Page 40 of A Secret Infatuation
“And what must the loser do?”
“He must kneel in the dirt and rub each lady’s boots until they shine, then lay down his handkerchief so they might walk over it.” His tone showed what he thought of such indignity.
To the earl this might seem like punishment, but Felix laughed. “Agreed. Now come and escort your sisters. The price of our race is that you must also assist them on the return.” The earl did his part dutifully until they had all reached the path, where Felix halted. “We will need someone to signal the start.”
Lady Camilla came up behind him and lifted a small blue reticule attached to her wrist. “I will do it.” Once he and Lord Poole were in place, she lifted it high and looked at them both. “On your marks. Go!”
Her reticule came down and Felix found himself running next to a very agile young man. However, he was not so far beyond youth himself and was determined not to do the earl any favors. Despite his noble intentions, at the very last second, the earl sprinted ahead and touched the oak first.
He laughed, pointing a finger at Felix. “It is a particular trick of mine. You thought I was running as fast as I was able, but I always save up my strength for the very end.”
“I will remember that.” Felix was out of breath and doubled over, leaning on his knees. “You are good at running. I shall not deny you your prize.”
“Well, I must say that for someone old, you acquitted yourself well.”
“Thank you,” Felix replied meekly.
They walked back to where the ladies stood, and Lord Poole wasted no time in folding his arms. “Mr. Harwood, you must now shine the ladies’ boots from the youngest to oldest.”
Felix nodded gravely. “You are very right. I have lost this round and must settle up.” He bent on one knee and whipped out his handkerchief, indicating for the youngest to step forward.
“Lady Matilda, with your permission?” He lifted his eyes and smiled at her, determined that he should not embarrass any of them. She kept her eyes fixed on the toes of her boots, peeping out from the hem of her skirt as he studiously shone the tips. “Is it to your satisfaction?”
She nodded and smiled at him. He lay down his handkerchief so she could walk over it, then shook the dust out of it. Next in line was his sister, and he repeated the procedure, much more at ease since he did not fear impropriety with her. “Is it acceptable, Megaboots?”
“They’re very shiny. I am sorry you must demean yourself so, but I must say you should have run faster.” With a twinkle in her eye, she curtsied primly and walked over his handkerchief.
Lady Camilla allowed him access to the tips of her boots, managing to retain modesty while showing her usual ease of manner. “What did you call your sister?”
Felix looked up at her, having forgotten about the nickname and belatedly regretting any embarrassment he might have caused her. “In this case, it was Megaboots, was it not, Megs? I make up silly names for her.”
“Hundreds of them,” Margaret agreed, laughing. So she had not been embarrassed. “He began it years ago as a way to encourage me to talk.”
“Very clever.” Lady Camilla smiled at his sister, then turned to him. “I am satisfied.”
She moved away before he could lay down his handkerchief, and Lady Sophia stepped up. He looked up at her, conscious of a desire to shower her with every form of gallantry, even kneeling before her and wiping the dust off her boots.
“Your brother must have been a great encouragement to you,” she said to Margaret.
“He is the best brother I could have asked for, and I know my younger sisters would say the same.”
Felix carefully applied the handkerchief to every corner of Lady Sophia’s boots, while she kept her eyes studiously on Margaret. “And how many sisters do you have?”
“I have three, all younger. Felix is my only brother.”
Lady Sophia looked down just as he raised his eyes. As their gazes crossed, his heart went still. “You are very fortunate,” she said, and he felt her smile go right through him.
In some confusion, he busied himself with laying down the handkerchief, but she carefully stepped over it. Then, he shook the dust from it, although it would be good for nothing but the wash. He stood and dusted off his pantaloons, then turned to the young earl.
“Do you declare yourself satisfied?”
“I am, sir. You are a good sport.” The earl saluted him and turned to walk forward, assuming everyone would follow. They did, and Felix found himself at Lady Sophia’s side. After a slight hesitation he asked, “May I give you my arm?” She nodded and slipped her hand around it.
“I wonder if I would not be so shy had I an elder brother to tease me like that. But my father was intimidating, and Evo is much younger.”
Felix looked ahead and saw that Evo had remembered to walk with Lady Matilda. Lady Camilla and Megs were talking together and appeared to need no assistance. Although Lady Sophia’s arm felt slender and her touch light, there was strength in the way she held herself that he admired. He suspected it extended to her character.
“Megs is still rather shy, as I am sure you can perceive. I remember her being more talkative as a girl, but she was only six when my mother died. She changed after that. It deeply affected her.”
