Page 29 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
The tension between Gabriel and Gemma was unbearable, and Felicity had been grateful to escape the room. She walked hurriedly down the hall to put distance between herself and the tension and found herself in a secluded library. Felicity wasn’t much for reading but she admired the architecture of the vast library. She also needed a moment to compose herself before leaving.
She sat on a chair near the sciences section, taking deep breaths to calm her nerves. A noise within the stacks of books alerted her to someone’s presence.
“Hello?” Felicity called out.
“Who's there?” A male voice responded.
Felicity would know that voice anywhere as it had belonged to the star of most of her dreams.
It was Hugh Anderson, naturally.
“It’s me,” she responded loudly.
“Lady Felicity,” Hugh appeared before her. “What are you doing here? And without a chaperone.”
Felicity’s eyes widened as she realized the predicament they were in. This could reflect poorly on them both if anyone were to walk in on them.
They were alone. Utterly alone, in fact. No one was around to see or hear anything. Just the two of them in a serendipitous meeting. That thought made Felicity’s heart race. She was alone with Hugh, and anything could happen. It was scintillating.
On the outside she was the epitome of a lady. In Hugh’s presence she was willing to risk everything just to brush her fingers against his. She felt wilder, and untamed.
“I was just trying to escape the Gemma and Gabriel tension, and I found myself here,” Felicity explained.
Hugh nodded in understanding as he approached her.
He had a book in his hand, something about modern sciences.
Felicity knew Hugh was smart. He was a solicitor for a reason but seeing him with a science book made her realize just how vast his knowledge ran. It made her even more interested in him.
“Well, you should go, before someone catches us here.”
“There’s no one around, everyone’s in the drawing room.” Felicity stood up, startling Hugh, and causing him to drop his book.
Rushing forward, Felicity and Hugh’s heads collided as they both reached for the book.
“Ow,” Felicity moaned out as she fell to the floor.
Hugh reached a hand down and helped her up.
She stumbled to her feet resulting in Hugh pulling her in close.
Felicity and Hugh gazed into each other's eyes as their faces drew closer and closer to one another.
Going on instinct, Felicity kissed Hugh’s cheek. This was indeed a terribly bold move. She immediately felt the heat within her face.
Both of them took a step back, startled by her action.
“Thank you,” Felicity said. “For catching me.”
“You are welcome, Felicity.”
With that, Felicity hurried out of the room. She was more than slightly embarrassed. What had come over her? Her boldness stunned her and exhilarated her at the same time.
As she exited the library, she leaned against its doors and took in deep heaving breaths to calm her racing heart. She giggled, a nervous reaction.
She and Hugh had just had a passionate moment and she wanted more. Oh, she wanted a great deal more.
Chapter 14
