Chapter Eleven
That afternoon
Felix tried to ignore looking directly into Caroline’s eyes once they were back in the carriage, for dark desire and wicked pleasure lay reflected there in the dull, overcast light from outside.
“Put that out of your mind.”
One of her black eyebrows rose with inquiry. “Whatever do you mean?” Then, some of the tension was broken when she gave into a shiver that racked her shoulders.
The board over the window where the glass should have been wasn’t the best at keeping out the cold December breeze.
“You are gazing at me as if you wish to gobble me up.” And knowing that sent far too much interest into his shaft.
“Perhaps I do.” When she shifted on the bench, one of her knees jostled his. Heated awareness went through his leg. “In fact, I want to throw you down somewhere and have my way with you. It’s been on my mind since our bit of scandal yesterday.”
Heat went up the back of his neck. “Hopefully, we can enjoy some time alone before Christmas arrives.”
“I suppose that will have to do.” When her lips turned slightly downward in a pout, Felix nearly threw himself onto his knees to beg her for the wicked things she’d promised, but he exercised control. “By the by, I meant what I said to the widow.”
“Oh, beyond passively exerting your claim to me?” When a faint blush stained her cheeks, he grinned. “I might be a man, but I know enough to catch a thread of possession when I hear it.”
“Do stop, Major. I don’t know what you’re referring to.”
He snorted. “Fair enough. What are you talking about, then?”
“I’m going to accompany you to the gaming hell, and I’ll do so by wearing a disguise.”
“And you believe I’ll let you put yourself in certain scandal or possible danger?” Seconds later, his imagination jogged into dark places when he thought of seeing her clad in breeches and a man’s shirt. Good God, how could she think to go anywhere with her legs on display like that?
“Firstly, I don’t need your permission to go where I will, Major Kourier.
” There was a certain hardness underlying the dulcet tone of her voice that had him sitting a bit straighter on his bench.
“And secondly, we are partners. That means I go where you go, protect you as you have promised to protect me. If that is into a gaming hell, so be it.”
It was odd, this having a fiancée and knowing that she would fiercely be there for him if he needed that support. For far too long he’d been by himself, had looked after himself, had relied on himself. Now he was obliged to make room for someone else. Could he let her in that much?
Not having anything erudite to say, he nodded. “After all of that, I’d be a nodcock to deny you that freedom, hmm?”
When she grinned at him, his world tilted, and he had the distinct feeling that nothing would ever be the same again. “I knew you were an intelligent man.”
“How discerning of you.” He sat back against the squabbed bench. It might not have been as comfortable or luxurious as what a rich or titled man could have owned, but he didn’t put much stock in possessions. “Hopefully, after Twelfth Night, I’ll be able to have the carriage window repaired.”
“That will be most welcome. The board is quite ugly and makes for cold trips.” She rested her hands in her lap. “Out of all the people we’ve interviewed, who do you think killed Lord Withington?”
“It’s difficult to say. Everyone had a motive. Hell, more people than that had a motive.” This was a complex case. “I think it will prove difficult to find the killer.”
“Yet you will if only to definitively clear your name since it was your knife.”
“Indeed.” In fact, he wanted that knife back. “I need to stop by the morgue at some point tomorrow.”
Caroline nodded. “I look forward to it.”
Of course, she would come with him. “Since the hell doesn’t open until the evening hours, you might as well accompany me home. Felicity will be glad to see you.”
Which meant more and more, he was being pulled into the domestic circle regardless of whether he wished it or not.
No 37 Russell Square
Mayfair, London
No sooner had Felix brought Caroline up to the drawing room and had settled beside her on a sofa with hopes of stealing a few kisses than his sister sailed into the space with a mischievous expression.
“I’d hoped you would be home soon.” Felicity came over to him and bussed his cheek. “And it’s even more perfect that you brought Miss Ives!”
He hated to ask, but he needed to. “Why is that?”
“Well, the boys have been asking to go out in search for Christmastide greenery, so I thought you could spend time with them and go out to do that..” Mischief sparkled in his sister’s eyes. “Also, Miss Ives can witness how you interact around children.”
“What about the girls?” God help him if the young misses wished to come as well.
