Chapter Four
A quarter of an hour later, Felix finally made an appearance in the drawing room.
Immediately, his gaze found Caroline within the crush as she was talking within a group of people.
Damn, but she was beautiful in that navy gown with silver accents.
Two glittering combs in her dark hair provided an extra bit of whimsy and drew his attention to her face.
It had been much too dark in the parlor to discern the wash of freckles on her upper cheeks and bridge of her nose, but they were one of his favorite features of hers.
What the hell was wrong with him to not spend much time with her this past autumn?
Tonight, she was a vision, of course, but every other day, she was his ideal of what a life partner should be—kind, patient, intelligent, funny, alluring, understanding, accepting.
More than that, likely, but he couldn’t think straight.
All he wanted was to spirit her away and do wicked things to her until he could secure her hand…
or until she could reassure him that all would be well.
It had taken every ounce of his willpower and control not to claim her body right there in the parlor against the wall, rushed and wild like an animal.
At least they had heat in common. Anything else? God, he hoped so. Instead of rising to the challenge of showing her that he was a good catch, he’d cocked up his courting of her, and had given her naught but inconsistency.
A rush of emotion assailed him as he continued to watch her in the midst of a group of her contemporaries.
Yes, she was certainly ingrained into society, so what, exactly, would he bring to her that might help her in the future?
He couldn’t begin to fathom, but if he should screw his courage to the sticking place soon, he would ask her to marry him during the upcoming Christmastide season.
That would prove the height of romantic, wouldn’t it?
And women appreciated that, didn’t they?
There was an upcoming ball, and it might be just the thing to send them both walking a new path, but would she appreciate a proposal of marriage occurring in such a public venue?
Why was everything so complicated?
When someone jostled his shoulder as they moved past him, Felix was yanked, temporarily, from his thoughts.
Caroline had broken away from the group of people and was now talking with a woman who clearly was one of her friends.
When a man drifted close and made what seemed like a joke, and she smiled slightly, a rush of hot desire slammed into him along with a hint of possessiveness.
Damn but he didn’t want another man to turn her head.
Frankly, he’d pound the stuffing out of anyone who tried to steal her away from him, so if that meant staking a claim in front of all society that she belonged to him, then he would.
However, first, he needed to sort his thoughts and perhaps write a speech, for he wasn’t the type of man for flowery words or rambling poetic speeches.
Would she care or did she crave that sort of romance?
It was something else he had no idea about.
With a huff, Felix moved through the crowded room. He wasn’t in the mood to socialize, yet he had been forced into it, but the only thing that made it worthwhile—besides being with Caroline—was seeing a couple of acquaintances there.
“Good evening, Valencia,” he said to one of the men he used to serve with.
The tall, slender man with olive-hued skin nodded.
His family hailed from a small village in Spain, where they tended orange groves, but Captain Valencia had decided to come to England after the war for a time.
Eventually he would return to his homeland, but for now, he was enjoying himself and determined to take a bride before traveling again.
“It is lovely to see you again, Kourier.”
“I’m surprised to find you at a rout. You’re usually not one for society functions,” Felix said as he kept his gaze on Caroline.
“Neither are you, yet here you are.” He chuckled.
“And I believe I know why.” The captain moved closer to Felix’s location, for it was quite loud in the room.
“Do you have an interest in Beckham’s oldest daughter?
” He glanced in her direction while she chatted with the same woman, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. Was she not having fun?
“Perhaps, why?”
“I have heard rumors that her father is anxious to marry her off. Since the younger daughter is taking the ton by storm, he wants the older daughter off his hands as well.” The captain shrugged.
“I spoke with her brother a couple of days ago at one of the clubs. They want to push her toward Cloverfield.”
“What?” Shock plowed into Felix’s chest. “Cloverfield?” Surely, he hadn’t heard that correctly.
“I’m afraid so.” The captain nodded. “Heard it from Ives’ own mouth.”
Felix stared at his friend as denial poured through his chest. “Cloverfield is twenty years her senior.” Though he was an earl and surely it would be a feather in Beckham’s cap to have such a man high on the instep in the family, the man was all wrong for Caroline.
“He certainly won’t know what to do with a woman like her or how to handle her.
” Hell, could he even bed a woman at his age?
That was largely unfair, since Cloverfield was only eight years older than he was. It still didn’t make the prospects any better.
“Indeed.” The captain nodded. “My point in bringing up the subject is, if you have the interest in Miss Ives, you’d best show it, for I’ll wager by year’s end, she’ll be strongarmed into an engagement with Cloverfield.
Beckham’s desperate to make connections and he’s using his daughters to do it.
No doubt he hopes it’ll solidify his alliances in parliament. ”
“Damn, I’d forgotten about his aspirations there.
” Felix shook his head. “What a bastard.” And he couldn’t stop watching her from across the room.
A trace of cold fear went down his spine.
Would he lose her to a match completely wrong for her because he was afraid of rejection?
Because he was afraid that he’d been alone for too long?
Afraid that he wasn’t a complete man and therefore not worthy of her?
After she’d already reassured him that such thinking was false? “Well, thank you for the warning.”
