Chapter Eleven

A week of uneventfulness passed before Felix made himself speak to Elizabeth. After breakfast, he asked Elizabeth to remain in the dining room. Oscar gave him a glance, as if asking if Felix was sure he wanted to speak with her. Felix gestured for Oscar to leave. With a shrug, Oscar obeyed. That left Felix with no one else but Elizabeth. Elizabeth's spine was stiff, but at least she remained sitting. He gathered his courage then got up and approached her.

He had to do this. If he didn't, he was going to end up drinking liquor. The longer time went on with the continual anxiety nagging at him, the harder it was for him to resist the wine that was in the townhouse. He had managed to talk Oscar into getting rid of all the brandy, but he had yet to convince Oscar to part from the wine.

Felix chose a chair next to her and sat down.

She inched away from him.

He waited until she was comfortable before saying, "I want you to know that I truly am sorry for telling people that you shared dalliances with many gentlemen. What I did was reprehensible. I don't blame you for being angry, and I don't blame you for not wanting to have anything to do with me."

He paused, took a deep breath, and continued the speech he had rehearsed. "If I could afford to give you your own townhouse, I would. I realize the last thing you want is to be stuck in this place with me. I suppose I could offer my country estate, but it's in disrepair. My brother has been fixing it, but there's so much more that needs to be done. I would stay there myself if I wasn't struggling to figure out the best way to accumulate the kind of wealth my brother will need to provide for his own family, once he has one." Because Felix understood there was no way he was ever going to have children. The title would end up going to Oscar who would pass it on to his eldest son someday.

Pushing the thought aside, Felix continued, "Since we are stuck in the same townhouse, I want you to think of this place as your own. I notice you haven't put anything of yours in any of the rooms down here. For instance, the drawing room. It's a room where you'll undoubtedly want to entertain your friends. You are free to decorate it however you want. Also, if there's a certain meal you would like to eat, you may create a menu for the cook. We just hired this one, and he makes everything taste wonderful. I don't think there's anything he can't make."

Realizing he was rambling, Felix stopped and waited for her to respond. She only stared at him in a way that let him know she kept expecting him to say something she wouldn't like. But who knew? Maybe the fact that he was talking to her at all was annoying her.

He cleared his throat. "That's all I wanted to say. I'll get out of your way now."

He fully expected her to jump up from the chair and run out of the room as she did every other time the meal was over, but she just remained sitting and staring at him with that guarded expression on her pretty face.

Perhaps things weren't going to get any easier. Perhaps they would always be awkward. If so, he would have to remove the wine, regardless of how Oscar felt about it. He rose to his feet, excused himself, and left the room.

***

D ID HE MEAN IT? COULD she really put whatever she wanted to in the drawing room?

Elizabeth had never been allowed to put any of her things outside of her bedchamber before. Her parents and her brother had been very strict about her keeping her things to herself. Sometimes she wondered if it was so that they didn't have to think about her when she wasn't around. She had been born a girl, and girls weren't esteemed like boys were. Had she been a boy, she could have been the spare. But as a girl, the only value she had was in what money she'd bring with a dowry, and that was money they had to give away, rather than gain. Maybe she should take Felix up on his offer. Maybe she should take something from her bedchamber and put it in the drawing room where others could see it.

As the maid and butler slipped back into the room to take away the dishes, she considered which object might enhance the drawing room. The only one she could think of was that beautiful owl she'd purchased. It was so exquisite that it ought to be shared with the world.

She bit her lower lip. There was no one she would entertain. Though everyone assumed she had friends, she didn't. Duncan had been her only living relative who cared the slightest bit about her, and he was off to America. Still, the owl was really quite lovely. If Felix was serious about this being her place, then she could go to the drawing room when no one was there and read. It would be nice to spend some time in a room that wasn't her bedchamber for a change.

Yes, she would do it. She would put the owl in the drawing room and see what happened.

