Page 26 of Yours Truly, the Duke
“Because I don’t intend to give up my pursuit of Angela’s children and I will use anything at my disposal to do that.”
Fredericka felt as if a lead ball had been dropped into her stomach, and she straightened. She’d hoped what the duke had said would be true, marriage to him would make Jane give up the idea of gaining guardianship of the children.
Jane rose from the chair with a sighing breath. “You shouldn’t mind that. You have done the same by marrying the duke. I want the children to be mine, and I’m going to see they are.”
Old feelings of jealousy Fredericka had always tried so hard to defeat wanted to take root again. “You don’t have a leg to stand on.”
“Angela always treated me like a sister, and she loved me as much if not more than she loved you,” Jane continued in a mock-cheerful tone. “My parents took both of you into our home and treated you like daughters. Angela would want me to care for her children since we were so close. It’s a shame no guardians other than my parents were stipulated in her husband’s will and they have passed on. Now that you are married, there is no reason you can’t have children of your own. That is, if you can get your husband to stay the night with you.”
Taking a step forward, Fredericka issued a warning with her eyes. “You are going too far.”
Jane held fast to her ground, seeming not the least intimidated by Fredericka’s unusual show of aggression. “I haven’t gone nearly as far as I’m willing to go.”
Fredericka was beginning to believe her and that was terrifying.
“Perhaps you don’t remember, but Nelson’s brother Viscount Longington has agreed to look into the matter at Chancery, as he has a close friend there. He is willing to put in a good word with the court for us. Nelson and I have had a strong marriage for eight years and have loved the children as our own.”
Fredericka couldn’t let that stand without a challenge. “Loved them? You’ve seldom seen them.”
“Only since you’ve been caring for them, my dear. Angela and I visited each other a couple of times a year. Surely you remember.” She smiled sweetly and picked up her bonnet and cape. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to see the children before I go. I brought confections from London for them.”
“Yes, of course,” Fredericka said tightly. The sooner Jane saw the children, the sooner she would leave. “They are outside getting fresh air and learning about all the flowers that are sprouting in the garden. I’ll have Mrs.—”
“No need to bother anyone,” Jane said with a happy lilt to her voice. She nodded toward the desk covered in interview papers. “You look busy. I know the house and grounds well. I’ll see myself out to the back lawn.”
Watching her walk away, Fredericka was about to sigh with relief when Jane pivoted at the doorway and turned back.
“Oh, not that you asked, but I would have loved to stay for dinner and overnight, but I’ll be on my way back to London as soon as I give the children a kiss and a hug and spend a little time with them.…” She paused and gave a snobbish glance around the book room. “I couldn’t bear the thought of staying in this drafty old house when London is only two hours away and there’s plenty of daylight to travel.”
Fredericka tensed again. “What do you mean you couldn’t stay here? This is the children’s home.”
“For now. But I’m not opposed to them returning here for a visit after they are mine. I want them to be happy so I’ll allow them to visit from time to time.”
“Visit?” Fredericka’s chest tightened with anger. She thought of how Elise had clung to her after the wedding, fearful she would be left alone and abandoned the way she felt after her mother died.
“Of course. They will have a governess, tutors, servants. Whatever they need, no matter where they are. They are my family, and I intend to make them feel as if they are my own.”
“How about love?” Fredericka shot back, the veryreal thought of losing them causing a hollow ache in her chest. “They need that as well.”
“I’ll be sure to give them plenty of that too. I always have. Just as I always loved your sister. Don’t worry, Fredericka. Children are adaptable. They settle in wherever they are.”
Without saying more, Jane turned and left.
Fredericka walked over to the window again. The children were not studying the flower garden and learning about the various plants and trees that grew on the grounds. Miss Litchfield was sitting on a garden bench with her nose stuck in her own book and paying no attention to the children, as she so often did. Fredericka definitely had to make a decision about an additional governess.
Elise and Charles were throwing a ball to each other, and Bella was twirling around with arms outstretched and holding a doll in each hand. Fredericka smiled as she watched their carefree activities. It gave her such pleasure to watch them play. She knew, at times, she worried too much about how they were behaving instead of simply being happy they were with her, but she wanted to be a good mother to them for Angela.
But right now there was something far more important she had to do. Counter Jane’s machinations, and something just flashed through her mind. Though Fredericka would like to take a long time studying over the ramifications of how her idea would affect her or the children, there wasn’t time. A decision needed to be made quickly. There was one thing Fredericka was sure of. Jane’s impromptu visit to Paddleton hadn’t been just to let Fredericka know she was not giving up her desire to take the children. She had been on an expedition tofind out more about Fredericka’s hasty marriage to the duke. No doubt to use against her in court.
The children stopped playing and ran to meet Jane. She hugged them generously and started dispersing her treats. They had always enjoyed her visits even though they were short. She’d never had to teach them anything, calm them if they got upset, or soothe them when they cried. She’d never had to promise to stay with them when they were frightened to be alone, or discipline them when they misbehaved.
All Jane knew how to do was breeze into Paddleton for an hour or two, lavish gifts and treats on them, and leave. That’s what Fredericka’s role in their lives used to be too. When her sister was alive.
Fredericka drummed her fingers on her crossed arms. She’d known all along her cousin was serious. When Jane set her mind to something she wanted, she didn’t give up. She was going to continue her efforts to do everything possible to take the children away.
“Let her try,” Fredericka said aloud. “A duke trumps a viscount and his youngest brother.”
There was only one thing Fredericka could do. If the gossips in London didn’t believe she had a real marriage with the duke because she wasn’t living with him, clinging to his side every day with visits to the parks, attending parties and other social events, she needed to do something to put a stop to that kind of talk.
