The Wedding Affair (Rebel Hearts 1)

“The offer of making your home here stands. I have done everything I can to save her from her own foolishness. I could use a good man to eat breakfast with now and then too.” He smiled. “Now, do not let me keep you a moment longer. I am sure you have much to think about and much to do this evening before you leave for London at first light. And also precious little time left ashore to find a solution to the problem of what to do with Gabriel Jennings. He requires a ship, and you could have a hard time convincing just anyone to step aside.”

“Thank you.” Felix smiled. “Thank you for allowing me this chance to win her back.”

“Keep her this time.” The duke rubbed his eyes. “That is enough for today, Captain. If you would be so good as to send Morgan to me, I would appreciate it. Take the cat out too.”

Felix hooked the cat under his arm. “Of course.”

“Wait, a word of advice from an old man. Only the very lucky get a second chance in love. Do you feel yourself lucky, Felix Hastings?”

“I believe so,” he answered honestly.

“You should work on that as quick as you can.” He waved Felix away and then held his hand to his brow.

The man looked bone tired, and Felix swiftly found Morgan and sent him to attend the duke. At the stairs he came face-to-face with Sally’s betrothed—a man he actively tried to avoid.

Lord Ellicott raised his snooty nose in the air as he glanced at the cat in his arms. “Cannot abide cats,” Ellicott pronounced as they passed each other.

Felix paused to watch him go as Hercules began to purr loudly. He scratched the beast under the chin. “Now that is one more thing in my favor. She has to love me all the more for appreciating you.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Sally let herself into Felix’s dark bedchamber and shut the door, finding herself alone. He had not come up as yet, but she was too nervous to wait until the house had gone to bed entirely before seeking him out. Something had changed. She could feel it in the air, and although he had not said anything, she feared she knew what was coming.

He was leaving.

She prowled the room, stroking Felix’s possessions, then took up his uniform to hold to her face.

“Do you still do that? Touch everything?” Felix asked as he joined her after closing the door quietly. Even in the dark his smile was dazzling, and deep in her heart she wished he would always look at her that way.

“Occasionally,” she whispered.

“I have something to say to you, and I fear you will not be happy,” Felix told her, frowning.

She took a breath. “You are leaving.”

“Yes, tomorrow.”

She had expected it, but the news made her sad anyway. “At dawn?”

“Yes. I have sent word to Jennings to expect me, and we will make our way back to London and to the admiralty together.”

“Not running straight to your ship? I am impressed.”

“I promised to help Jennings regain a command, and then I will go.”

“Of course.” Her eyes stung. “You are an excellent friend.”

“Am I still a terrible man?”

She met his gaze, pained by his questions. Part of her still wanted to scream that his ship ranked first in his responsibilities, but the other reminded her she was still marrying another man. There were only a few days left to change her mind. “No,” she whispered. “I do not think that anymore.”

He kissed the top of her head and began to strip off his evening attire. “Your father finally talked to me today. Freddie’s ship is missing. He should have returned months ago, and your father asked me to sail off to find him.”

Sally enjoyed the view of Felix removing his clothes. There was comfort in being alone with him at a time like this. Contentment and familiarity. “Father has said nothing. I do not believe mother knows, or she would have mentioned it at dinner.”

“Your father does not want to tell her, or does not know how to.”

She was not surprised after all she had learned of her parents’ marriage this week. “She will not take it well, but since the admiralty is keen to rescue Freddie, she will feel a little better.”