“You are quite welcome. I just didn’t want you to be taken by surprise.”
“Indeed.” When a man more her age drifted into Caroline’s vicinity and engaged her in conversation, Felix frowned.
She was more animated than she’d been when talking to the lady, and jealousy stabbed through his chest. Had he delayed for too long in thinking she’d always be available? A sense of panic set in.
I must make this right. Tomorrow, perhaps. Will that be too late?
The captain cleared his throat. “If you want my insight? The two of you would no doubt prove well matched.”
His frown deepened. “Why would you say that?”
“You are opposites, from what I can ascertain. Where she is bubbly and happy, you are full of scowls and grouchy. A couple of balances who will keep each other accountable.” His friend offered an encouraging grin.
“Do what you need to secure her hand, Kourier. Women like her won’t remain single for long. ”
“I quite agree.” Then he heaved a sigh. “If you’ll excuse me? I probably need to keep my memory in her mind.”
“Well, actually, you need to drag her off and ruin the hell out of her to secure her promise,” the other man said with a chuckle.
Heat climbed up the back of Felix’s neck. “There is that.”
The captain grinned. “Good dowry on her head, I’m told. An incentive to have her married off, no doubt.”
“Oh, I don’t give two braces about the money.”
“So says the man who tells anyone who will listen that London is too expensive for retired military veterans.”
Felix shrugged. He only wanted her. “Too bad her father isn’t keen on my suit.”
“While I understand that, when did an obstacle ever prevent you from taking on a mission and finishing it?”
Despite the situation, Felix chuckled. “I can be quite determined when I want to.”
The captain clapped a hand to his shoulder. “Good luck to you. I expect an invitation to your wedding.”
“Ha. Don’t rush my fences. It’s an uphill battle from here.
” Yet he was buoyed by his friend’s faith in him.
Making his way through the crowded room was easier when helped again by prodding people with his cane.
Finally, he reached her side. “Excuse me, young man, but I require a word with Miss Ives in private.” Immediately, he dismissed the young hopeful, and when the man didn’t take the hint, he glowered.
“Go prey on one of the myriads of other women here tonight.”
With a huff, the younger man excused himself from Caroline, and then finally, Felix was alone with her.
“How rude you are, Major,” she whispered but there was a grin curving her lips.
“Not really. I needed to speak with you, and he was in my way.”
Surprise flickered in her eyes to compete with a low-grade heat that would give them away if she wasn’t careful. “I am glad to see you again.”
He snorted. “You just saw me,” he said in a barely audible voice as he maneuvered her closer to a wall and out of the way of foot traffic.
“While that is true, it doesn’t stop how I feel.” She fluttered her open fan at her face, presumably to cool her overheated skin.
“Mmm.” It took every ounce of willpower not to touch her, for that would betray his interest and certainly cause the gossips to pounce. “No matter, shutter your gaze, my dear, lest we land into scandal.”
A soft giggle issued from her that went straight to his stones. “My apologies, Major.” She lowered her gaze to his cravat. “I can’t help it, for all I want to do is put my hands, my mouth on you. Or, at the very least, assist in one of your cases.”
Shit, if she continued to talk like that, he’d embarrass himself with an overstimulated prick.
“Hush, Caroline,” he warned in a low voice.
“I’m here to ask you to come driving with me tomorrow, perhaps around midday?
I’d like to take you to the British Museum or the Tower’s menagerie.
Afterward, we can go to a tea café for some conversation and time well spent. ”
A blush went through her cheeks. Once more, she raised her gaze to his, but the desire in her blue eyes was still there, and reflecting what he felt as well. “I would enjoy that every much.”
“Excellent.” He nodded. “Will you tell your brother or aunt?”
“Andrew doesn’t need to know, and it’s doubtful I’ll even see him before noon anyway.
” Her shrug briefly pulled her bodice tight over her breasts.
“However, I will inform my aunt, and I’m sure she will give me her permission.
Oddly, I believe her money is on you over any of my father’s candidates for suitors. That is, if she were a wagering woman.”
“From what little I’ve seen of her, it’s quite likely she is.” They both shared a laugh, then he nodded. “I’m anxious to spend the Christmastide season with you.” It was time to solidify his claim to her. He needed to stop being such a damned nodcock about things.
“Oh?” Surprise once more danced through her expression.
“Indeed.” Briefly, he touched a hand to hers before putting space between them.
“In fact, we should make plans. Oh, and my sister is in Town with her children through Christmas Eve. I’d like for you to come over and spend time with them too.
” That was all he was willing to discuss within such a crowd.
“That sounds fun.” When she smiled, his world tilted slightly. “Thank you for including me.”
“Of course.” They couldn’t stand here and talk of shallow topics all night, and frankly, he had a speech to plan. “Would you like a glass of punch, Miss Ives?”
“That would be lovely, Major. Thank you.”
“I shall return shortly.” Damn, but he wanted to have the right to call her by her given name all the time, to be in her company whenever he wanted, to show the ton she belonged to him, but until he asked her that all-important question, they were stuck being overly polite and unable to be alone.
Hopefully, all that would change soon.