Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“ Y ou must tell me everything about married life,” Hannah demanded. “I fear I must live vicariously through you, for I doubt I will ever receive a proposal.”
“Nonsense, Hannah,” Eloise said. “There are many suitable matches out there for you.”
“But no dukes to sweep me off my feet,” she said with a giggle. “Really, do tell me everything. I have been dying to hear what it is like being a married woman. Is it so vastly different? Do you feel different?”
How could she tell her excited friend that she had no idea how it felt? She hadn’t been permitted to experience it. The truth of the matter was that Hannah had a better chance of finding out than Eloise did. At least, she could find someone who wanted her.
“Well, it’s… er…” she trailed off, unsure what to say.
“Your Grace? I thought that was you!”
Eloise breathed out at the sound of a friendly voice rescuing her from the uncomfortable situation in which she had suddenly found herself.
“Viscount Kaylocke!” she said, her eyes lighting up.
“Stephen, remember,” he urged.
“Of course. Stephen.” Eloise smiled at him. “Let me introduce you to my oldest and dearest friend in all the world, Lady Hannah, daughter of the Earl of Frinton. Hannah, this Viscount Kaylocke. He recently purchased the estate next to ours.”
Hannah gave him an assessing look before nodding politely. “A pleasure, My Lord.”
“Please, call me Stephen,” he insisted. “I really do hate the formalities that the Ton imposes upon us.”
“I quite agree,” Eloise said. “Do you not, Hannah?”
“Certainly.” She smiled weakly, clinging onto Eloise as if she was a lifeline.
“Are both enjoying Lady Brimsleigh’s ball?” Stephen asked.
“Very much so,” Eloise replied warmly. “And you?”
Stephen shuffled awkwardly on the spot. “I will admit that making friends is not a skill I possess,” he said. “It is somewhat difficult when you are in a new town and do not know a soul.”
“But you have already made a friend,” Eloise beamed. The man was sweet, like a little brother she’d never had. “In fact, you have made two. Is that not right, Hannah?”
“It must be terribly uncomfortable when you are the new person in town,” Hannah agreed. “I have no doubt everyone is asking about you though none will say it to your face.”
“Quite right, Lady Hannah,” Stephen replied. He looked around, noting Felix’s absence. “And where is the Duke this evening?” he asked, his tone light. “I really was hoping to meet him again on better terms.”
“His Grace does not appreciate unscheduled visits,” Eloise said to Hannah by way of explanation although it made her feel uncomfortable. She turned back to Stephen. “He’s speaking with Lord Stentford.”
She nodded in his direction, her eyes lingering on her husband for a beat too long. Her gaze worked like a siren’s call. Felix glanced up and met her eyes. She swallowed back the lump of excitement that had risen in her throat upon their renewed connection.
“Ah, perhaps later then,” Stephen replied. “I do not wish to interrupt him.”
“Probably a good idea,” Eloise replied with a soft giggle.
She pitied Stephen. He clearly had no friends, and if she were to guess, she would say he had little social etiquette. Just then, the first notes of a waltz filled the room.
“A waltz? So early in the evening?” Hannah asked.
“Lady Brimsleigh has always been unconventional, Hannah. You know that.”
Stephen turned to Eloise with a charming smile. “Your Grace, would you grant me the honor of a dance?”
“Oh, goodness, I am not sure that it is?—”
“Please,” he said, looking at her with soft, pleading eyes. “I would like to believe that I will not have to return home without a single dance this evening. You would be doing me a great favor. Surely, anyone will want to get to the know the new arrival if he is seen dancing with the lovely Duchess of Kingswell.”
She hesitated for a moment, casting a quick glance towards Felix, but he was still engaged in conversation with Percy. Besides, she told herself, it was only a dance, and there was no harm in that.
She looked back at Hannah. “Will you be all right?”
“Yes, if you are,” Hannah stammered, looking uncertainly at Eloise, but Eloise nodded, reassuring her that everything was quite all right.
“In that case, Stephen, I shall be delighted.”
As Stephen moved her across the dance floor, his grip was respectful but firm, and he guided her smoothly in time with the music. He was a skilled dancer, his movements practiced and precise, and he struck up a friendly conversation as they waltzed together.
His charm was pleasant enough, and she felt she was doing a good deed, but Eloise found her mind drifting, her focus always returning to Felix. He stood only a few yards away, watching them with an intensity that made her stomach flutter.
“You must forgive my technique, Your Grace. I am told I have two left feet and that I once scandalized an entire ballroom by trampling a debutante’s slipper clean off her foot. Should you find your own toes to be at risk, you have my express permission to feign a swoon and escape.”
