Free Felicia by Leonora Blythe

morning.”
    “Ever the diplomat, eh, David?” Lord Umber murmured. He glanced at Felicia and noticed that her rigid stance relaxed slightly under Mr. Burton’s kindly gaze. A feeling of annoyance surged through him. This was the first time he had ever noticed David’s defending a lady, and it bothered him. He shrugged his shoulders slightly. “Shall we join the others?” he asked casually and led the way to the green salon.
    Lady Louisa was looking anxiously toward the door when the three entered. She frowned at the expression on her son’s face and wondered what could have upset him. However, the scowl lifted when he saw his mother and his ill humor dissipated as he looked with appreciation at the entrancing figure of Lady Barbara. He strolled over to his latest flirt, making an elegant leg while apologizing profusely for his tardiness. Within seconds he had her laughing, and Lady Louisa was left to ponder whether Felicia had been the witting or unwitting cause of her son’s black mood.

Six
    Felicia’s emotions were in a turmoil all evening and she was thankful when dinner was over and she could retire. Lady Louisa reluctantly accepted her excuse of a headache, but saw that Felicia was unhappy about something.
    Now, in the daylight, with the sun shining through her bedroom curtains, Felicia wondered if last night had not been a nightmare. But no, for she would never forget the dark looks Lord Umber had thrown at her throughout the meal. How they had contrasted with the seemingly genuine smiles of affection he bestowed on Lady Barbara. And she was still smarting from the sharp words he had used after her light-hearted confession. It was only Mr. Burton’s intervention that had prevented their exchanging further hard words, words that Felicia knew she certainly would have regretted later. For whatever her feelings toward Lord Umber, she had grown exceedingly fond of Lady Louisa and did not want to cause her benefactress any undue stress.
    Only yesterday, Lady Louisa had confided in Felicia her fears about her son. His reputation was irksome to her, but the gossip about his latest flirt filled her with dread that he might be seriously considering marriage. At this point, she had not met Lady Barbara, but her overactive imagination had conjured up horrendous images of Barbara and she liked none of them. They were caused, in the main, by her acquaintance with Barbara’s mother, whom Lady Louisa had known since childhood. “A more grasping, haughty, argumentative woman I have yet to meet.” And the word had reached her at Alverston that Barbara took after her mother.
    Felicia shook off her feeling of depression and went downstairs in search of Dr. Ross. She wanted to see him one last time before he set off for London. She made for the rose garden and, as she passed the conservatory that housed the remaining orchids, she pulled a wry face.
    “That hardly encourages the growth of such sensitive blooms, Miss Richards,” a voice murmured behind her.
    She whirled around and was appalled to see Lord Umber smiling down at her sardonically.
    “I am told I must apologize for my behavior last night,” he continued, ignoring her exclamation of dismay. “Your champion, Mr. Burton, is quite out of patience with me.”
    “Indeed, sir,” Felicia sputtered, her eyes glinting dangerously. “Your apologies are not necessary. I do confess that I found your reaction to my simple mistake puzzling … .”
    “Simple mistake!” he exclaimed. “You could have cost me ten thousand guineas.”
    Felicia gasped at his words, but the contempt she had felt earlier at the talk of gambling welled up within her. His words proved he too was a hardened gambler. “’Tis less than the price of a house in Richmond,” she said calmly and then instantly regretted her words as she saw the look of disgust spread over Lord Umber’s face. Bracing herself for another verbal attack, she drew herself up and squared her shoulders defensively.
    This