloise pulled out the gown she had chosen for the following day: a modest and elegant peach-colored gown that suited her complexion perfectly. She ran her fingers along the neckline, scrutinizing its shape and design.
“I wish to have the neckline lowered,” Eloise said decisively, her heart beating a little faster as she spoke.
Margaret blinked in surprise. “Lowered, My Lady?”
Eloise nodded, trying to sound casual. “Yes, just a little. Something subtle, nothing too bold. I still wish to look appropriate but more striking.”
The maid gave a knowing smile. “Of course, My Lady. I can make the alterations tonight, and it will be ready by morning.”
“Thank you, Margaret,” Eloise replied, feeling both nervous and excited by the decision.
Tomorrow, the real challenge will begin.