Page 38 of The Duke of Distraction
He blew out a breath and leaned his head back to look at the ceiling for a moment.“Disaster,” he said quietly.He lowered his head and looked at her.“I couldn’t stop thinking of them on their way to Oaklands.”His voice was low and dark.Ravaged.
“Me too,” she whispered.Her mind had conjured all manner of horrific images, of her parents begging to be spared.Of the Oaklands staff finding them after they’d failed to arrive.
“I know I have to go there, but I just can’t.”His head drooped.“Not yet.”
She understood.Reaching toward him, she offered him her hand.He took it and squeezed.She was remarkably dry-eyed and yet full of emotion.
He let go of her hand as the footman returned with a second tray bearing Anthony’s covered plate and a tea service.He placed everything in front of Anthony and offered to pour the tea, which Anthony accepted.
When the footman made to stay, Anthony politely asked him to leave them alone, which he did with alacrity.
Anthony stared at his plate.“I’m a coward.”
Sarah froze in chewing her toast and then had to take a sip of chocolate to wash it down.She turned to him.“Why would you say that?”
“Because I’ve been hiding.Because I couldn’t go to Oaklands.Because I still don’t want to.Because it should have beenmewho died.”
“None of that makes you a coward,” she said fiercely.“Father and Mother would have gladly gone in your place if they’d known what awaited them.”Sarah might have grown frustrated with them in recent months, but she’d never doubted their love for her or Anthony.
“I want to kill them,” he said softly, with a deadly menace that made Sarah’s neck prickle.“The men who killed our parents.”
Alarm sparked in her chest.“You aren’t going to look for them?You’d be mad to do so—the magistrate hasn’t found them yet.”
“And probably won’t,” Anthony said.
“Well, I would prefer you were a coward and didn’t look for them yourself,” she said with heat.“I won’t lose you too.”That he would even put himself in danger fed her anger.
He exhaled.“I won’t go looking for them.”He didn’t look at her, and she wasn’t entirely sure she believed him.
He picked at his food, eating more of it than she’d seen him do since their parents’ death, which wasn’t hard to do.Meanwhile, Sarah nibbled at her toast and drank her chocolate.
Felix came in then, and it was as if the sun had shone directly into the room.He was a whirlwind of energy and light, she realized.Well, she’d always known that, really.But in her current state, she was perhaps aware of him in a way she’d never been.
Or maybe it was because of the kiss.
She averted her gaze to her plate.Where hadthatcome from?She hadn’t thought of that in weeks.And it would probably be best if she didn’t think of it at all, ever.
“We’re going for a ride this afternoon,” Felix said, depositing himself in the chair at the head of the table next to Sarah.
Anthony inclined his head toward Felix.“Good.”
Felix’s eyes widened.“No argument?I was prepared to do battle.”He picked up his napkin as the footman came in.
“Would you care for anything, my lord?”
Felix looked toward Sarah’s plate and frowned.“Tell me you ate more than toast?”
“All right.I ate more than toast.”
He rolled his eyes at her and looked up at the footman.“Bring a basket of Cook’s rolls.”He glanced at Anthony’s food.“I see Anthony was smart enough to at least try one.”
The footman left, and Felix continued, “You’re both wasting away.We’re having a massive feast this evening, and I won’t let either of you leave until I’m satisfied your clothing is too tight.”
“That sounds rather uncomfortable,” Sarah murmured.She appreciated his concern.And his humor.
Felix turned toward them, his gaze turning more serious.“I’m so glad you’re both here.We’re going to have a marvelous time.”
“I’m still a bit surprised you brought us here,” Anthony said.“You never invite me here.”
