Page 51 of Yours Truly, the Duke
“Don’t be upset with him,” Fredericka intervened, not wanting Wyatt or anyone to make a scene over her musings. “He’s right. It’s not a correspondence to anyone, but it is somewhat of a private nature. It’s my poetry.”
A degree of silence that she’d never experienced before fell over the room, startling her. The dukes lookedat one another as if an unwritten secret code passed between them.
Was it the word “poetry” that hushed them and made them go so still? Did all three of the dukes have an aversion to poetry? How could that have happened? Fredericka suddenly felt quite out of her depth in a house surrounded by men where verse wasn’t respected with the esteem it rightly deserved. Clearly their education was lacking on something most people deemed important.
Feeling she must defend herself from such troubling and unimaginable beliefs, she went on to say, “I’ve written poetry since I was a young girl. I have a collection and thought perhaps one day I might put them in a book.”
The silence continued.
They looked suspiciously at one another again before returning their attentions to her.
Determined not to be cowed by what was happening between the three friends, she continued, “Most of my poems are about flowers and nature. Of course, I don’t expect to ever receive any acclaim for them. I write only for my own enjoyment, but it’s nice to think of others receiving pleasure from my writings someday. I’ve shared various stories and poems with the children on occasions.”
“There’s nothing wrong with your poetry,” Wyatt offered gently, finally breaking the silence. He handed the folded pages to her.
“No, certainly not,” Hurst agreed. “I’m sure your efforts are beautiful and would be inspiring to many should you decide to let anyone read them.”
“Right, Fredericka,” Rick added in the same gentle tone as the other two dukes. “Not just anyone can write verse and make it stir the imagination of one’s soul anddreams. You should have read the first letter of proposal Wyatt was going to send to you. I’m sure you would have found favor with it.”
That was an odd statement. “I read it.” She glanced from Rick to Wyatt.
“Truly?” Rick’s brows shot up. “I thought Wyatt decided against sending it and wrote another. Well, it’s no wonder you agreed to marry him. I suggested to him a lady would appreciate a proposal filled with poetic lines and romanticisms.”
“What?” she asked, knowing all she had received from Wyatt was a terse one-line statement. It seemed there was another.
“That’s enough, Rick.” Wyatt issued a warning with his tone and tightness around his eyes and mouth.
Fredericka had no idea what exactly was going on, but she was curious.
Could what the Duke of Stonerick said be true? If so, that meant there had to be another proposal letter. Fredericka’s interest grew and she turned to Rick. “I think I should have liked that one very much.”
“My thoughts too,” he answered.
“No, you wouldn’t have,” Wyatt said firmly, sliding another warning gaze over to Rick. “It was rubbish and completely muddled by all the brandy we’d drunk by the time we finished writing it.”
“We?” Fredericka questioned as she straightened instinctively. “You were allowing them to help you write a letter asking me to marry you?”
Hurst mumbled something that sounded much like a swear under his breath. Rick held up his hand as if to proclaim innocence and turned away.
Fredericka cocked her head, shooting Wyatt a sidelong glance, waiting for confirmation, but there was no need for him to confess. Guilt was written on his face.
Wyatt shifted his stance uncomfortably. “There was an overindulgence of brandy consumed by all of us that night.”
“We might have been a little carried away with our desire to help our friend and verbose with our wording,” Hurst admitted quite innocently as he brushed his overly long hair away from his forehead.
“But rest assured most of the letter was written by Wyatt,” Rick added in a less than convincing tone.
Fredericka studied the men. She didn’t mind that he’d sought assistance from his friends. Every writer could use a good critique and a suggestion here and there. Whatever was written she never received it, but the dukes seemed quite concerned she might be upset about it. Why not use it to her advantage?
“Oh, I understand completely,” Fredericka said with an understanding smile as she stepped closer to Wyatt and settled her gaze intently on his. She added a sweet smile for good measure. “We are supposed to help each other when needs arise. You’re so busy with your training, I’m glad you found time to be with your friends and accept their assistance. That’s important. To be with people and help them when they need it.”
“It was very late in the evening, Fredericka.”
His intuitive stare and the quietness of his voice told her he knew where she was heading. Good. She’d carry on.
“Perhaps you’ll indulge me and find time for an afternoon ride in the park. I must take Elise shopping for thread tomorrow, but does the day after work for you?”
Wyatt opened his mouth to immediately answer, buthe obviously and smartly thought better of it and waited a moment or two as if to assess his answer.
