Felicia had sighed to answer, “I don’t want to collect hearts.”
“You may not, but I fear, my girl, you shall. Why only look at you!” Daffy had sighed and picked up her book to read.
Felicia let it go and was glancing at the pages of the morning paper in her lap when the morning room doors opened and the duke strode inside.
A gasp formed in her throat. She hadn’t seen him in two days and had, in fact, felt as though she was about to go mad with missing him. He stood a moment, looking to her like a god in his blue superfine, his top hat in his ungloved hands. He was so tall, so broad, and with his black silky waves windblown about his handsome, too handsome face, stunning.
He stood staring at her, even as she pulled her legs out from under herself and sat up straight. He went to her as though no one else inhabited the room and bent over her fingers. “Felicia.”
“Your Grace,” she whispered.
Daphne cleared her throat. “Hallo, brother … good to see you too. Where have you been?”
“Where have I been?” He seemed momentarily befuddled. “Oh, I called yesterday, did your man not tell you? The two of you were out shopping.”
“And last night? I thought you might join us for a little family dinner. Freddy invited one of his friends over, and we had a lovely time.”
“Freddy’s friend? Who?” he was momentarily diverted.
“Tony … you know him, young squire, has a place near Somerset, in fact.”
“Ah, young scoundrel.” He eyed Felicia. “I hope he didn’t turn your head? I hear he is a charmer.”
Felicia beamed. “Oh, he is, indeed, very good fun.”
“Hmm,” the duke answered.
“So, where were you? You didn’t even reply to my invitation,” his sister pursued.
“Ah, my man got a hold of me and, as it turned out, I had to take a quick ride over to Billings House.”
“Billings? Whatever for?”
“Well, inherited the damn place from Uncle, and it is in a bit of a mess. Have to make a decision. Do I keep it or sell it to that American who seems to want it?”
“What are you going to do?”
“Not sure, thought Felicia might like to accompany me now and give me her opinion of the place,” he said softly.
His sister eyed him thoughtfully. “Why, that is an excellent notion. I fully agree, Glen, Felicia must see it before you let it go.”
Felicia watched his face as he glanced thoughtfully at his sister and said, “Need we bring her maid with us?”
“Nonsense. You are her guardian. Of course you can take her to see a property on your own. Besides, ’tis only just across from Hyde Park. Exceptional neighborhood.”
“Right then,” said the duke, holding out his bent arm. “Shall we?”
Felicia almost squealed as she got to her feet. “I shall fetch my cloak.”
* * *
Daffy eyed him as Felicia hurried out of the room. “Why all of a sudden, Glen … do you need to inspect this property?”
“The dratted American needs an answer, he says, so I suppose we must give him one, and I do want Felicia’s opinion.”
“I see,” she said, and her eyes twinkled. “Indeed, of course you do.” She sighed. “Very well, then, but don’t keep her too long, as we have the rout tonight, and it is Felicia’s first formal event, and you must be there … right?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said softly.