Rogues Gallery (51 page)

He pulled her into his embrace. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he tilted his head, covering her mouth with his. He was possessive, his mouth hungry for her, yet he stopped for a moment, holding her face in his hands. He shook his head, as if dazed, and then lowered his forehead against hers.

"What am I to do about you?" he whispered, anguished.

Love me
, she wanted to say.
The same way I love you
. Instinct told her it would be best if she did not answer him. He was not asking her anyway. He was pleading with reason, while she was begging for the opposite to prevail.

He kissed her again, and held her, tight against his body. Hers responded with the same measure of heat, setting off an inferno inside her. She reached for his cravat, and then his waistcoat, wishing she knew what to do after that. Hopefully instinct could guide her, and if not, then Hugh surely could.

A loud ahem startled her. Hugh's mouth was devouring hers, and he was so close, while the noise, a distinct throat clearing, was coming from the doorway—

Felicia and Hugh separated so quickly, she nearly lost her balance. Hugh reached his hand out and kept her from falling. Julian stood at the doorway, his face impassive, pretending he had not seen their display of passion.

Felicia's cheeks flamed. Such actions might be overlooked when a couple was betrothed, but she had not yet persuaded Hugh to agree to her proposal.

"Felicia, the carriage is ready."

She bobbed a curtsey in Hugh's direction, keeping her eyes averted. Not that anyone in the room would believe she was demure, not after the riotous behavior she had just exhibited. Still, it kept her from having to meet either one of their gazes.

"Good day, Hugh. Thank you for your—hospitality."

He made a noise that sounded like he was being strangled. She could only hope he was not, but she did not look because she was scurrying towards her brother, and the relative safety of the carriage outside.

She could hardly wait to be in the coach, so that she could contemplate what to do next, while pondering Hugh's strong resistance to her and how to overcome it.

Surely there was something that would persuade him. She had plenty of evidence of his feelings for her. She was not about to be thwarted by this last obstacle on her path to true love.

"Felicia, wait. Perhaps we could discuss your proposition further."

No one was more surprised than Hugh when the words left his mouth. Julian hid a smile behind his hand, shaking his head slightly. Felicia spun around, her eyes wide, and lit with unspeakable joy.

He had lost his wits. There was no other possible answer. Yet he could not continue to deny his attraction to Felicia. Did he truly believe he could find another bride while experiencing these growing feelings for her?

That had not proved so successful the first time around.

"You were quite right," he said. "I do not wish to audition potential brides."

She frowned, and her fists clenched at her side. "Are you suggesting I assist you with this?"

For an instant he was tempted to say yes, with a teasing offer to aid in finding her next elopement candidate. It would be the easiest method to retreat from his rash words, even if it meant causing her confusion and potential heartache, and him another unpleasant experience with that right hook of hers.

He reminded himself the wiser course of action would be to reject this utterly mad notion of wedding Felicia and return to his original plans for Lucinda's future. The prudent response was to admit, to himself, and then aloud, that he was jesting about making Felicia his bride.

But it had been a lie when he'd told her earlier they were not well suited. The truth was they got on well, very well, and he had grown weary of pretending he wanted anything other than having Felicia for his very own.

"I am amenable to discussing your offer," he finally said. "That we be wed."

"Yes! I will marry you." Felicia raced to stand in front of him, her eyes shining, as if he had answered every single one of her prayers. "I will do all in my power to make you happy."

Hugh's heart beat rapidly at how quickly he had brought her joy. He also tamped down the surge of passion that she had elicited all too easily. He managed a stiff nod. "And I shall do the same for you."

She pinched his arm. "There is no need for your stuffiness, Hugh. This is a joyous occasion, though I cannot believe I must remind you of that."

He glared at her, rubbing the sore spot she had just inflicted. "While you have just reminded me I have lost the last hold on my sanity, agreeing to marry a hellion such as you. I cannot imagine why—"

The parlor door slammed open, followed by squeals and the delighted sounds of "Papa! Papa!"

***

F
elicia gasped. She could scarce believe her eyes, or her ears, for the adorable little girl had clearly called Hugh "Papa".

