Felicity had to repress the shudder that went through her at the implications of his words. She was even less impressed as Lord Roberts pulled her hand up to his mouth and pressed a kiss to her fingers. Reclaiming her hand, Felicity dropped into a curtsey and resisted wiping his slimy kiss from her hand.
“Thank you for calling,” she said with a tight smile.
“I am sure we will be seeing more of each other soon.”
And with that, he left the room, awkwardness and discomfort hanging over their heads like a storm cloud that refused to budge. Felicity knew her mother would be more than a little displeased with her response to the Earl. She found it a hard line to walk between being courteous and obedient while not encouraging any more of Lord Roberts’ unwanted attention.
“A walk, I think,” her sister said, diverting the attention of the room back to her, “would be most beneficial. Shall we?”
The crowd of callers filed out of the drawing room and into the sunny afternoon. With gentlemen on either side of them, Delilah and Felicity made their way around the park. It took all of Felicity’s willpower not to turn around and look at her mother who was burning holes in the back of her head for the entire duration of their promenade. Despite the improvement of the company, Felicity found herself wishing once again that Benjamin was a suitable caller.
CHAPTER8
Dear Felicity,
Please forgive me for my delayed response. As much as I enjoy our correspondence, I simply could not find the time to pen my answer. I felt my reply deserved my complete attention.
I have many things I would like to say about the position you are in as the eldest sister. Most of them are directed at your parents for failing you so miserably, and all of them are unfit for a lady’s ear (or eyes), so I will say only this — I find it extremely honorable that you are willing to sacrifice so much of yourself for your sisters. I hope, for your sake more than anything else, that the man you wind up marrying is half as honorable as you.
I can only understand a fraction of the responsibilities your parents have carried all these years, but I simply cannot imagine putting the safety and security of my family on a daughter. It is wholly irresponsible and unacceptable. If there is anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask. There is little I will not do for a friend.
On a lighter note, I fear you have done a dangerous thing. I have tried my best not to allow your compliments go to my head, but a man’s ego can only take so much. The Diamond of the Season called me ‘handsome’ on multiple occasions — I fear my mother will be less than pleased when she sees what your words have done to my pride. I must admit it is a shock to me that my scar does not scare a beautiful woman like you away. Perhaps one day, I will tell you the story of how I got it.
As for your questions about my family, I feel as though my answers will disappoint you. I was like any other second son. My brother got all of my parents’ attention when we were boys. He was the heir, and they did their very best to make him ready to inherit the title. I was not left out by any means. (I suspect that while Elijah was my father’s favorite, I was my mother’s) We went to the same boarding school, had the same tutors, and took all the same lessons. My parents simply cared about my brother’s success more than mine. The pressure turned Elijah into a serious fellow, even at a young age, whereas I was allowed to take my time in growing up. I guess it was all for the better as Elijah became the Duke when he was only seventeen. Our father never had a strong disposition, and one spring a cough turned into fever in only a few days. He did not survive the week.
After that, my mother decided to hire a tutor for us instead of sending us back to the boarding school. It was a hard adjustment for us all. Suddenly having to take orders from my older brother did not go over well. We fought often in those first few months after our father’s death, things often ending with us rolling on the floor, covered in bruises. In a strange way, I think it was our way of getting through it. By the winter, we had grown out of our fights, and Elijah had grown up. He would only smile, laugh, or joke in front of a very select group of people — I imagine this was the beginning of his stoic and reclusive reputation. If I am honest, I struggled to find my place in my last years at home. I was halfway between being a boy and a man with no purpose. The idea of depending on my brother for my survival for the rest of my life was appalling to me, so when I came of age, I enlisted.
There is nothing like four years in the military and being shipped to France to make a boy turn into a man. I fear it turned me into a hard man. There are often times I do not recognize myself any longer. I never imagined I would become someone who is more comfortable in a uniform with a rifle calling orders than asking a woman to dance, yet here we are.
Speaking of, I hope to see you at tonight’s ball. I have yet to attend a party hosted by Lord Geoffory Howard, but I have heard the Marquess puts on an excellent affair. Does it count if I ask you for a dance now, or will I have to ask again tonight? I guess we will find out.
I look forward to seeing you once again this evening.
Benjamin
* * *
When Benjamin had sent out his letter to Felicity this morning, he had not anticipated the rush of nerves that followed. He had not lied to Felicity when he told her approaching a woman to dance was more disarming than marching onto a battlefield to him. Simply knowing that Felicity might be in attendance tonight calmed his nerves as much as it excited them. Tonight was the first time he felt like he would be walking into the evening with a friend on his side — even if that friend was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.
Despite the long hours and endless amounts of paperwork, he had to admit that he was beginning to get the hang of being the new duke. With his brother’s piles of work sorted through, Benjamin was finally able to focus on the things that were happening in the day to day. The more he interacted with the tenants and solicitors, the more he found himself liking his new role. Yet, every time that thought crossed his mind, a pang of guilt flooded through him. He could never have imagined taking on his brother’s role, let alone growing comfortable enough with it to feel like he was good at it.
“Your Grace?” a worn voice called from the shadows.
“What is it, Hillsdale? Do not lurk where I cannot see you; you know how much I don’t like that.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” the withered butler replied, moving further into the study, “A Mister Henry Marwood is here to see you. Shall I show him in?”
Benjamin did not answer right away, too busy examining the lack of dread he felt to give an adequate reply. It seemed he had made more progress than he had even realized in accepting his role as the new Duke of Ferndown. Without the time to examine the swarm of mixed emotions he now felt, Benjamin sighed before giving Hillsdale a decisive nod.
“Your Grace,” the solicitor said as he waddled into the study, “it is good to see you doing so well.”
Benjamin said nothing as he watched the man in front of him struggle to bow, his joints and muscles stiff with age.
“Why are you here?”
Mister Marwood visibly steeled himself at the icy tone Benjamin used, obviously accustomed to a warmer welcome, but Benjamin was wary to trust anyone too soon. Despite Elijah seeming to have trusted the man, Benjamin still felt a bit blind as to who his enemies really were.
“I must tell you, Chapman, it will do you no good to isolate yourself.”