“Helena is with a friend this afternoon. Athena wanted to stay with me and continue making decorations herself. Since you’ve not spent that much time with the boys, this is a good opportunity.”
Shit. What did I ever do to warrant such abuse?
“Oh, I’d hoped to have a leisurely tea and rest up before I need to pay another call this evening.” It seemed that any sort of private time with Caroline was thwarted.
“It won’t kill you to spend time with your nephews, Felix,” his sister said as she sat next to Caroline. “You don’t mind going out to find greenery, do you Miss Ives?” Before Caroline could answer, his sister gasped and grabbed his fiancée’s left hand. “Did my brother finally come up to scratch?”
A blush went through Caroline’s cheeks. “He did. Yesterday. Isn’t the ring gorgeous?”
“It reminds me of Christmas.” As Felicity moved Caroline’s hand, the light caught the gems and made them sparkle like mad. She glanced at him. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d shopped for a ring?”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t your business, and at the time, I didn’t know when I would ask for her hand.”
“How exciting!” Felicity fairly bounced on the sofa. “I can’t wait for the family to know that you’ll be married! Mama is going to balk, of course.”
Caroline frowned. “Why is that?”
“Oh, Mama always hoped Felix would marry an heiress, but I don’t see how she can’t be pleased with the daughter of a viscount.
” Felicity patted Caroline’s hand. “You’ll do splendidly, I think.
” Then she pulled a face. “You’ll have to meet our mother soon.
” A snort of laughter escaped her. “I wish you good luck.”
“That’s enough, Felicity.” God, having his whole life suddenly on display was one of his fears. “Go ready the boys for the outing, before I change my mind.” Once his sister had left the room, he heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry about her.”
Caroline’s soft chuckle went straight to his stones. “I think it’s sweet. Where my sister is quite self-absorbed, your sister just wishes for a connection between the two of you. Besides, it will be fun to take your nephews on an outing. It’s been an age since I’ve been around young children.”
“Well, Alexander and Elias are seven and five respectively. Helena, you’ve met, is fifteen and Athena is thirteen though a bit more awkward and sensitive than her sister.” He frowned. “The boys will be a handful, I think.”
“Stop fretting, Felix.” Caroline caught one of his hands in hers. “If you are to be a father someday, this might prove helpful.”
Did he truly want that life, though?
Regent’s Park
Oddly, being in the boy’s company wasn’t as terrible as he’d thought. Though they were both quite curious and very chatty, they were generally well-behaved. He’d expected such from Felicity’s children, but he honestly thought that once the lads were away from their mother, they would have run wild.
That was not the case. In fact, they tended to stick close to either him or Caroline, and they were both thrilled that there was a light snow falling.
At some point, while Alexander went with Felix and the footman to gather greenery a second footman had cut, Elias stayed with Caroline as they strolled more slowly toward the scene.
Once when he glanced back at them, Elias had slipped a hand into hers, and Felix’s chest tightened with emotions he didn’t understand.
But not five minutes later, the brothers were back together again, bickering and doing some good-natured fighting over who would drag the boughs back to the carriage.
The footmen didn’t seem to mind, and one of them even let Alexander try his hand at using the hand saw to cut some of the larger branches.
Seizing on the unexpected chance to be partially alone with Caroline, Felix walked her a bit away from the scene while keeping an eye on the boys at the same time.
“I wonder if Felicity thinks her sons are like me and our oldest brother when we were young.” The thought made him grin. “God, we were horrid to our governesses. Always playing tricks and jokes.”
“No doubt you were a terror.” Caroline smiled. “However, I also think you’ve lost that spontaneous and humorous side of you during your stint in the military.”
She wasn’t wrong. “If not before. My father was a big reason I went away to begin with. Honestly, my parents fought all the time. It was hell on the household.”
Childish laughter rang out on the chilly December air. Another smile curved her lips, and he wanted nothing more than to kiss her right there in the park. “Can you see yourself as a father?”
“Uh.” Felix cringed. It was one thing for his sister to ask that of him, but quite another for his fiancée to want to know. “To be honest, no, I cannot.”
“Oh?” Shock mixed with disappointment in her eyes. “Why?”
Damn. Had he mucked up his engagement already? “I’m too old.” It was an easy excuse.