He sobered. Declaring himself would do him little good. Sally was still engaged to be married, still not free to be with him openly, but her confusion gave him hope. If she could be jealous of a little flirting aimed at him, then that meant she might still have stronger feelings for him she’d not yet revealed. He might yet have time to convince her to cry off.
But then what? Ask her to wait forever or marry her by special license against her family’s wishes, only to abandon her to wait for a return that might never come if he were killed in the next battle? That was not the life for her. She belonged among her family where she would be loved and kept safe from harm.
Could he even marry Sally and return to war without breaking her heart again?
He rubbed a hand over his face, conflicted in a way he had never expected. Yes, he wanted Sally with a desperate ache that never went away. But he did not want to leave her behind, disappointed, lonely, and wondering if he lived. She could not come with him.
“Say something.” Sally whispered.
“I think doubt is natural.” He paused. “But you have a chance for a home and love with Ellicott. It was never my intention to make trouble for you.”
“I know.” She smiled. “But trouble seems to follow wherever you go.”
He took in her expression. “Steady on, sweetheart. Trouble seems to follow you too.”
She pressed her fingers to her temple. “I had hoped to have grown out of my impulsive nature by now. However, it seems I am doomed to make the same mistakes. Perhaps in another year I will have grown out of my rash temper.”
“Do not.” He smiled, losing the last of his anger. “It is one of your most endearing qualities. You are unexpected and bold and entirely too delicious not to kiss as often as can be managed.”
She laughed at last and grasped his arm. Warmth flowed into him, and he leaned in to deliver a kiss. Unfortunately, the doors creaked open behind them at that moment, and he jerked back in his seat even as Sally bounced out of her chair to stand.
“Excellent,” Rutherford exclaimed as he returned. “Now that problem is taken care of, where were we? Ah yes, I want to hear how you managed to lose your masthead and still win the day.”
“I would like to know that too,” Sally agreed, her eyes shining with unguarded interest. She took her seat and reopened the journal. “My brothers do not believe you did it without help.”
The duke groaned loudly as he sat.
“Well, we did. My officers have christened it the Hastings Maneuver,” Felix said as he stood. “Would you care for a drink, Your Grace?”
“Better make it a double.” The duke wrung his hands. “My old bones are aching like the very devil today. A shot or two of whiskey might help ease the pain.”
Felix slipped the duke his glass, and when he sat he changed chairs so he could be nearer to Sally while t
hey talked about his past.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Sally sank into the empty space beside Felix. “How are you enjoying your stay at Newberry Park, Captain?”
“Quite well indeed,” he replied companionably. In a softer voice, he added, “I gather we are still pretending not to know each other as well as we do.”
“I think that would be best for the present. I hope you do not mind.” Sally glanced across the room to where her future mother-in-law sat and her intended stood. The two people she most wanted to avoid tonight were never far enough away. She had so much to say to Felix and could not help but feel time was running out. “My grandfather has asked me to present a proposal. He wishes to offer you a position at Newberry Park.”
His brow rose. “I am already in the service of my country. What more could he want from me?”
Nerves beset her as she answered. “He wishes you to make your home at Newberry Park after the war.”
Felix’s eyes widened and he glanced around. Grandfather was noticeably absent from the family tonight. “Does he now? Hmm. I thought he was up to something but could not put my finger on his scheme at first.”
“What do you mean?”
“It has become all too clear that your father did not summon me to Newberry Park. I am here only because the duke wishes to see me. At first I thought he meant to punish me with news of your engagement, but that must not be it after all. That enquiry into my character is quite the charade though. What position does he mean to offer?”
“Estate manager. The position comes with living quarters, the estate manager’s office for yourself—all within the great house—and a goodly sum of money and respect.”
“I see.” He sat back, crossing one leg over the other. He was informally dressed tonight in dark coat and trousers and quite handsome out of his naval uniform. “Managing the estate is your role, is it not?”
“It has been until now, but once I marry I cannot be around enough to do any good. My grandfather has not advertised the vacancy and has told no one else of this offer as far as I know.”