Since Hugh had never been wed, the child had obviously been born without benefit of clergy.

Felicia's heart pounded a little bit harder. She was nearly as dizzy as when she had first come to Hugh's house, even more lightheaded than when she'd been in his embrace.

How had she not known about his child?

"Lucinda," Hugh said in a stern parental voice. "While it may be a vain hope, I believe one day you will heed my words about leaving the nursery. . . Never mind." An expression of pure indulgence transformed his face. "We shall deal with that later."

"Yes, Papa."

Felicia hid her amazement at seeing Hugh in the unexpected role of doting father. She also covered up a smile. She had the feeling his admonition would be repeated many times in the future, without success.

"Since you are here," he continued, "I would like you to meet my—very good friend, Lady Felicia." Hugh inhaled and then said, "Felicia, this is my daughter, Lucinda."

He stared at Felicia, his chin raised defiantly, as if expecting her to condemn him, or his daughter. Felicia already loved him madly, but now she was even more in love because of his fierce protectiveness of his child.

"Hello, Lucinda," she said, her voice softening as soon as she saw Hugh's features in the little girl's face.

Lucinda giggled, twisting her hands together while standing next to her father. "You're pwetty."

"Thank you." Felicia knelt, to keep from towering over the girl. Lucinda scurried over, gazing fearlessly into Felicia's face.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

"Of course," Felicia answered, her gaze pinned on Hugh. "I adore secrets."

Hugh made a choking noise as he tugged at his cravat.

Lucinda tossed a glance at her father before cupping her hands around Felicia's ear, tickling her with the whispered words.

Felicia couldn't hold back her grin. "Miss Lansdale is actually a very nice person. But," she added in a lowered voice, "I can see why she might frighten you."

Hugh ahemed. The girl scampered over to him, and he bent down and picked her up without hesitation. Felicia's heart melted anew. They were such an adorable pair.

"Papa, can I have her—"  Lucinda jabbed a pudgy finger in Felicia's direction. "—as my new mama? Instead of that other one?"

Felicia chuckled while Hugh clearly did his best not to groan.

"We were just discussing something in that vein, poppet. Why don't you return to the nursery so we can finish our conversation."

Lucinda frowned as she looked at Hugh, clearly ready to argue. He merely raised one eyebrow, but it was enough for her to give up her rebellious stance. She gave his cheek a wet kiss and then scrambled out of his arms.

"Bye, Papa. Bye, Lady Fleesha." In the next instant she was out the door.

"What a surprise-filled day this has turned out to be," Felicia said.

"Indeed," Julian said, startling both of them. He had been standing in the corner, watching the proceedings without comment. "It seems there is a great deal more we need to know."

"I disagree," Felicia replied, happier than she had ever believed possible. "I have all the information I require."

***

H
ugh watched as Felicia barreled past Julian, grabbing her brother's arm and dragging him through the doorway. He could hear her joyous laughter and excited chatter as she and Julian entered the carriage. Hugh strolled to the bay window, just to see one last glimpse of her, drawn to her despite his internal warnings to stay away.

She must have sensed him watching, because in the next instant she tilted her head through the open window of the carriage and bestowed the most glorious smile on him.

It was like a kick in the gut, similar to one she'd landed as a child when he had teased her unmercifully.

He was unable to resist her, or her charms, no matter what counsel he gave himself.

And after her easy acceptance of Lucinda. . .

That had been his undoing. Felicia had welcomed his daughter without a hint of reservation. She was the one woman he had considered completely inappropriate to be his child's mother, yet Lucinda had taken to her instantly.

He finally lifted his hand in a half-hearted wave, like a lovesick schoolboy pining after the object of his affection.

Felicia blew a kiss and mouthed the words "I love you" before ducking back inside the carriage. The driver slapped the reins against the horses and the carriage raced down the pea-gravel driveway.

Hugh rested his hand on the edge of a nearby wing chair. How quickly passion had trumped his judgment. He tried to tell himself he had made this choice for Lucinda's benefit, but that was not at all true. He had already agreed to the wedding before Lucinda had charged into the room.

