His Blessed Epiphany (A Regency Holiday Romance Book 9) Read online

  “No…it is a bedroom,” she said, sighing heavily.

  “Hmm…I think I would rather remain here.”

  “You devil.”

  “Oh, now you’re just trying to fatten my head.”

  “I don’t think it needs any fattening. Your ego is big enough, sir.”

  “I like it better when you call me Felix.”

  “In that case, I shan’t call you Felix anymore. I shall stick to calling you sir, and Lord Spaulding.”

  “Soon, you will be calling me that arsehole, too. It is one of my titles, you know,” he said, giving her a wink that made her legs turn to jelly.

  She laughed despite herself. “I might at that. However, I am a lady.”

  “Why should that stop you?”

  “That isn’t how a lady conducts herself.” She took a few cautious steps away from him. Being so close to him tempted her in ways she couldn’t fathom.

  “Ladies don’t wear breeches or trousers, and yet you were wearing breeches earlier today, and I wager that you have a few pairs of trousers stored away in your wardrobe.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “You are impossible.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Argh.” She threw her hands up in the air. “You are bloody maddening.”

  “Impossible and maddening. Keep paying me compliments. Go ahead and tell me more, pray.”

  “Why don’t you just leave me the hell alone?”

  “Now, now. Watch your language, young lady. You know you don’t want me to leave you alone. You want me to stay here and needle you, even though you won’t admit it. You dared me, and you knew exactly how I would react. You are not a stranger to me, Fanny.”

  “Yes, I am. You didn’t want to marry me of your own volition. You were about as excited as a cat is whenever they get wet. You had to be persuaded. You had to feel indebted to so, and it makes me want to weep.”

  “Don’t do that,” he said softly, taking a step toward her.

  “I shall do what I wish. But you needn’t fear my tears won’t come. I shan’t turn into a ruddy watering pot. I am far too angry at the moment. I wish to be alone. I truly do, sir. So pray, be a gentleman and leave.”

  “Some would say I am not a gentleman.”

  “And those people would be terribly wrong.”

  “You think so, eh? You think I am a gentleman? Look at me. I don’t look like a gentlemen. Your Miss Thornback and your cousin were probably right.”

  “Devil take the lot of them. I don’t think you are a gentleman. I know you are. We both know that you won’t do anything to hurt me. Oh,” she sighed. “I am ever so tired.”

  “Then, go and have a lie down. I am not stopping you.”

  “I will not climb onto that bed while you are around. Even though I feel a little fragile, I shall keep my stiff upper lip.”

  “I won’t ravish you if that is what you fear.”

  “I don’t fear it, blast it. I…I…anticipate it.” Her eyes widened, as she realized how completely she had betrayed herself. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she felt a little faint. She jumped, at the sound of someone rapping on her door. She hated feeling this rattled.

  “Fanny,” her father called. “Do not forget to dress for dinner. I won’t have you eating alone in your bedchamber.”

  “She isn’t alone, sir,” Felix said, his voice booming out so loud it made her wince. He never did anything quietly.

  “Will you hush up,” she hissed.

  “Too late,” Felix grinned.

  “Ah, I see. Jolly good. I shan’t tarry. I…uh, I expect to see you both at dinner then. Uh, well,” he said nervously, “Carry on, then.”

  She wanted to laugh. That was all her father could say? Carry on? She smiled, and Felix caught sight of it. “You are bonny when you smile, Fanny.”

  “Do you think he is gone?” she whispered, feeling a little embarrassed that they had been caught in such a compromising situation, even though Felix had married her, it didn’t feel real yet.

  “Thunder an ‘turf, you don’t have to look so Friday-faced. We haven’t done anything wrong. Don’t fret so. I heard him walk away.”

  “If you could hear that, why didn’t you hear me approaching downstairs in the Library?”

  “You don’t walk as heavily, and I was lost in my thoughts in the Library, and you’ve always been able to surprise me.”

