The Wedding Affair (Rebel Hearts series Book 1) by Heather Boyd Page B

you excuse me? I need to speak with your father.”
    “Of course.” She smiled sadly but caught his arm to prevent him going immediately. “Perhaps later today or tomorrow if you are free, you might like to walk with me in the gardens. I would love to hear more of your life and of Laurence especially.”
    The wistfulness of her tone blunted his immediate denial, and he phrased his response more carefully. “I am not sure if I will have an opportunity. It all depends on the admiral.”
    “Forgive me. I miss my twin, but he does not write to me anymore. He only cares to share his adventures with his wife. Cecily reads me parts of his correspondence, but it is not the same as receiving his confidences directly.”
    He understood something of the bonds between siblings even if he was not close to his own. He nodded. “If there is time, I will seek you out before I depart the estate and share all that I can.”
    With that intention in mind, arranging his departure, he said good-bye and reentered the breakfast room. The admiral had already excused himself, so he ventured out into the hall in search of him, or a footman to ask for directions.
    He found Admiral Templeton in the Newberry Park great library, but he was not alone. A stranger, likely a messenger, dressed all in black had his attention. Felix hung back a moment to give them privacy, and after a hushed, whispered conversation, Admiral Templeton turned away with a furious scowl. He stormed off toward the duke’s study, and Felix trailed behind. The door banged shut loudly, cutting off any chance of hearing the conversation. After a few moments, the door reopened, only it was the butler leaving instead of the admiral.
    Felix peeked inside and discovered the duke standing alone at a window that overlooked the drive.
    Behind Felix, the sound of harness and carriage moving off drifted into the hall.
    “Good morning, Captain.” Rutherford gestured Felix into the room with an impatient wave of his hand. “I trust you slept well last night.”
    “I did, and thank you.”
    The duke cleared his throat. “My son has just now received an urgent message and been recalled to London. He will not be able to meet with you as he would have liked. He will not return for several days in fact.”
    “I will go and pack and follow him to London. Perhaps there he will have time to see me.”
    “No!” the duke exclaimed, thumping his canes on the floor to forestall his exit. “My son insisted you wait here for his return.”
    Damnation!
    The duke shuffled to his desk and sat with a groan before he continued, “Since the timing of his return is uncertain, his place will be taken by others.”
    Felix moved to stand before the table. “I was given to believe the matter that brought me here was urgent.”
    “And it is,” the duke barked. “Absolutely vital.”
    “Then what is this about?” Felix folded his arms across his chest, belligerence heating his blood at the unnecessary delay. “The admiral has told me nothing of my purpose in being here.”
    The duke appeared amused rather than intimidated by his posture. “This is about your career, Captain. Your very future as commander of the Selfridge .”
    “Why now of all times?” he asked, incredulous. “We have almost won the day. I have made you very rich, and surely you can have no complaints.”
    “Watch your tone!” The duke straightened up, brows lifting. “Do you not think I am owed an accounting? Until I am satisfied with your conduct, you are ordered to remain at Newberry Park to answer an inquiry into your command.”
    Felix jutted out his jaw, furious that his career could hang in the balance because of the duke’s whim. But then had it not always depended on someone else? He was also now suspicious that Admiral Templeton was not the driving force behind his presence at Newberry Park. Was he here only because the Duke of Rutherford wished to see him squirm and to torture him with Sally’s outstanding match?