“When did you become wise?”
“Horrifying, isn’t it?” He squeezed her fingers.
“Look, I can ask around about someone named Nicholas, but without more information…” Felix spread his hands helplessly. “It’s not exactly an uncommon name among our set.”
“I don’t know anything else.”
Felix began ticking off on his fingers with theatrical precision. “The first Nicholas that comes to mind is Lord Hartwell, but he’s currently scandalizing Bath with a merchant’s daughter. Another is Lord Crawford, who is approaching seventy and hasn’t been capable of fathering anything more demanding than a strongly worded letter in decades.”
Despite everything, Iris felt her lips twitch. “This is serious, Felix.”
“I’m being serious. Let’s see… Lord Fairfax is in India with the East India Company, presumably still breathing.” He paused dramatically. “Oh, and there’s Lord Whitmore, but he’s been more interested in young men than potential mothers since Eton.”
“Felix.”
“I’m simply being thorough. Without more details about your mysterious Nicholas, I’m rather shooting in the dark.” His expression grew more serious. “Though I could make some discrete inquiries if you’d like. See if any recently deceased Nicholas was known for leaving calling cards in nurseries, so to speak.”
Iris pressed her fingers to her temples. “The Duke is being deliberately vague. He knows exactly who this Nicholas was, but he won’t tell me.”
“Then perhaps the question isn’t who Nicholas was, but why the Duke won’t trust you with the truth.”
Felix studied her face. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Heat flooded her cheeks. “Nothing.”
“Iris, I’ve known you since you were in pinafores. That’s your guilty face.”
“I don’t have a guilty face.”
“You do. Your nose does this little thing when you’re hiding something.” He wrinkled his nose to demonstrate. “See? Just like that.”
Despite everything, she laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”
“But effective. Come on, Cousin. What happened?”
She couldn’t tell him about the kiss. The words wouldn’t come. But she could share other fears.
“What if Evie is his?” she asked instead. “What if this whole elaborate story is just a cover for his indiscretion?”
“Then he’s going to extraordinary lengths for a lie. He could have rejected her and sent her away. Instead, he’s claimed her in public and allowed thetonto believe she’s legitimate.” Felix shook his head. “Whatever else your husband is, he’s not stupid. This course puts him at risk, too.”
“Unless he’s playing a longer game.”
“Chess master Carridan, planning twelve moves ahead?” Felix snorted. “The man’s barely holding himself together, Iris. Didn’tyou see him a few days ago? He looked ready to crack when I swung at him.”
She had seen. There had been a flash of something raw when he’d spoken of Nicholas. He had only managed to dodge away from Felix because of careful control that seemed more desperate than cold.
“I hate this,” she admitted. “Not knowing. Wondering. Every time I think I understand something, it shifts.”
“Then ask him.”
“I have. He deflects.”
“Ask better questions.” Felix rose and pulled her up with him. “And maybe try not looking like you’re about to bolt every time he enters a room. Men are simple creatures. We respond better to honey than vinegar.”
“Now you’re giving me marriage advice?”
“Terrifying times we live in.” He kissed her cheek. “I should go. But Iris? That baby upstairs needs more than one person to protect her. Maybe it’s time to find out if your husband can be trusted with that job.”
