Page 30 of A Secret Infatuation
The words sounded agreeable enough, but Robert did not look happy, and Felix grew uneasy. His mood likely sprang from one of two things. It either had to do with Lady Sophia, or the matter his father had called him to discuss. No, it could not be that, for that would not make him look thunderous. It must concern Lady Sophia. Well, Felix would delay the confrontation if he could.
“Your father sent me a letter, requesting that I come, and here you have me, all obedience.” Felix strove for a light tone.
Robert stood and went over to where a side table held a decanter of brandy. “Care for a glass?”
Felix was not in the mood for it, but he thought it would be more polite to say yes. “Thank you.”
Robert poured the drinks, handed one to Felix, and sat across from him. He drank, his eyes not straying from him. Felix leaned back, refusing to cower under such scrutiny. He had done nothing wrong. Besides, he’d learned at an early age that he had to stay strong with Robert, or with their social disparity, he would become nothing more than his lackey.
“It seems you are growing cozy with Lady Sophia.”
Felix set his glass down carefully. He would not deny it; nor would he offer anything more than was needed. “Lady Sophia is an admirable woman.”
“Her family is our closest connection. She is the woman I’ve had my eye on for many years. You are not ignorant of the fact,” he reminded Felix grimly.
Felix flicked his hands, forcing himself to relax. “I am aware of your interest and intentions. I was able to see it for myself. However, I am not aware of hers.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Robert shot back.
“It means,” Felix said carefully, “that I cannot say that I have detected any partiality on her side.”
“And so you mean to step in and attempt a bid for her hand, do you?” Robert was poised on the edge of his chair, looking ready to mill him down.
Felix shrugged and looked away. This was direct, more direct than he was ready to own. It was one thing to tell Lady Sophia that he had been watching her, which was how he was able to come so quickly to her assistance. It was another thing to admit to Robert that he was fully pursuing the lady because he could not stop thinking about her. How humiliating it would be should she turn him down with a reminder of their difference in wealth and status, of which he was readily aware.
When Felix did not answer, Robert downed the rest of his drink. “You are far beneath her in Society. I did not think I would need to remind you of that. I hardly think her family would agree to such a match.”
Felix leveled his eyes at Robert. “And since I am not proposing a match at present, I hardly find this discussion to the point.”
Robert stood, and Felix watched him. He knew Robert well enough to know that he was extremely put out, but that he wouldn’t likely begin a physical altercation.
“Just stop interfering where you don’t belong. Since you cannot hope to win her, don’t hinder my courtship. I’ll tell my father you are here.”
He did not wait for Felix’s reply and left the drawing room. Felix sat there for a long moment. He was glad he had not been forced to give an answer, as he did not know what to say. The conversation sat ill with him, for it brought into light the conundrum he was facing. His friend wished to make Lady Sophia his wife. She did not appear to return his regard. Felix, on the other hand, was hopelessly caught by her gentle manner and heart and would likely be the sort of husband she needed. But he was in some doubt of being in the position to advance his cause.
He did not wish to be at odds with Robert, but nor would he simply accept Robert’s orders and ignore the direction of his own heart. The moment of solitude went on long enough that his mind returned to his reasons for visiting. And just as he thought he would have to go in search of Lord Chawleigh, the baron entered the room.
“I was informed that you had arrived but was meeting with my man of business. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I believe Robert was here to entertain you for some of that time?”
“He was indeed.” Felix pointed at the two glasses. If it could be called entertaining. “I received your letter, and I have come.”
“Good, good.” The baron sat down and crossed one leg over the other.
With a sudden desire to put off the inevitable, Felix took control of the conversation. “I have just today received a letter from my father. He will be in London next week for the probate of Mr. Thurlow’s will and is traveling with my sister.”
“Is he? I was unaware Thurlow had made your father the executor of his will.” He glanced at Felix as though he could find the answer to his puzzle there. Then he relaxed his pose. “Your father must come and pay us a visit. You will let him know that I have invited him?”
Felix nodded. “I will.”
A beat of silence fell before Lord Chawleigh came to his point. “I have not brought up that matter I had written to you about concerning Robert’s future. I had hoped you might come and see me of your own accord with good news. What progress have you made on this matter?”
Felix felt ill. He should have responded right away that the request would be impossible to honor, but it had seemed too difficult a thing to do. He took a breath. “To own the truth, I have done nothing, for I don’t believe the matter will succeed.”
Lord Chawleigh looked at him strangely. Clearly it had not occurred to him that he might refuse. “Why ever not?”
“The admiral is for reform, which I think you know,” he said. “He used his influence outside of Parliament to make sure the Commission for Naval Inquiries was founded. He can hardly go against everything he believes in and render me a favor by giving a position to Robert based on connections rather than merit.”
“It is not a favor,” Lord Chawleigh said carefully, “so much as an obligation, wouldn’t you say? After all, your family owes much to me. Your father his living. You, your start in life.”