Perhaps he was more like his parents than he wanted to admit.

That made him grip the chair a little harder, his fingers digging into the brocade fabric. He would have to disprove that unsettling notion by fighting off his impossible attraction for this woman.

Yet if he could not keep his wits about him during the brief moments when Felicia was near, what would he do once she was his wife?

"You are certain you are not disappointed?" Felicia asked her aunt once more. "I know you have always anticipated my wedding would be a big society event at St. George's, not this small affair at home."

"Of course I am not disappointed." Great-Aunt Aurore stopped her fussing with the sleeve of Felicia's wedding gown. "I am overjoyed to finally attend your nuptials, which I can do now that a fast carriage is not involved."

Felicia chuckled. "Cousin Tony is still taking wagers that one will be."

"Well, if there is, let me know so I can place a bet too." Great-Aunt Aurore laughed. "Just to supplement my pin money."

Felicia gave her aunt's hand an affectionate squeeze. "I can hardly convince everyone that Flighty Felicia is no more when my own family is betting the opposite."

"Pay no mind to that. You know how happy we all are. I have waited a long time for this day." Great-Aunt turned her attention to Felicia's hair. "Not quite as long as for my own wedding day, of course."

"I do not have the patience you possess, Great-Aunt. I do not know how you can bear it."

"It has gotten much easier over time," her aunt admitted cheerfully.

Felicia nearly choked. "I also cannot wait several decades for my one true love to discover he cares for me. I am happy Hugh agreed to be wed. But I cannot help but wonder why he did not fall in love with me already, as Frederick did with you."

Great-Aunt began to fuss with a stray curl of Felicia's hair, although Felicia pretended she did not recognize it as a stalling technique. "Curses are rather unpredictable. As we both know."

"Indeed. I could not have guessed I would commence this marriage with a ready-made family." She glanced across the room at Lucinda, standing next to Hugh and visibly excited at being included in the day's event. "I fell instantly in love with Lucinda too, but it's daunting to realize I know nothing about being a parent."

"Oh, nobody does, dear. That is why everyone hires nurses and tutors and others who know more about this than we ever will." Great-Aunt Aurore stepped back a pace to give one last admiring look at Felicia's ensemble. "Lucinda does remind me of you at that age. Although you were twice the minx she is, and I managed your upbringing just fine."

"Julian will be crushed when he hears you say that," Felicia said with a laugh. "He has despaired of both of us for many years."

Her aunt's eyes sparkled, most likely with tears of happiness. "And it is not as if you are hieing off to Scotland or an estate in the Caribbean. I shall always be here to come to your aid. So do not fret, about anything. Today you will be wed to your one true love."

Felicia gave her aunt a fervent hug.

Julian ambled over, to let them know the ceremony should commence soon. Before Felicia could answer, she felt a tug on the lower portion of her dress. She looked down to see Lucinda standing there, gazing up at Julian.

"What's wrong with her eye?" he whispered to Felicia.

"She is trying to give you a wink," Felicia whispered back. "I believe she has developed a
tendre
for you."

There was another tug on her dress. This time Lucinda's arms were crossed over her chest, a dark expression on her face.

"You look quite like your father right now," Felicia commented.

Lucinda looked up at Julian, and then back at Felicia.

"Ahhh." She managed to hide a laugh behind her gloved hand. "Julian, I believe Lucinda wishes to speak with you."

Julian knelt so he would not be so imposing to the little girl. All at once she was the shy miss, twisting her fingers together, her head ducked down. He chuckled and lifted one of her hands to his lips. "Hello, Lucinda. It is a pleasure to see you today."

She blushed, and Felicia could not contain her amazement. The little girl was rarely shy, but she was doing a fine job of it now.

"You are pretty," she blurted.

"Not half as pretty as you," Julian answered smoothly.

Hugh joined them just then, his eyes twinkling as he took in immediately what was happening. He scooped his daughter into his arms. "Are you attempting to wrap him around your finger too? I must warn you, she is angling for her own pony, and apparently is not above trying to get one from you since her Papa continues to deny her request."