Page 86 of The Duke of Distraction
“Beck explained, and I think he might be right.The difference between them is that Beck puts all his emotions into his music and his poetry.Where does Felix put his?”
After a minute, Sarah said, “Into his entertainments?”
Lavinia gave a single nod.“Or nowhere at all.”
Sarah let that seep into her brain.“His birthday is the day after tomorrow, but he doesn’t want a celebration.”She focused on Lavinia.“After everything he does for everyone else, he refuses to celebrate himself.”
“Why do you think that is?”
Sarah had her suspicions, but she wasn’t going to share them.Not with Lavinia anyway.
Thankfully, she didn’t have to respond because the gentlemen came into the drawing room.“That’s it, Felix has completely convinced me we must go to Scott’s Grotto,” Beck said.
“You don’t have to convince me,” Lavinia said, smiling and returning to the settee.“Shall we go tomorrow?”
Beck sat down beside her, and Sarah took a chair situated nearby while Felix occupied another chair.“I don’t know,” Beck said.“Felix and I were just talking about Anthony and wondered if we should follow him to Epping.Just in case he needs…something.”
“I don’t think that’s wise,” Sarah said.“But maybe I should go.You’re right that he shouldn’t be alone.”
“We could all go,” Lavinia suggested.
Felix nodded slowly.“I suppose we could.”
“I still don’t know.”Sarah thought of Anthony’s current state.He was still so upset about their parents, but, unlike Sarah, he hadn’t fallen in love amidst his sadness.Furthermore, he was furious with his best friend and only slightly less angry with her.Despite all that, she really did think he shouldn’t be alone.“We’d have to follow at a distance.”
“I recommend we give him an hour lead,” Beck said.
Felix stood.“I’ll arrange it.See you all in the morning.”His gaze lingered on Sarah, and then he turned and left.
A short time later, Sarah stood in her chamber ready for bed.She wasn’t the least bit tired.She was consumed with a desperate need to see and touch and talk to Felix.Why shouldn’t she go to his room?They were betrothed now.
Tightening the sash of her dressing gown, she left her chamber and strode to his room.She stopped before going in—bad things happened when people entered rooms unannounced.
She knocked and waited anxiously for a response.When none came, she lifted her hand to knock again.But the door opened.
“Sarah.”Felix looked surprised to see her.He also looked…undressed.
He wore a silk banyan and perhaps nothing else.She couldn’t tell for certain unless she stripped it off.Suddenly, her mouth was dry, and her flesh was hot all over.
She lowered her gaze to his feet.They were bare.
Snapping her attention back to his face, she had to work to remember why she’d come.“May I come in?”
He held the door open and moved aside as she crossed over the threshold.
She turned to face him.“Aren’t you going to close the door?”
He arched a brow but said nothing as he did as she asked.Once it was closed, he put his back to the door.Still, he said nothing.
“I thought you might refuse to let me in.Or at least to close the door.”
“Why should I?We’re to be married.”
“Yes.”Hearing him say it—or maybe it was his state of undress or the fact that they were standing in his bedchamber—flushed her with desire.
“Am I correct in assuming you came here to seduce me again?”He moved forward, taking two steps to stand just in front of her.
“No.”She shook her head, feeling flustered.“Yes.And to talk.”