Eloise let out a soft laugh that somehow floated above the music. “I do not believe that for one second, Stephen,” she said. “You have already proven yourself a worthy dance partner.”
“You are too kind, Your Grace.”
Eloise’s gaze fell again on Felix. He had moved closer to the dance floor, and he watched with dark eyes. His expression made her tingle with nerves and anticipation.
Stephen followed her line of sight and raised an eyebrow, but he made no comment, allowing the dance to continue in amicable silence.
Felix’s jaw tightened as he watched Eloise in Stephen’s arms, jealousy burning hot in his chest. He clenched his fists by his sides, feeling a surge of protectiveness he could barely contain. The man had been in his house, and now he dared to dance with his wife!
Beside him, Percy’s brow furrowed, watching Stephen with a hint of suspicion.
“He seems familiar, does he not?” Percy mused, still peering across the dance floor. “I cannot quite place it, but I know I have seen him somewhere before.”
Felix forced himself to tear his gaze from Eloise. “That does not sound like a positive endorsement. I was under the impression he was new to this area.”
“Yes, but remember, we do also spend a good deal of time in London.”
“Hmmm.” Felix turned his attention back to his wife.
A man approached from behind and leaned himself between Felix and Percy.
“It is indeed a wise idea to keep a close eye on your duchess, Kingswell. She is the belle of the ball.”
“Merely observing,” Felix said without pulling his eyes away.
“Henry Banfield, as I live and breathe,” Percy gushed, turning to face the newcomer.
The Duke of Westley nodded greetings to the two men, “Lord Stentford. Your Grace.”
“How are you?” Percy asked.
The Duke of Westley’s eyes wandered away from the Viscount and beyond the glass windows. A hint of a smile gilded his lips.
“Quite well,” he said simply.
Percy’s eyes shimmered with curiosity as he spoke, “You know, Your Grace, I heard that you also became involved with a friend’s sister.”
“Excuse me?” the Duke of Westley’s face hardened. He was a notoriously private man, and Percy was now poking his nose into his personal business.
“Pardon me, Your Grace. I was referring to your wife. Were you and the Duchess’ brother not friends before you wedded her?”
The other Duke eyed him up and down, “That may be so. What is it to you, Lord Stentford?”
“Well, I apologise for my directness, but my friend Kingswell here has found himself in a comparable situation. Remember Lord Danridge? Felix here has married his sister,” Percy continued, and Felix glared at him.
Why on earth was he talking to the Duke of Westley about this?
“Oh. I see.” the Duke of Westley looked at Felix. His eyes were dark and unyielding, but as he looked at Felix, there was a touch of kindred sympathy in them.
“Sometimes, Kingswell,” Westley said slowly, his tone firm but also strangely kind, “one must look out for one’s own happiness. Your wife’s brother shall see that too.”
Felix clenched his jaw as he nodded. At first he was grateful for his advice, as he was aware that the Duke of Westley was a perceptive man. However, he also knew that the Duke and his brother-in-law were not that close before the man had gone missing and the Duke proceeded to marry his current wife.
For Felix, it was far more complicated.
Sensing the tension in the air, Percy chimed in, “I have heard that the Duchess is now heavy with child, Your Grace,” he addressed Westley. “Congratulations. It seems there is happiness all around me.”
The Duke of Westley turned to Percy, his infamous mask of cool detachment once again in place. “Thank you, Lord Stentford. Now, gentlemen, if you will excuse me, there is business to which I must attend.”
“Westley,” Felix greeted him with a nod as the other duke walked away.
Felix’s mouth tightened, and for a brief, unguarded moment he imagined Eloise at his side, her hand resting protectively across her stomach.
The image was jarring but somehow entirely right. He looked away, struggling to steady himself as the music wound to an end.
What has gotten into me?
As Eloise and Stephen left the dance floor, he marched over to them, ignoring the calls from Percy.
He would not stand for this man’s impertinence any longer. Eloise belonged to him and no one else.
“Good evening, Your Grace,” Stephen said with a friendly nod. “I was hoping that we would get a chance to?—”
“I need a moment alone with my wife,” he interrupted, his lips tight and his eyes solely on her.
“But if you will only give me?—”
“ Now .”
Felix reached out and took Eloise’s hand before Stephen could interject. His fingers wrapped around hers, warm and commanding, as he swiftly led her out of the ballroom and into a quiet corridor nearby.
Eloise stumbled after him, her stride too short to keep up with his long one, and tugged on his arm, trying to release her hand.