Page 78 of Yours Truly, the Duke
No.
Fredericka banished that line of thinking quickly. It couldn’t be love. The duke was an undisciplined man-about-town. Except, she thought, for his training andclub’s tournaments. He was quite serious when it came to preparing for those games so he could win the matches and the wagers he’d placed on them.
“So do you think you could help me if I came for a visit one afternoon this week?”
“Perhaps sometime later in the Season, Miss Fenway. I don’t know if Wyatt told you, but I’m responsible for my two nieces and nephew. They are still adjusting to London and need a lot of my attention.”
“Yes, I understand,” she said, but Fredericka could see that she didn’t. The sparkle left her eyes and her smile turned tentative. She expected an invitation to tea, and soon.
Feeling she might have sounded harsh, Fredericka added, “If my schedule changes over the next week or two, I’ll send a note over to you.”
Miss Fenway’s expression brightened. “That would be lovely. I can hold any particular day open for you, if you—”
“Your Grace,” Jane said, sweeping from behind Miss Fenway to curtsey before Fredericka. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I must be leaving soon and wanted to make sure we had time to speak. Since we are family.” She looked over to Miss Fenway and smiled. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all,” she answered, but made no move to excuse herself. “Please join us.”
Fredericka knew that’s not what her cousin wanted and wouldn’t take kindly to Miss Fenway not respecting the hint to leave.
Jane gave Miss Fenway her practiced smile. “I need a moment alone with my cousin. Walk with me, Fredericka.”
Fredericka looked at Wyatt. He was watching her soshe lifted her chin and gave him a confident smile as she and Jane started weaving their way through the crowded room at a slow stroll.
“You look stunning tonight,” Jane said without a hint of mockery. “I see Mrs. Parashu was the perfect designer for you.”
Praise wasn’t something Jane dished out easily or often. She wasn’t one to say you looked lovely if you didn’t. Sparing someone’s feelings had never been something Jane would do. Fredericka took the compliment as intended and felt herself walking a little taller.
“Thank you. I’ve been pleased with her eye for color and style.”
“And I’m sure she appreciated the extra you paid her for working so fast and diligently to see you had an appropriate gown for this evening.”
“Quite pleased,” Fredericka agreed with no reservation.
“It’s nice to see you and the duke working so hard to make everyone believe you are now indeed a happily married couple. Quite impressive how he introduced you tonight—making the showy display of getting everyone’s attention with the gong.” Jane smiled again. “Only a duke or the king would have the courage to do it. How many times did you have to practice looking so adoringly at each other?”
Did they? Fredericka felt curls of pleasure at the thought of the duke looking at her that way and Jane noticing! Her thoughts magically flew back to the garden with his lips so deliciously pressed against hers, the drops of rain cooling their heated bodies as they kissed and kissed so passionately before escaping into the house. Therewassomething between them. She just didn’t know what it was.
“Actually, Jane, the way we looked at each other is quite natural and normal. No practice or pretense is needed for either of us.” Which was surprising after their heated disagreement about the children yesterday. That was none of her cousin’s concern.
“Amazing considering all the gossip. But, in any case, it appears everyone is delighted to see you two finally together at a ball after that calamitous reunion at the duke’s house the night you arrived.”
It was impossible for Jane to be nice for long. Fredericka raised her brows as if she were unconcerned. “It’s easy to talk gossip.”
“So true,” Jane added as if she were as disinterested as Fredericka.
“Excuse me, ladies.”
Fredericka turned to see Wyatt striding up beside her. He lightly placed his hand to her lower back as he stopped.
“I hope you don’t mind, Mrs. Tomkin, if I take Fredericka away from you long enough to have a dance.”
Fredericka’s heartbeat pounded. He’d come to rescue her. Appreciation filled her and she smiled at him.
“No, of course not, Your Grace. I’m going to be leaving soon anyway.”
“A shame since Fredericka just arrived.”
Jane looked at Fredericka and lifted her chin a notch above normal. “I know,” she said, giving her attention back to Wyatt. “I heard your Brass Deck Club has a tournament in Oxford soon. Several gentlemen are traveling up for the event. There seems to be quite the excitement surrounding it. Clever to have such a large event during the Season. It should be rewarding. I’ll be cheering for your club now that you are family. You don’t mind, do you?”
