Page 56 of Yours Truly, the Duke
Wyatt was beginning to think the children had never been in an open carriage ride before and had no idea how to act. Everything they passed, from houses, to shops, to carts and kites, should have excited them. But no. They remained prim as always and perfectly still with their hands clasped sweetly together in their laps. Wyatt had a feeling it was because Fredericka had given them detailed instructions on how to properly behave in a carriage before they left the house.
Though there had been little conversation between the two of them since she met Rick and Hurst, it was nice to feel the warmth of her sitting next to him. It helped soothe his concerned thoughts about the children’s lack of enthusiasm to be outside.
When Wyatt couldn’t take the children’s silence any longer, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small leather ball he’d had since youth. He’d brought it for them to play with once they stopped for a walk and refreshments. It was about the size of a fresh apple and would fit nicely in the palms of the children’s hands.
He glanced at Fredericka. She had closed her eyesand lifted her chin, seeming to be soaking in the warm rays of the sun. She looked beautiful in her reposed state, and he enjoyed looking at her for a few seconds. As he did, an idea too mischievous to resist popped into his mind. While she wasn’t looking, he flipped his wrist and pitched the ball right into Charles’ resting hands. The lad fumbled it a little but managed to hang on. His eyes rounded in surprise, and he quickly looked at Fredericka as if suspecting a scolding before shifting his gaze to Wyatt. He smiled at Charles. Fredericka hadn’t stirred from her relaxed state, but Bella and Elise saw the action. Their eyes had brightened too.
Wyatt motioned with his head for Charles to toss the ball to Elise. Charles studied on the request, grinned, and plopped it right into her hands. She caught it and looked into Wyatt’s eyes. He motioned for her to throw it across Charles to Bella, who’d witnessed everything and was patiently waiting her turn with hands cupped together in eagerness. Cautious as always, Elise hesitated. He gave another short jerk of his head toward Bella. Without further ado, Elise sent the ball flying to her sister, who caught it and hugged it to her chest.
Wyatt pointed to himself with his thumb and nodded to Bella. Understanding, she threw it back to him, but much harder than expected, and closer to his face than his hands. He ducked and bobbled the ball to keep it from falling to the floor of the coach. That caught Fredericka’s attention.
“What are you doing?” she asked, looking at the ball in his hand.
“Playing,” he stated, throwing the ball to Charles again. “Something you don’t know enough about, Duchess.”
Charles snickered and Bella clasped her hands over her mouth trying to stifle her giggle.
Fredericka tweaked her shoulders and tried to look as if his comment didn’t bother her. “Of course I do.”
“Then you can prove it right now. Stop the carriage.” he called to the driver.
The man maneuvered the conveyance off the road and onto a grassy area. As soon as the wheels rolled to a stop, Wyatt jumped down and reached back into the landau to help Bella and Elise down. Charles jumped off by himself.
“Your turn,” Wyatt said, reaching back for Fredericka.
She held out her hand. “I’m not much good at throwing or catching a ball.”
“Don’t worry.” He closed his fingers around hers. “You won’t have to be.” The moment her feet hit the ground he tapped her on the shoulder and said, “Tag, you’re it.”
“Come on!” he called to the children, and started running. “Don’t let her catch you.”
After a few minutes of chasing the youngsters across the budding slopes and swapping tags with them, Wyatt motioned for Fredericka to join him for a rest while the children continued to play. She started walking toward him and, smiling, he strode to meet her.
“It looks as if everyone is having a good time,” he offered as they stopped under the shade of a small tree.
“They are,” she said after inhaling a deep, calming breath.
“And you are having an extremely good time.” Wyatt’s gaze stayed on her face. “You’re tired from running and your cheeks are flushed, but I’ve never seen you so relaxed.” It was as if the concern and weariness that he usually saw in her eyes was gone. “You look like a new person.”
Her smile softened, as it always did when things weregood with the children. “I didn’t realize the strain of what’s happening showed so distinctly. I admit I wasn’t ready for the challenge of children, but now I don’t think I could bear losing them.” She breathed deeply again.
That protective instinct kicked inside him again. “Nonsense, Fredericka. You’re not going to lose them. Don’t even think that,” he insisted. “I’ve not met a lady with your courage, resourcefulness, or determination. You’ve coped very well so far and will continue,” he said, then realized she wasn’t looking for pats on the back for looking after the children.
She was opening up to him about her feelings, and that caused an affection for her in Wyatt he didn’t want to explore. Getting too involved in Fredericka’s life would upset his. That was the last thing he wanted. He would indulge her while here, but she would be going back to Paddleton in a few days and that’s the way Wyatt wanted it.
“It’s good to see Elise enjoying herself as much as the other two,” Fredericka explained as she watched them play. “Thank you for agreeing to do this. It’s like the old adage of killing two birds with one stone. The children need to play, and we need to be seen doing family things.”
“As you said, it won’t hurt, and may help. Besides, I needed to do something to make up for what happened the night you arrived and then in the drawing room. I don’t want the children to think I’m an ogre or that they aren’t welcomed in my home.”
Fredericka turned back to him. Her gentle gaze held his. “They certainly don’t think that now. They were tremendously excited to pick out their own schoolroom and supplies. Each of them made specific requests to Burns for their own personal supplies.”
“I’m glad,” he said, feeling much too comfortable with her for his own good, and future.
Bella screamed and Fredericka focused her attention on the little girl who was sprinting faster toward Charles and Elise, who were in the lead.
“Slow down, Charles; let her catch you!” Fredericka called, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand as she walked toward them.
Bella complained loudly again but didn’t let the protest stop her pursuit.
