Page 49 of The Duke of Distraction
He hadn’t realized that was the case.“I didn’t mean to provoke any unpleasantness.”
“No, it’s fine.”Her gaze followed the puppies as they wrestled with one another.
He thought about what might be going through her head.She wanted to honor her parents by getting married, and yet here she was with a pair of puppies, something they’d denied her.If she could accept the dogs, perhaps she’d come back around to pursuing her hat making.He hoped that would be the case.She deserved happiness—a happiness of her own making and not anyone else’s.
Such as you have?
He swatted the voice to the back of his mind.
She looked over at him.“Thank you.I shouldn’t take them, but I will.”
“Good.”
She smiled, and while he’d provoked several the last few days, this was the truest, most brilliant one yet.Her blue eyes sparkled, and her skin glowed.“This is the happiest I’ve felt in a long time.”
“I can tell.”
“What you do…creating diversions and amusements.It’s more than that.You bring people genuine joy.”
“I try.”
“Is that what makes you happy?”
“Yes.”He said it without thinking.Because avoiding thinking too deeply was part of what made him happy.No, not happy.It was something else.
She cocked her head.“Have you ever tried to make your aunt and uncle happy?”
The change in topic—sort of—made him laugh.“I’m not sure.I have arranged for them to avoid each other, so in that sense, yes, I suppose I have.They rarely spend any time together.She’s always in Bath or York, and Uncle Martin is always here.”
“How sad.”
Felix shrugged.“I don’t think they’re sad.They’re making the most of a bad situation.”
“Their marriage is a ‘bad situation.’”
“Now you see why I have no interest and why I caution you to be certain it’s what you want.”
“Is that the truth?”she asked.“Living with your aunt and uncle after your father died, that’s why you refuse to marry?”
Felix’s insides twisted.This was dangerous territory—the places in his heart and soul he didn’t touch.He searched, desperately, for humor where there was little, or none, to be found.“I hope you aren’t going to pity me.There’s no need for that.”
“No, I was merely trying to learn something new about you.”One of the puppies nudged her skirt, and Sarah scooped her up, settling the animal in her lap.Then she reached down and picked up the second and deposited her beside her sister.They curled together so that it was hard to see where one ended and the other began.
“I’m beginning to realize there is a great deal I don’t know about you.”
His discomfort with the conversation grew.“You know the same as Anthony.Or anyone else.”
“I do?I would have thought Anthony would know you better.But if we all see the same Felix…” Her voice trailed off, and he didn’t like the direction her thoughts were taking.
“I’m not a terribly exciting person,” he said.“I am precisely the man you see—entertainment maker, laugh provoker, and puppy obtainer.”
“Yes, but I think you’re so much more.”She gave him an enigmatic look and stood, cradling the puppies in her arms.
He watched her put them back in the pen with their mother and siblings, then she turned to him, wiping her hands against her skirt.“I should get back to check on Anthony.”
“I asked Cook to make him a headache tonic.He’ll be fit as a fiddle, I’m sure.”
“You take care of everyone,” she said softly.“Who takes care of you?”
