Page 55 of The Duke of Distraction
She tugged harder, and off it came.A sharp pain stabbed his scalp and he reached up to rub the area.His hand found hers as she smoothed at his hair.
The connection shot through him like a lightning bolt.He looked up at her to find her staring down at him.She was so close, standing just between his knees, and her breasts would be at eye level right in front of him if he lowered his head.
A powerful spell of awareness and desire wove between them.He skimmed his fingers along her hand atop his head and stared into the alluring blue of her eyes.This was what he’d missed when he’d kissed her—the anticipation of knowing it was her before their lips met.
Would he have even had anticipation before that night?He would never have considered kissing her, not without Fate stepping in and making it happen.
She drew her hand away and took a step back, breaking the spell.The air felt suddenly cooler, and Felix suppressed a shiver.
She put the basket on the table and wiped her hands against her skirt.“I still don’t want to make hats.At least not as an enterprise.I shall always trim my own headwear.”
He exhaled, struggling with the desire still pulsing through him and trying to focus on what she said.Today was a success, then—she at least wanted to trim her own hats.“That’s a start.There are real hat-making supplies in the sitting room upstairs for when you change your mind.”He stood.“Did you at least enjoy yourself?”
“I did.”Her smile was small but infectious, sparking a heat inside him that banished the chill of the broken moment.“Thank you.But really, Felix, how long can you keep this up?Entertaining us, I mean.”
“As long as necessary.It’s what I do.In fact, I wondered if I should invite Beck and Lavinia to come visit.”
“Oh yes, please!”Her eyes fairly glowed with excitement, and Felix grinned with pleasure.
“I’ll send a messenger to them posthaste,” he said.
“They’re at Huntwell with Fanny and David, at least for a few more days.”
“Shall I invite them too?”
“I don’t know if they’ll come.They are newlyweds, after all.”
“I’ll extend the offer,” Felix said.“Are you sure you don’t want to make another hat?We have plenty of supplies.”
“No, thank you.I’ve a horrid novel to finish—thank you for those.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
“Everything you do is for your pleasure,” she said softly.“And everyone else’s.”
She was more right about the latter than the former.“Pleasing others, seeing to their enjoyment is what gives me joy.”He hadn’t meant to sound seductive or provocative, but saying those words to her, he realized he would like to please her—in every way possible.
But that was never going to happen.She was on the hunt for a husband, and she was not a woman with whom he could dally.
She didn’t break eye contact with him for a long moment, and the air between them seemed to heat once more.At last, she pivoted.But before she left, she picked up her abominable hat and took it with her.
Felixhadgiven her joy, if only for a while, and that would have to be enough.