  Oh, God. Why did he have to be bloody delightful? She had always loved him, but now, having him standing in front of her looking so endearing made her love even more.

  “So, do you think we have time for a bit of a jolly before we go down to dinner?”

  “Certainly not,” she gasped.

  “Just checking,” he said impishly. “Can’t blame a bloke for trying.”

  She wagered he would try again before the night was out, and she wondered if she had the willpower to deny him.

  “This is probably where I should act like the gentleman you say I am, and carry my trunk into the adjoining bedchamber, eh?”

  “I should think so.”

  “The thing is,” he sighed. “I don’t really want to do it. I would rather stay here. I shan’t have any entertainment, if I leave. I will be all alone,” he said forlornly.

  “You will live.”

  “Oh, I might, but then again, I might die of loneliness.”

  “You weren’t worried about being lonely before you came here. You probably struggled with actually going through it. I wager you had to get drunk last night in order to work yourself up to it.”

  “I did get a wee bit foxed. But not too bosky. At least I didn’t make any stupid bets with Freddie during that time.”

  “I don’t follow…”

  “Trust me, you probably don’t want to know. I didn’t win that time around,” he grimaced, and felt his jaw. “I still feel where he punched me.”

  “He punched you? I thought he was your mate.”

  “It was a bit of a lark, and I didn’t think he could do what I had bet he could do. He never fails to surprise me. And on that note,” he paused, “I have a gift for you, and then, I shall do as you ask. I shall be a good husband and leave this chamber. Now, mind you, I shall return after dinner, because I don’t really fancy sleeping by myself tonight.”

  “I don’t think I will be up for entertaining you, sir.”

  “Oh, I am sure you could muster the energy. You are a spirited lassie, Fanny. That is what I have always admired about you.”

  She swallowed. Her mouth and throat suddenly becoming dry. “I…I…you mentioned a gift, sir? I have one for you as well.” She marched over to her escritoire, and opened it, reaching inside, her hands enclosed around the box her father had brought from London for her. “I probably should have given it to you, earlier.” She felt a little bashful as she extended her arm. He glanced down at the box.

  “You don’t have to give me any gifts, Fanny.”

  “Oh, but I do. I hope you like what is inside.” He opened it up, and she watched as his eyes settled on the signet ring. “Papa said that every man should have one. I hope you like it.”

  “Thank you,” he stammered. He had never received such a fine gift. Walking to his trunk, he reached inside and his hand wrapped around the case that held the ruby and diamond parure. “This is from Garrard,” he said, standing up and giving her the gift. She shook her head.

  “I couldn’t possibly accept this.”

  “Of course, you can. You are my wife.”

  “It cost too much,” she countered.

  “I can afford it.”

  Felix’s heart thundered. She had doubt in her eyes. She actually doubted that he could pay for it. Didn’t she realize that he was a wealthy man, or did she believe that he hadn’t only married her out of feeing indebted to her father but also because he needed to in order to fit in with the rest of the ton?

  “You do not have to worry about the state of my coffers, Fanny. I have more than enough to support you the way that you are used to,
should I ever have to.”

  “I…I am quite certain you could. However, my father’s wealth…well, I doubt that you rival him in that area.”

  She might as well have punched him in the gut. How could he convince her that he hadn’t married her for her money?

  “I am not like your cousin, Fanny. I have no need of any of the riches you brought into the marriage. Your dowry is in trust for our children, or for you. I have no desire to get my hands on it.”

  Uncertainty still flickered within the violet blue depths of her eyes. Sighing, she cracked open the case, and the expression in her eyes immediately altered. He liked seeing the delighted look that had overwhelmed the doubt.

  “Oh, it is lovely,” she breathed. “I…I shall be the envy of the other ladies in the ton once they see me wearing this beautiful bauble.”

  He grinned, and sauntered over to her. “Would you like me to put the necklace on you?”

  “I think,” she carefully closed the lid. “I think we shall save it for another time. Right now, I would like to rest, and then, I should probably put on something different for dinner.”

