Page 23 of Charming the Accidental Suitor
He’d hired servants to look after her and had endured relentless questions over dinner now and again, but for the most part, he’d been able to give her some freedom and maintained his in turn.
It had worked out well for both of them.
She cleared her throat, trying to shake off this feeling of hurt at his words. It wasn’t as though she misunderstood their relationship, but she’d thought he’d started to think of her as…
Well, maybe a young friend if not a dear niece? After all, he said himself she was the only one of his acquaintance who could best him at chess. And just yesterday she’d made him laugh over breakfast. Didn’t that count for something?
She forced a smile. “I try my best to inconvenience you as little as possible, Uncle. I’m glad you approve.”
He stopped eating and gaped at her. Then he let out a guffaw and slapped his knee.
Felicity stared. Her stern uncle actuallyslapped his kneefrom amusement.
“Did I…Did I say something amusing?”
He swiped at his eyes. “Inconvenience me,” he murmured through laughter. “My dear, you are as inconvenient as it gets.” He arched his brows. “Do you know how many chaperones and governesses I’ve had to hire over the years? Not one of them could keep up with your mischief.”
Her cheeks burned. Ah. So…perhaps she hadn’t been succeeding as well as she’d thought. She wet her lips, trying to form an apology, but he continued on.
“No, no. What I meant was, I’ve always admired your independent spirit.” He paused with his knife in the air as if to make his point. “Even if it did have its downsides.”
She relaxed a little. “Thank you for putting up with all my mischief, Uncle. I likely don’t say that often enough.”
He used his knife to wave away her thanks. “It’s for the best. As I always tell your parents, you keep me young.”
Her eyes widened. Did he say that? Truly? No one had ever told her this.
“Besides…” He dug into his food again. “Your parents wouldn’t know what to do with you.” His gaze met hers and it sparkled with mirth. “It’s difficult when the child is more clever than the parents, you know. It’s a recipe for trouble.”
Her lips parted. He hadn’t just said…
Had he?!
His wink was so quick she nearly missed it. “Now. My point is, you’ve never been one to sit and sulk when you don’t get your way. You’re a doer. An action taker. You’re decisive and stubborn.”
“You say that like it’s a good thing.” Her mind had drifted back to Albright. To the heat in his eyes when he’d called her stubborn. The butterflies in her belly still fluttered whenever she thought of that moment. The sight of his cool, calm demeanor giving way to such…such…
Passion, she supposed. It seemed so unfamiliar coming from him. So out of place. And yet it had stirred something inside of her that was still unsettled, even now.
She looked down at her plate with a sigh.
Albright certainly didn’t seem to think her stubbornness was a good thing.
Her uncle, meanwhile, seemed to be mulling over her words.
“Good is a relative term,” he finally said.
Felicity blinked. “Pardon?”
He set down his utensil and when her uncle looked at her, she realized he was actually seeing her, unlike her mother who’d avoided looking at her or had stared straight through her.
“Your being here in my home, for example.” He lifted his wine glass. “That is good for me.”
Felicity pressed her lips together. She was not one to cry like a ninny even when she hurt herself. She certainly wouldn’t succumb now. But her chest ached at the kind sentiment.
Her uncle leaned back in his chair. “Your mother’s visit today?” He made a face as if he’d smelled something foul. Felicity smothered a giggle. “That was…not good for me. She interrupted my day and made my housekeeper cry.”
Felicity’s urge to laugh died, her eyes widened. “No.”
