Madcap Miss

“Take heed, sir, for this is the truth. I went to you—and not because I was vulnerable,” she said, her chin up. “I am never vulnerable.”

“Are you not?” he said doubtfully. “Good girl.”

Good girl? She almost rounded on him and wagged her finger. This was not how she imagined their ride would be.

They proceeded for only a short jaunt before he said they should get back before anyone remarked upon their absence.

She said nothing to this, and a glance at his profile told her that he was certainly still troubled. Her instinct told her he wanted to say more—that it was on the tip of his tongue—but he was holding off.

What? What did he want to say?

Felicia considered this notion, and her brain developed yet another road to pursue.

Oh, yes, she had seen more than lust in his dear, warm, silver eyes last night, and now, again, she saw that same warm light. All she needed to do was to get him to look inward and see it as well.

* * *

Scott had leaned into Felicia and asked if dinner could be served in his room.

“Why, dearest … are you not feeling well?”

“To be honest, I don’t want to fuss but feel a bit unsteady on my feet,” he answered.

Thus it was that dinner was served within the cozy confines of his bedroom on a small round table that had been set up near the slowly burning fire in the grate.

Scott was, Felicia noted, in spite of his fatigue, in good spirits, and dismissed his mild complaint as his color and smile were both, she thought, quite normal.

She and Scott were left alone for a bit, and he frowned at her and said, “I know, Felicia, that you think I have no ready understanding when it comes to er … people’s emotions, but it isn’t true, you know. For example, I know that you are not feeling quite the thing yourself.”

“Nonsense.” She tried to laugh this off. “Whatever are you talking about? I feel just fine. And I never said you did not have an understanding. What I said was that men in general do not always perceive what is right before their eyes … when it comes to women.”

“Well, that may be true,” he said, chewing over this. Then he laughed. “Still, something is off with you. I have known you too long not to know that.”

“What makes you say so?”

“For one thing, it is in your eyes, Flip, especially when you happen to be looking at Ashton. I know you like him—”

“Stop.” She pointed a finger at him.

“No, I won’t stop. Why should I? You never do. I tell you what … he has been looking grim all day as well. Have you two had a row? I tell you what, it would be too bad if you have upset him. Damned good man.” He shook his head. “It isn’t that, though, is it?”

“We have not had a row. Absurd boy. What has gotten into your head?”

There was nothing more to be said at that moment, as Ashton had arrived, a glass of something in his hand, which he sipped as he entered the room. Behind him were two serving girls, who went ahead and set the table.

Conversation between the three was lively, and Scott’s concerns were set aside until Scott pushed away his food, frowned towards Ashton, who suddenly seemed absorbed in his own thoughts, turned a narrowed eye to Felicia, and said loudly, “Well, well, Flip, ol’ girl. I know what we need to liven up the evening. What say you to a game of cards?”

Felicia eyed him and smiled before turning to Ashton. “No, I don’t think so, but perhaps you and Mr. Ashton?”

“Mr. Ashton?” retorted the gentleman in question with a touch of impatience. “I thought we had settled on Glen?”

She inclined her head and her lashes fluttered. She saw Scott watching them intently as though trying to piece together a puzzle that had him baffled.

Scott tried again. “Come on now, surely you cannot deny us a little game of cards, Flip—that isn’t like you.”

Once again she eyed Scott and was struck by the worry in his eyes. “Oh, how selfish of me. Of course, if that is what you really want. Cards, it is.” She put on a brave face and said, “I will be but a moment and fetch them, but I tell you so that you will listen, Scott, I shall not play cribbage!” So saying she laughed and went off.

Scott watched her leave and looked at Ashton to say, “Don’t know what has come over Flip. She is never one to pout, and I’d swear that was what she has been doing all day.”