  “I don’t know why you lot change so much during the day. That frock looks quite tasty on you. I could help you out of it.”

  “I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Her cheeks turned the shade of the rubies. “I think you should do as you said before and take your leave. We shall see each other later.”

  “Is that a promise?” he asked seductively. Attempting to mimic the sound that he used to seduce other women. He knew that she was different. He knew that some of his other tricks might not affect her. Being genuine was the key to romancing Fanny. And he could do that. No one else knew the real Felix. No women anyway, aside from his mother. Only his mates had seen him at both his best and his worst. Fanny had seen him in another life. She had seen him when he had been a different man. She had seen the rougher, coarser Felix Grey, and she still had fallen in love with him. He had known back then that she had been besotted with him, but clearly he had underestimated the depth of her feelings. Perhaps, he had charmed her too much back then. Sometimes, he became a flirt without even knowing it.

  “Yes,” she said, startling him out of the depths of his memories. He nodded his head.

  “Aye, then, I shall leave. But mark my words, Fanny, I won’t let you keep me away for long.”

  “Mayhap, it would be best for us to have a long courtship.”

  “We can’t court, not now. We are married.”

  “Oh, I dare to disagree with you on that. I think we could. It would make me happy.”

  “You want me to win and woo you when I have already won you?”

  “Yes. You might have won me, sir, but you haven’t wooed me.”

  “I didn’t think I had to, actually. And please start calling me Felix. I hate sir.”

  “Then, you shan’t like, Lord Spaulding. Now, off with you, my lord.”

  He considered ignoring her request and instead pulling her into his arms, and muffling anything else she might say with his mouth. He wanted to kiss her madly and deeply. He wanted to ravish her. And if he wasn’t such an honourable man, he probably would throw caution to the wind, and do just that. She wouldn’t need much coaxing, she already had passion burning brightly in her eyes. All he had to do was light the flame again.

  “You will be mine, Lady Spaulding.”

  “That might be so. But I shan’t be yours tonight.”

  Admiration grew within him. She was a force of nature. Instead of doing what he was tempted to do, he turned around and hoisted his trunk up onto his shoulder, and then, without a further word, he left the room.

  Fanny watched him go. Resisting the urge to tell him to stay. Her nerves were still smarting from the revelation that he married her to fulfill a debt to her father. She should have been furious with her father—and yet, the only person her annoyance was directed at was Felix.

  She sank down onto a chair, and sighed. Going down to dinner and facing both her father and her husband seemed a daunting task. She did know one thing. Felix was a little fond of the colour of red. Changing into a different hue would keep him away from her for a little while longer.

  Red only seemed to fire up his passions, and she didn’t know how to deal with that side of him. Keeping him away from her had been a challenge because she wanted to surrender to him. It had taken more strength than she ever thought she possessed to continually deny him.

  She put the parure he had given her in a safe spot. Time was slipping away. The dressing gong rang, and she knew that her maid would be up to assist her shortly. Her maid quickly knocked on the door, and then came in when she said, “Come.”

  “You look tired, my lady,” Kelly said softly.

  “Thank you, Kelly,” she said ruefully. “I fell rather sleepy. I think we should go for a soft shade. Perhaps, something in a pastel hue…”

  “There is that lovely gown that brings out the violet in your eyes. Shall I get that one?”

  “Yes, Kelly, please do.”

  She sat down at her dressing gown, and looked at her reflection. There were dark shadows under her eyes. The day had taken its toll on her. And she had been up for a long time. Sleep beckoned to her, and yet, she didn’t know if she could refuse her father. Both he and Felix would be expecting her.

  “Kelly, help me into my nightgown. I think I might pass on dinner tonight. I feel fagged to death.”

  Kelly hesitated. “My lady, I think His Lordship would like to see you at dinner.”

  “He shall have to deal with the disappointment. I do not think I have the ability to keep my eyelids open. I feel bone weary.”

  “As you like it, my lady. She reached for her nightgown instead, and came back over to her.