***

F ELIX STEPPED INTO Marco's with Oscar. The talk with Elizabeth had been brief, but even as brief as it was, he worried he had somehow made things worse. The way she'd stared at him—with that mixture of animosity and disdain...

It had probably been a mistake to talk to her. She certainly hadn't been interested in having a conversation with him. She had remained quiet the entire time. He could only guess what she'd been thinking as he rambled on like a fool. Did she think him more pathetic than before? Had she been worried he would force the issue of an heir? Would she write her cousin and demand he give her a ticket to America?

"I wish I could handle liquor," Felix muttered as he and Oscar found a table with a chessboard on it.

"At least she didn't throw something at you," Oscar said. "There was a knife at that table. She could have killed you."

"I almost wish she would have. It would put me out of my misery."

Oscar gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder. "Don't say that. If you were to die, I'd have the title, and we both know I don't want the responsibility. Now, have a seat, and I'll get us both some water."

Surprised Oscar was willing to forgo the fine brandy at this establishment, Felix settled into a chair. It was nice to be out of the townhouse. The reprieve, unfortunately, would be short-lived. He had nowhere else to go except for home once he and Oscar were done here.

Adam approached the table. "How is the marriage going?"

Felix's gut tightened in dread. Adam wasn't going to ask him to invest in that ridiculous love potion scheme, was he?

Adam sat next to him and smirked. "I hear your wife is terrorizing London."

"I don't see how since she stays in her bedchamber most of the time." The words flew out of his mouth before Felix had time to stop them. While it was true she stayed in her bedchamber most of the time, admitting it probably didn't help her reputation. "No one else is in the bedchamber with her," he hurried to clarify. "There's no one she can harm."

Adam's eyes grew wide. "You're never in the bedchamber with her?"

Felix hadn't expected that response, so he didn't know what to say.

Adam waved his hand to dismiss the question. "It's just as well. You don't want the spawn of the devil in your house."

"The spawn of the devil? If your opinion about me is so vile, why are you sitting here?"

"I'm not referring to you. I'm referring to your wife." Adam leaned closer to him. "She was seen purchasing a cutting tool the other day."

"So?"

"What would a lady need a cutting tool for?"

"Where did she purchase this cutting tool?" Felix asked.

"At an engraver's shop," Adam replied as if that should alarm Felix.

"I don't understand why that is significant," Felix finally said when it was apparent the gentleman expected him to say something.

"You don't understand why that's significant? Don't you realize what people do with cutting tools?"

"They cut into things."

"Things." Adam tapped the table with his fingers. "Or animals." He paused then arched an eyebrow. "Or even people."

It took Felix a long moment to get Adam's meaning. He chuckled in disbelief. "You can't be serious."

"Only mildly. But," Adam continued, "some people aren't. They're saying she is performing rituals to the devil with that cutting tool. There's a belief that blood sacrifices will help a witch get what she wants. And," he added with a pointed look, "someone saw her buy a crystal ball which we all know witches use for their sorcery."

"She's not a witch," Felix hissed.

"I believe you. You don't need to convince me. But how will you convince everyone else?"

Felix's shoulders slumped. How had the rumors gotten so out of control? Never in a million years did he think that a single rumor would result in all of this. He felt sick to his stomach. No one would be saying any of this about Elizabeth if it wasn't for him.

"I wouldn't worry about it," Adam assured him. "Maybe this will teach her that she should be nice to people."

"I don't care what she's done or hasn't done. She doesn't deserve this." And it was all his fault. If he didn't find a way to make things better, he didn't know if he could live with himself.

"Oh good," someone called out. "You're here."

The two looked over at Lord Wright who was heading in their direction. Though Lord Wright was married to Lydia's good friend, Carol, Felix didn't really know him. He wasn't even an acquaintance. If he recalled right, Lydia had referred to him as Grant one time.

Grant sat at the small table and offered Felix a nod, to which Felix reciprocated. "I heard they need an actor for the upcoming play at the theatre," Grant told Adam. "Are you interested? I happen to know someone who is related to the playwright."

Adam furrowed his eyebrows. "What is the play about?"

