Page 82 of The Duke of Distraction
Chapter 13
It was an uncomfortable sensation, the feeling that he’d done something wrong—which he had—and that he couldn’t fix it.Which he likely could not.His friendship with Anthony was ruined and his… What did he have with Sarah?Friendship?Yes, they’d had that.But it had all changed after that kiss at Darent Hall.
Goddammit.
He hated feeling like this.He’d spent his youth in a constant state of upset, his insides in knots, worrying about his father’s next outburst and knowing he was powerless to stop it.Then he’d spent his entire life since his father’s death doing everything possible to ensure he never experienced that feeling of helplessness again.And here he was, fraught and frayed, all because of his cock.
No, it was more than that.Sarahwas more than that.But God, he didn’t want her to be.
Think, Felix, think.
He paced his dressing chamber.There had to be a way to divert the situation, to persuade Anthony that all would be well.He didn’t have to worry about Sarah.She’d declined his proposal.
He stopped.He didn’t have to worry about her?Hell, he’d stolen her innocence.
Did he really think that?He’d behaved like a blackguard, but he wasn’t entirely to blame.He scrubbed his hand over his face, wishing he could erase the entire day.
Vane stuck his head into the dressing room.“Miss Colton is asking to see you.What should I tell her?”
Felix looked down at himself as if he couldn’t recall his state of dress.And maybe he couldn’t.He was nearly ready for dinner as it turned out.
“Your coat is there,” Vane said, helpfully gesturing toward the garment hanging on the door of the armoire.
Felix took it from the hook and thrust his arm into one sleeve.Vane came forward to provide assistance.
“Where is she?”Felix asked.
“Just outside.”
“I’ll meet her,” Felix said, pressing his lips together in a grim frown.
“You may not wish to look as if you’re marching off to your doom,” Vane suggested.
“I’ll try,” Felix muttered.He made his face impassive before he stepped out of his chamber into the outer reception area that led to the end of the long gallery that spanned the first floor.
Sarah looked every bit as tormented as he felt, her face pinched into lines, her hands clasped together.Christ, what had they done to each other?
He went to her and took her hand, unable to stop himself from trying to ease her pain.“What’s wrong?”
“Everything?”Her lips curved into a small smile, and miraculously, he felt himself relax just a bit.She touched his cheek, causing him to wince.“I was going to ask if it hurts, but I think you just answered that question.”
It had turned purple over the last hour.“It’s probably less than I deserve.I’m so sorry about earlier,” he said.“It was entirely my fault.”
“No, it wasn’t, and don’t argue with me.If anything, it was entirelymyfault.I should regret it, but I…don’t.”She removed her hand from his and turned, walking away from him before pivoting back, her hands clasped together and her shoulders tense.
She took a deep breath.“I told your uncle we’re getting married.”
For a moment, Felix couldn’t find the right response.Wasthere a right response?“But you refused me.”
“Yes, but then he was so smug about you and your birthright, and I just couldn’t stand there and let him steal it from you.”Her brows slashed low over her eyes, and there was a defiant tilt to her chin.
“Steal it from me?Why would you think that?”
She unclasped her hands and stepped toward him.“Because he is!He thought I had designs on you and felt it his duty to inform me you will never marry.Even after I told him we were betrothed, he said you wouldn’t go through with it.”
“But we aren’t betrothed.”He wasn’t entirely certain what she was about.“Unless you’re telling me you’ve changed your mind.”
She took another deep breath and lifted her chin.“Yes, I’ve changed my mind.”