  “Pray, see that my father is taken the news. I think he will understand.”

  “And Lord Spaulding?”

  “I don’t give a fig what Lord Spaulding knows. He can hear about it from my father.”

  “Is that wise, my lady? He is your lord husband now.”

  “He might be a lord, but he shan’t lord it over me,” she sighed, and pinched the top of her nose. She just wanted to get away from it all, and retiring to bed early seemed her only option. And, admittedly, she could do with a rest.

  “He doesn’t seem that bad, my lady.”

  “How he seems is none of your concern, Kelly.”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  She sighed. “I apologize for snapping at you, Kelly. I seem out of sort. I think I shall feel better in the morning.”

  Bliss.

  The corset was off, and so was her shift, and other undergarments. Now, she could slip into her nightgown, and climb under her bedcovers, and drift away into dreamland. She waited while Kelly took the warming pan from the fire, and warmed the sheets. Once she was done, she climbed into bed.

  “Oh, now this is nice, thank you, Kelly.”

  “You are welcome, my lady. I shall take my leave now,” she said, curtsying quickly to her before hurrying out of the warm room.

  This wasn’t how she thought she would spend her wedding night, alas, she would not sleep beside a man who wasn’t in love with her. Felix would only be welcomed into her bed when her tender feelings toward him were reciprocated.

  Plumping up her pillow, she moved her position in bed so she was sleeping in the center of it, and then closed her eyes. If she dreamed, she knew who she would dream about. He always haunted her dreams. Drat the bloody bastard. A smile twitched at the corner of her mouth. No, as he had self-proclaimed, her new husband wasn’t a bastard—he was an arsehole.

  Chapter Twelve

  Felix had just eaten a feast fit for a king.

  At least the Cook at Blessing Hall knew her craft. They sat in the Library sipping their negus. It was a drink he had only been served on a few occasions, and he found that it went down quite nicely.

  Lucky stifled a yawn with his hand. “I think I should like to retire now,” he said, standing up. �
�Goodnight, Colonel, good night, Tiny. Try not to have such a long face. There will be other nights spent with your ladylove.”

  “Thank you, Lucky. Have sweet dreams in your nice empty bed as well.”

  “I shall send up one of the footmen to attend to you as your valet,” Colonel Blessing said.

  “Oh, that’s not necessary,” Lucky said.

  The two of them still hadn’t hired valets and had made do with what Clarence had provided them with back in London. Now, that Felix was going to have to do this whole lordship thing in a house where they would expect him to keep up to snuff, he would have to hire a valet, or have one of the Blessing footmen raised to the position.

  “I insist,” Colonel Blessing said. “Not to worry, I shall send Basil up. He has assumed the position of valet before. He will make you an ideal manservant.”

  “Just like I was once,” Felix said, sipping at his negus.

  Good lord, he could do with another glassful of the stuff.

  Once Lucky had left, and Colonel Blessing had told his butler to send Basil the footman up to attend to Lucky, Felix swallowed his recent mouthful of negus, stood up and walked over to stand by the fire.

  “She knows,” he said, staring into the dancing flames.

  “Ah, so that is why she didn’t come down for dinner,” Colonel Blessing said. “I shouldn’t worry, as I said, her anger burns brightly and then before you know it, she forgets why she was mad at you in the first place. It’s rather refreshing, actually. She never holds a grudge.”

  “She might look upon that differently with me. Her spirits were up. She seemed quite peeved.”

  Colonel Blessing waved his hand dismissively. “She shall forget about it. I imagine if you went up to her right now, you would discover a little lamb waiting for you.”

  “She won’t be waiting for me. She was quite adamant about that.”

  Colonel Blessing eyed him warily. “Chase her, Felix. I think that’s what she wants. My daughter has always liked a bit of adventure.”

  “We shouldn’t have even been married. You are not exactly on death’s doorstep anymore.”

  “You shall make things work with my daughter, Felix. I have faith in you.”