Page 72 of The Duke of Distraction
“I completely understand.”Her gaze took on a determined glint.“I can see there are other reasons I must visit this marvel.”
Sarah laughed softly.“Then perhaps we won’t accompany you.I’ll be sure to tell you where to go.”
“I would appreciate that, thank you.”Lavinia straightened and took a deep breath.“Well, if I’m to educate you on pleasing Felix, we should get to it before they barge in.”
Sarah stiffened her spine and turned her full attention to Lavinia, eager to hear what she had to say.“Yes, do tell.”
Casting his line back into the pond, Felix shifted his weight to his other foot.The movement was punctuated with an odd sound.
“Is Anthony snoring?”Beck asked, glancing back toward the blanket spread beneath the large oak tree.
“Seems to be.”Felix tilted his head back and squinted up at the bright late-morning sky.
Beck stifled a yawn.“Wewereup late playing cards.”
“It wasn’tthatlate.”Felix suspected Anthony wasn’t sleeping well.His eyes looked a bit haggard, and Felix often caught him yawning.
“True.I was up later, however.”His gaze was focused on his line in the pond, but his mouth curled into a satisfied smile.
“I do not want to hear about your bedroom activities.”
“Who said they took place in a bedroom?”
Felix chuckled, looking toward Beck, who was now grinning.“I’m glad to know Stag’s Court is so accommodating.Or arousing.”
“Or both.”A moment later, Beck sent him a quick glance.“Sounds as though it’s been the same for you.”
Bloody fucking hell.Felix snapped his head around to make sure Anthony was still asleep.How did Beck know about hisactivitieswith Sarah?Maybe he didn’t and was just making an assumption.Felix decided to pretend he was ignorant.“What are you talking about?”
“I wondered if you’d prefer to act as though there was nothing going on.I can understand given the circumstances.”
He knew.Felix exhaled.“How did you find out?And keep your voice down in case Anthony wakes up.”
“Sarah told Lavinia, and Lavinia told me.We don’t keep secrets in our marriage.”
Yes, their union was disgustingly perfect.It was astonishing to Felix, who had grown up with the absolute worst example of marriage one could witness.That one of his closest friends had married so well pleased Felix, but, if he were honest, he wasn’t sure he expected their harmony to last.
He suddenly thought of the Dartfords, who’d been married for a couple of years and still seemed quite happy and in love.Felix decided they were an aberration too.Plus, the relationship was young and would likely cool.
His mind returned to Sarah and her loose tongue.“Sarah and I arenotmarried.I shall speak to her about the importance of secrecy.”
“Don’t be angry with her,” Beck said.“Her mother is gone.She was looking for feminine advice.”
She was?Felix could only imagine about what, and he wasn’t going to ask.This conversation was uncomfortable enough.“Of course I won’t be angry with her.”
No, the only person with whom he was angry was himself.He’d been an imbecile to allow their…activitiesto continue.But damn, when he thought of yesterday in the Grotto… He’d best not, unless he wanted to make an embarrassing display in his breeches.
“Secrecy is still important,” Felix said, glancing back at Anthony once more.“What if he found out?”
Beck blew out a breath.“He wouldn’t like it, which is why this is a dangerous situation.I would never dream of intruding in your private affairs, but this is Anthony’s sister.This is Sarah.”
He bloody well knew it was Sarah.Yet he’d been powerless to resist her flirtation, her charm, and the devastating attraction he felt toward her.She’d occupied his mind and body for weeks.Since Darent Hall.
“I’ve already resolved that it won’t happen again,” Felix said.
“Does Sarah know this?”Beck didn’t sound convinced.
Felix realized he hadn’t actually told her they couldn’t continue.He’d only told her it had all been for her.Because if he allowed her anywhere near his bare cock, he was going to be completely and utterly lost.