"It's a comedy about a man who believes he's a hero but really isn't," Grant said. "You'd have to stumble on purpose and mispronounce names. You do so much drama, it might be good to expand your theatrical skills."

Felix's eyebrows rose in interest. "I didn't realize you were an actor," he told Adam.

Adam shrugged. "The theatrical makeup, wig, and costume hide my natural good looks." His gaze went back to Grant. "I don't know if engaging in folly appeals to me. I enjoy the darker tales. They resonate more with people."

"There's nothing wrong with making people laugh." Grant glanced at Felix. "What do you think? Do you enjoy comedies?"

"I like all kinds of tales," Felix replied. "I also like them in books and at the theatre."

Adam shifted toward Felix in interest. "Did you see the play about the man who went mad and killed his entire family and then himself?"

Felix nodded. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. It was morbid, but the story was engaging.

"I was the lead in that one," Adam said.

Felix didn't hide his surprise. "I thought the lead was played by Mr. Jefferson Crowdy."

"That's what I go by in the theatre. If you tell anyone, I'll deny it." Adam turned his attention back to Grant. "I'm not in the mood for a comedy. I'd rather do something else with my time."

"Before you make a final decision, I want you to read the play," Grant insisted. "This is something I think you'd really enjoy."

Adam paused for a long moment then sighed. "All right. For the sake of our friendship, I'll take a look at the script. Have the playwright send a copy to my address."

Grant seemed considerably happy by the promise.

Oscar returned to the table and handed Felix a glass of water. "Do you two gentlemen want something to drink?"

"I'll have some brandy," Adam said while Grant declined the offer. "I'm glad you're here, Oscar. Perhaps we can convince Grant to take an interest in our project."

Project? Felix's eyebrows rose. So Oscar and Adam were calling the silly love potion a ‘project' now? Felix took a sip of the water and glanced at the chessboard, which wasn't likely to be used now that the other two had joined the table.

Not hiding his excitement, Oscar ran off to get more brandy before he returned. He sat in the remaining empty seat. "It's based on science," he told Grant. "I've been doing my research, and I think we can create a drink that will make someone fall in love with another person."

Grant frowned. "Why would you want to do that? Isn't it better if the person falls in love with the other person of their own volition?"

"But what if you can't get the lady of your choice to fall in love with you?" Adam asked. To Felix's horror, he pointed to him and added, "Felix could benefit from something like this. It might even change his wife for the better. Surely, a lady who loves her husband won't want to engage in sorcery."

"She does detest him," Oscar agreed, as if Felix wasn't sitting right there to hear what he was saying. "All she does is glare at him when we eat. If Felix would allow it, I'd eat in another room. It's not easy to eat with all of that tension going on. But, alas, he won't let me eat outside of the dining room."

"Because you're messy," Felix inserted. "Besides, you don't only eat in the dining room. You slip food into your pockets so you can nibble on it from time to time. Don't think I don't notice." He pointed an accusing finger at his brother. "I saw you do it on my wedding day. I also noticed it every time you did it at the country manor. I did notice, and I didn't approve of it one bit. The only reason I kept my mouth shut was that we had to deal with Guy and his silly superstitions."

Adam grimaced. "I hate to say it, Oscar, but putting food in your pockets is disgusting."

"Sometimes I get hungry between meals," Oscar argued. "Look at me. I'm so thin that I'd wither up and die if I didn't keep eating."

Felix looked heavenward but didn't respond.

"Why don't you seek love lessons from the Duchess of Ashbourne if you're having trouble finding a lady to love you?" Grant asked Adam and Oscar. "My wife didn't need them to make me love her, but I admit the duchess does good work."

Oscar gave Grant a skeptical look. "Are you certain your wife loves you?"

Grant pulled a pink ribbon from his breast pocket. "She gave me this as a token of her affection. I carry it with me to remind myself of her. That way, wherever I go, she's with me."

"That's disgustingly sweet," Adam remarked. "I prefer listening to Oscar tell me how much his sister-in-law hates Felix."

