CHAPTER ELEVEN
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!"
~ * ~
Felicia 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."
~ * ~
Hugh 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?