“We can never speak of him again. It was a foolish dream to think it would ever become anything more than that, a dream.”
“But… but that letter he wrote to you. He truly cares for you. And the letter you burned, I read it. I know you care for him as well. Why are you throwing that all away?”
“I have told you again and again. I will do what I must for my family, no matter the cost,” Felicity said firmly. She was no longer sure if she was speaking to her sister or herself.
“I cannot believe that this is how things end. Love is not meant to end this way.”
Felicity sighed. She knew all of her sisters clung relentlessly to the idea of love. At a time, perhaps Felicity did too. But with her future set with Lord Roberts, love seemed more like a childhood fantasy.
“Believe what you must, but Mother has done all the arranging. I am to marry Lord Roberts.”
Delilah huffed at that, crossing her arms.
“Excuse me,” she said loud enough for the others to hear, “but I think I will retire.”
Her mother waved Delilah away before turning back to the desk and Lord Roberts.
“A new dress, I think,” Lord Roberts announced. “New dresses for all of you. I will not have my fiancé and her family attend our engagement ball in gowns that have already been seen. Get whatever you want and have the tailor send the bill to me.”
“You are too generous,” her mother fawned. “Isn’t he just so wonderful, my dear?”
“Very generous of you, My Lord,” Felicity managed to squeak out. “I think I will also retire. I am not fully myself at the moment and find I am in need of rest.”
“Of course, my dear,” Lord Roberts said, charmingly. “We cannot have you feeling the least bit ill for the ball. I plan on dancing with you all night; you will need your energy.”
“I am sure today has been a very exciting day for her, Lord Roberts. I am sure she will feel right as rain come the morning,” her mother told him with a slight edge to her words.
Felicity heard the warning — she was not to feign illness any longer. She was sure to regret her actions tomorrow, but for now, she needed to get as far away from the Earl as possible.
“I understand entirely.” He bent to kiss her hand, lingering too long for Felicity to be comfortable. “Sleep well. I am sure we will be seeing much of each other in the next week. I look forward to it.”
“Good night,” she said, curtseying to the room before she spun on her heels and fled to her room.
Her heart did not stop pounding for several minutes as she slumped against the door. By the time she had peeled herself away from the wall, the rest of the house had grown quiet. She moved to slip out of her gown, not caring for where the garments landed. It was not until she was seated at her vanity, brushing out her hair, that the weight of tonight’s events struck her. All it took was the corner of an envelope poking out of the end of the table, and then the tears began to flow. Something like footsteps pounded past her door, but Felicity could not hear them as her cries drown everything else out.
CHAPTER13
On behalf of Lord and Lady Kent, Viscount and Viscountess of Woking,
The Duke of Ferndown is hereby invited to celebrate the engagement of Lord Roberts, Earl of Edgware, and Miss Felicity Kent. A ball will be held in their honor at the Kering House Tuesday, 1stof June current, 9 o’clock p.m.
* * *
“Your Grace,” thud, thud, thud, “Your Grace, I am sorry to disturb you.”
“What is it?” Benjamin growled, tugging on his robe and yanking his door open to find a sleepy-eyed butler staring back at him. “What could you possibly need at this late hour?”
“I apologize, Your Grace, but you have a visitor who is quite insistent on seeing you immediately.”
“Who is demanding an audience at this time of night? It had better be important.”
“I do not know. They will not reveal themselves to me. Whoever it is does not seem dangerous, just rather persistent. I am surprised the constant banging on the front door did not wake the whole house. I have placed them in your drawing room.”
“Thank you, now go back to your bed. I will sort this out and send whoever it is on their way.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” and with that the old man was shuffling off to find his bed.
Not bothering to dress in anything other than the flannel robe he already had tied around him, Benjamin stormed down the stairs, remembering halfway down that the rest of the house was still sleeping. Softening his steps, Benjamin pushed open the door to the drawing room and took in the figure by the fireplace. He was shocked to see who it was.