Felix sighed in frustration. This conversation wouldn't be so aggravating if they weren't acting as if he wasn't at the table with them.

"Since when are you opposed to love?" Grant asked Adam.

"I'm not opposed to it," Adam replied. "Why do you think I'm helping Oscar create a love potion?"

Grant studied him for a moment then shrugged. "All right, but it did sound like you lost your sense of romance. For a moment, I thought you were Lord Maxwell."

"I just happen to find the situation between Felix and the harpy more entertaining than listening to how your marriage is perfect."

Felix cleared his throat. "I haven't left the table. I can hear everything you're saying about me."

Adam blinked as if he had, indeed, forgotten about him.

"Felix said he won't invest in our enterprise," Oscar told Adam before he directed his gaze to Grant. "Perhaps you might be interested?"

Grant's eyebrows furrowed. "I don't know."

Undeterred by Grant's reluctant reply, Oscar launched into the spiel he had been pestering Felix with for the past week. Worse, Adam hurried to join in. Felix decided he'd had enough. He got up and left the table.

He could stay at Marco's, but there wasn't anything to do here. He ended up going to the market to check out the books that had recently been published. One might feel sorry for him, but it was nice to spend time alone, searching for new books to read. No one he knew loved books the way he did. Lydia and Oscar got bored when they joined him at the market. Today, he didn't have to worry about that. Also, he finally had money to buy more than one book.

As it turned out, he bought five that he was anxious to start reading. On the way home, he agonized over which he would read first. It'd been a long time since he'd had this type of decision to make. It felt nice. Having money didn't solve all of his problems, but it did give him a sense of relief.

He still hadn't fully made up his mind when he walked up the steps of his townhouse, though he had narrowed the choice down to two books. If he wasn't careful, he was going to stay up through the night in order to read them both in the same day. He couldn't let that happen. He needed to be alert tomorrow morning. Guy was due over here with one of his friends who was willing to share information about a promising investing venture—and this one had nothing to do with silly love potions.

Felix went to the drawing room. He placed the books on the table in front of the settee then selected the two that had been giving him the most angst. He knew it was foolish, but he would have to flip a coin.

Just as he pulled a coin from his pocket, he noticed the small statue of an owl perched on the fireplace mantle. He blinked to make sure he hadn't imagined it. After all, there had been small statues of owls perched along random furnishings at his country estate. It would be easy to let a figment of his imagination play tricks on him.

He went over to it. The thing didn't take up a lot of space, and it had been discreetly placed between two candlesticks he never lit. The candlesticks had belonged to his mother. He didn't know why she'd had them in her possession, but she used to keep them on her vanity. She never lit the candles she placed in them, so he decided he wouldn't, either. Every time he looked at them, he thought of her. Of all the people in the world, she seemed to understand him the most. She didn't try to make him be something he wasn't. She had loved him unconditionally.

His heart warm at the memory of the way she used to smile at him, his gaze went back to the owl. The thing was surprisingly rich in detail. If it hadn't been made of silver, he would have thought the thing was real. The eyes, the beak, the feathers, and the talons had been carved to make it look realistic. The owls at his country estate home were nothing this elaborate. He took a step back and took in the entire mantle. Elizabeth had an eye for decoration. One would swear the silver candlestick holders had been made to complement the owl.

Someone cleared their throat, and Felix turned to see the butler. He ignored the wave of disappointment that swept over him. He couldn't be surprised that Elizabeth wouldn't come into this room as long as he was here.

"May I get you something to eat or drink, my lord?" the butler asked.

"I'll take a glass of milk in the library," Felix replied.

The butler seemed surprised that Felix had instructed him to take the milk to a different room, but he nodded and hurried off to do as Felix wished.

Now that Felix knew Elizabeth had put one of her things in this room, he didn't want to intrude on her space. She had chosen this room to put that beautiful owl in because she wanted to spend time in here. The least he could do was allow her that freedom. He gathered the books and left the drawing room.