Page 81 of The Duke of Distraction
“I’m on my way to see my father.You’re welcome to come along—I’m enjoying your company.”She flashed another warm smile, and Sarah thanked her for the invitation.
It was a ten-minute walk to the steward’s cottage, a charming two-story home with a thatched roof.Set back behind the stables, it was no wonder Sarah hadn’t seen or been to it.Nor did she have reason to seek it out, of course.“This is where you grew up?”Sarah asked.
“Yes.Close enough to the stables that I made myself a nuisance so that when Felix learned to ride, I did too.”
“Are you the same age?”Sarah had thought George to be younger than Felix’s twenty-eight years.
“Nearly.I’ll be twenty-eight early next year.”
“You and Felix really did grow up together.”
“I suppose we did.Until Felix went off to Eton.Your brother went there too, didn’t he?”
Sarah nodded.Her mind drifted to Anthony.She couldn’t avoid seeing him.She needed to make him understand why she shouldn’t marry Felix because of what happened.
Sarah stopped on the path.“I should get back to the house.Thank you so much for allowing me to accompany you.”
George paused and turned to face her.“It was my pleasure.I hope we can do it again.If you decide to talk to Felix about his birthday, please let me know what he says—and if I can help with anything.I’d love to do something nice for him for once.”
“I would too.”Sarah smiled, then turned and headed back to the house, grateful for the shade on this part of the path.
As she rounded the corner of the stables to turn toward the house, she nearly ran into Martin Havers, Felix’s uncle.She stopped short before they could collide.
“Goodness, I’m afraid I was walking rather quickly there,” he said jovially.“I beg your pardon.”
“It’s quite all right,” Sarah said, returning his smile and intending to carry on.
He frowned at her bare head.“Whatever happened to your hat?”
“It blew away.”
He appeared confounded.“But there’s hardly a breeze.”
“I was joking.”
“Ah.”He didn’t crack a smile, nor did he move out of her way.“It’s been so different to have you and your brother here, and now there are more of you.”
Sarah found his observation strange.It wasn’t as if Martin spent time at the house.Aside from the dinner when they’d first arrived, she hadn’t seen him.Why would he find their presence “different” or otherwise?She couldn’t think of how to respond.
“I imagine you’ll be staying as long as you can.”His forehead creased.“I hope you don’t have any unrealistic expectations where Felix is concerned.”
What the devil was he talking about?Sarah blinked.“I don’t believe I do,” she said hesitantly.
“That’s comforting to hear.I did wonder, given the way you look at him.You must know he’ll never marry.”
“Everyone knows that.”She couldn’t quite keep all the derision from her tone.
Martin exhaled, then smiled in a thoroughly condescending fashion.“That’s good to hear.Just looking out for my nephew, you understand.”
No, she didn’t understand.“I don’t think you are.I think you’re looking out for your son.If Felix marries, and presumably sires an heir, your son won’t inherit as you intend.”Sarah wondered if Martin had planted the idea of not marrying into Felix’s mind years ago, maybe even as soon as his father had died.
Martin’s eyes widened, and his lips moved, but the only sound that came out was a series of gasps.Finally, he managed, “You forget yourself!”
“I thinkyoudo.As it happens, Felix has proposed marriage, and I’ve accepted.”The words flew from her mouth before she could think better of it.
His eyes, already wide and large to begin with, practically fell out of his head.“You just said everyone knows he will never marry!”
“I was being polite in the face of your presumption and rudeness.I’d planned to let Felix tell you our news, but I find I can’t contain myself.”
“It’s never going to happen.I don’t know what spell you’ve woven to bring this about, but he’s absolutely committed to remaining unwed.”
“Not anymore.”She gave him a final glare, then stepped around him as she hurried toward the house.
Heart pounding, she wondered what the hell she’d just done.Had she changed her mind about marrying him?Apparently so.But what if he didn’t want to marry her?
Of course he didn’t want to marry her—he’d only proposed because Anthony had caught them together.She’d refusedbecauseshe knew he didn’t want to.
Onlyshedid.
The realization slowed her gait as she neared the rear door that led into the saloon.When she thought of the rest of her life alone, specifically without Felix, well, she didn’t want to think about that.What shedidwant was to marry him.Because she was in love with him.
