The Wedding Affair (Rebel Hearts 1)

“Yes, my dear?”

“That was actually better than I remember.”

“For me too.” He kissed her brow. “For me too.”

He kissed her soundly and curled around her, determined never to let her go no matter what obstacle was placed in his path next. They had to figure this out somehow.

They had the rest of their lives ahead to love one another.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

He woke to loud purring. Felix opened one eye carefully and stared up into the face of Sally’s largest cat. “Hercules. What the devil?” He shoved the cat aside. “Who let you in?”

To his complaint the cat said nothing, and unafraid of his poor welcome, continued purring very loudly as he nosed about Felix’s hands. He glanced at the door and found it ajar. “All right, I am up,” he called.

He dragged himself to a sitting position and glanced around the empty room. The sun was beating at his windows, casting bright stripes across the floor where it peeked through the drapes. He felt good. Comfortable. “What time is it?”

“Long past rising,” a hesitant female voice whispered through the crack of the door. “You’ll be late for your practice against Lord Cameron if you do not move soon.”

“Lord Cameron, of course. Thank you for reminding me.” He thought a moment, trying to pinpoint the owner of the voice that he still could not see. “Louisa?”

“Do not hurt him.” Whoever it was rushed away without revealing her identity. He could not blame her. He was naked under the sheet. He had spent the night making love to Sally, and he must have fallen asleep first. He had never heard her leave his bed, but he was glad she was gone. He wanted her, but he did not want her family to be disappointed in her behavior.

Behavior he happened to crave.

Felix threw himself from bed, jerked his trousers on, and then quickly closed the door properly so he did not shock anyone who happened to walk past. He threw water onto his face and then shaved before dressing in clothes he did not mind getting a little cut up. Not that he expected Lord Cameron to possess great skill with a blade. He was looking forward to an easy challenge and offering instruction rather than a battle of life or death.

As an afterthought, he tucked the cat under his arm, walked from the room, down the staircase, and took the cat outside with him to the terrace.

Sally was waiting, hand on her hip. “Where was he this time?”

“Waking me.” He grinned as he dropped the cat onto the top of the stone wall she stood beside. This morning she seemed impossibly more beautiful and irresistible than ever. “Some adventurous soul let him inside my bedchamber to ensure I got up in time.”

She lavished attention on the cat, then looked him over. “I thought all captains rose with the sunrise.”

“Must be the country air and the energetic late nights,” he said. His weariness was entirely due to having Sally waltz back into his bedchamber. Satisfying her hunger had been a wild ride. “Has Lord Cameron arrived?”

“He is speaking with the duke round the corner, through the study window.”

Felix grinned. “As good a vantage point as any. We can practice on the lawn below the study.”

“I think Cameron’s nervous.” She bit her lip, and Felix considered leaning in and kiss her good morning.

He resisted the temptation by sheer force of will. “There is nothing to be nervous about. I meant to ask you last night, what has become of Lord Ellicott?”

“He had business elsewhere.”

“Business? Well, his absence last night was my gain.” He stroked her cheek softly. “And I hope yours too.”

“Yes. I think so. Felix, we need to talk.”

“So we do, but it will have to wait until I have tested your neighbor’s skill with a blade.” He strode off, shrugging out of his coat so he could face Lord Cameron with the fewest impediments to his movements. “Good morning,” he called and then looked harder at his opponent. He laughed. “What are you wearing?”

“Protection,” Louisa quipped with a smug smile. “He is not accustomed to fighting as navy men do.”

“We are sparring, my lady. I am not obligated to slice him to ribbons at the first provocation.” He pointed at Lord Cameron. “Take that lot off or yield now.”

“I told you he would not like it,” Lord Cameron complained to Louisa as he shrugged out of the specially padded waistcoat and arm guards and tossed them to a waiting servant.