Page 68 of Yours Truly, the Duke
“How?” she asked quickly.
“He said under most circumstances he would always consider a duke’s wishes over a viscount’s unless there were extenuating circumstances. Such as the children being harmed in some way.”
“I work very hard to see they are safe at all times.” Hope throbbed in her chest but Wyatt didn’t seem as joyful as she was feeling. “So then, we are almost assured to win.”
“I believe that. I always have. He’s a political manand very careful what he says and how he says it. I still have Epworth working the possibility there might be a matter before parliament where I can be of help to him or his party to reinforce our position but right now they have the majority and there’s nothing pressing I can help with.”
“So there’s nothing we can do to make absolutely sure?”
“Yes, there is. Exactly what we’ve been doing. Being a family and proving the children are not only safe in your care but happy.” Wyatt’s fingers lightly caressed down her neck, over the crest of her shoulder, and down to her upper arm with warmth and tenderness. She wanted to reach up and place her hand over his and accept the comfort he was offering. “I’ll practice for my club’s upcoming matches in the morning. In the afternoon we’ll take the children to the park again, let them play—”
Fredericka’s brows tightened as she pulled away from his touch again. “That was not a pleasant experience, Your Grace.”
“Nonsense,” he offered with a smile of amusement.
She gave him an expression of disbelief because sometimes he simply left her speechless. How could they see the same thing so differently? Was she just too prickly about some things as he’d suggested?
“Most of it was anyway,” Wyatt added after she remained silent. “The children loved it. Don’t worry, we won’t leave them to—” He stopped. “Wait, we’ll have to go to the park tomorrow morning. My card club is meeting here in the afternoon.”
“Here? The children will be in your way. I’ll take them with me to see the modiste and to meet with a tutor for Charles.”
“The children won’t be a bother. They can have theirlessons as usual. You go ahead with whatever you had planned.”
“I don’t know about that. I really think I should stay here and make sure Miss Litchfield keeps the children upstairs, quiet, and away from gentlemen engaging in their card activities. The girls especially shouldn’t witness such adult behavior.”
Wyatt touched her cheek again. “It’s cards, Fredericka. Keep your appointments as scheduled. The children will be fine. You need to stop worrying so much about them.”
Her chin lifted defiantly. He was so exasperating at times. “I fear it is you not worrying enough.”
“This falls right in with our plans. It will be good for the men to see me here with the children in the house and you out shopping. The kind of afternoon a real family would be expected to have, and the Lord Chancellor would like to hear this when we stand before him to plead our case.”
She pursed her lips as she considered his reasoning.
“That makes sense. Of course, we’ll do as you suggest.”
“Good.” He smiled sweetly as his gaze stayed on hers. “And I want you to go with me to the dance at the Grand Ballroom the day after tomorrow. We need to be seen together just the two of us.”
“A dance?” The unexpected invitation caused her breath to flutter in her throat. Her mind raced with possibilities of such a grand evening. “Are you sure me attending with you won’t upset your plans?”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m sure the ball will be the perfect time for me to properly introduce you to Society.”
“I don’t know if a gown can be finished by then,” she whispered.
“You could have one finished by tomorrow morning,” he insisted lightly. “You are a duchess, Fredericka. Your modiste will work day and night for you if necessary.”
“All right. Yes, of course I’ll go. I want to do everything possible to keep the children.”
“And remember, the children don’t have to be quiet all the time.”
“It’s best they have discipline in their lives.”
Wyatt’s jaw clinched hard as he sat back on the bench when she said the word “discipline,” but she continued, “If not for it they would end up being spoiled, self-centered, demanding attention, and thinking everyone should always agree to their wishes and be just like Jane.”
A clap of thunder rumbled and rolled right over their heads. “They need love, attention, understanding, and a fair hand.”
“I like to think I give them all that too. Contrary to your opinion of how I manage Elise, Charles, and Bella, my greatest wish is for them to grow into lovely adults who are well-mannered and filled with joys and merriment.”
His dark mood seemed to pass as quickly as it came and a twitch of amusement played around the corners of his mouth. “But only at the appropriate time, right?”
