Page 77 of Yours Truly, the Duke
Wyatt’s gaze held fast on Fredericka. “As a sister. Nothing more.”
Fredericka didn’t know why she’d needed that assurance but was glad he gave it. “I remembered that too.” She glanced at the crowded dance floor. “There’s one thing I need to tell you.”
An uneasy expression settled on his face. “What?”
“I’m not very good at dancing. Passable at best.”
He gave her a teasing wink. “I’m glad there’s something I can do better than you.”
She laughed softly as the Duke of Stonerick and Duke of Hurstbourne joined them on the landing. Both greeted her with sincere smiles and praise.
“It’s good to see you, Duchess,” Rick offered after formal greetings were complete. “Wyatt hoped you would start feeling better so you could join him for the evening.”
Fredericka glanced at Wyatt. He gave her a rakish shrug. She was glad she’d changed her mind too. Turning back to Rick, she said, “It’s amazing what a little brandy and honey can do to make one feel better.”
“I always highly recommend it,” Rick offered with a grin.
“It’s almost as beneficial as putting your feet up and reading a few pages of poetry. You should try it sometime.”
“Perhaps I will. In another life.”
Fredericka and Rick laughed as a gong reverberated three times around the room. The music and dancing stopped. Everyone quieted and looked toward the entrance where they stood. Wyatt held up Fredericka’s hand in his and said, “Ladies and gentlemen. I present to you the Duchess of Wyatthaven.”
Wyatt then kissed her hand for all to see. At that moment, Fredericka felt as if she were the queen of the ball. But more than that. She sensed he really wanted her to stand by him as his wife.
The music started again and the roar of chatter and laughter resumed. Fredericka glanced at Wyatt with appreciation as he led her down the two steps and into the midst of the crowd.
The formalities of introductions seemed frenzied as they moved about the room meeting couple after couple. After the third or fourth, she was certain it would be difficult to remember all the names and titles but hoped she would recall the faces if they met again.
No one was familiar to her, until she was introduced to Miss Priscilla Fenway and her brother. Fredericka was not likely to forget the lady with coppery-brown hair who had been dancing with Wyatt at his house.
It didn’t take long for Miss Fenway to set her attention solely on Fredericka and say, “I have been waiting to meet you, Duchess. It’s been unfair of the duke to keep you all to himself for so long. I’ve asked him several times if I could arrange to meet you.”
There was obviously nothing shy about Miss Fenway but nothing pretentious in her manner either. She was confident in the way she spoke and seemed sincere in what she said.
Taking a quick glance at Wyatt, Fredericka saw he was already in deep conversation with Miss Fenway’s brother. “There were many things to get settled after we married and when I came to Town.”
“Yes, of course, but I’ve been eager to talk to you. I don’t have a sister and Grant has never married. I was hoping we would get along well together and you’d feel as if we were family as Wyatt does.”
That was quite a forward statement considering they had just met. Miss Fenway hadn’t sounded pushy as if her wishes had been neglected or that she was disappointed. “That’s kind of you to say, Miss Fenway.”
“It comes from my heart,” she said in the sincerest of tones. “You must know already that Wyatt has been like a brother to me for most of my life.”
That was even more forward. Not many young ladies would call a duke by his name in a public setting, though it was clear Miss Fenway was comfortable addressing him so informally. Fredericka didn’t detect a spark of envy, malice, or fakeness in her words or expression. She sensed the young lady truly felt like family.
“There was a time Wyatt visited Grant often,” she continued, carrying the conversation as if they’d been friends for years. “Not as much since he became the duke. More responsibilities, he says, and I’m sure it’s true.” She looked over at Wyatt and smiled with fondness. “Since he gave the grand party for the day of my birth, I was hoping I could impose on you to help guide me through the rest of the Season.”
Fredericka took a step back and shook her head. That was going too far, family or not. “I wouldn’t be a good choice, Miss Fenway. My Season was cut short to mere days, and I have no experience in the workings of themarriage mart. I don’t see how I can help you with something so important.”
Priscilla smiled sweetly and then laughed innocently. “You help me, Duchess, simply by talking to me. But I meant in the ways of recognizing love and romance when it happens. Not in the details of getting from party to party. My aunt is doing that. I know it was love at first sight for you and Wyatt, but most of us are not that fortunate.”
Love at first sight?
Where had Miss Fenway gotten an idea like that? Fredericka’s first meeting with Wyatt was contentious. And their meetings still were at times.
“It takes longer for most people to fall in love and want to make a match. I fear I am one of those.” She paused and sighed wistfully. “There’s Mr. Fergus Altman. He’s quite handsome. I’ve experienced a breathless flutter or two in my chest and butterflies in my stomach when I look at him. But there is also Mr.—”
Miss Fenway kept talking, but Fredericka had stopped listening. She knew about breathless flutters and butterflies. She had never denied a strong connection between her and Wyatt from their first meeting. But it wasn’t love. Was it? No, of course not. Fredericka looked over at Wyatt. Her heart seemed to lift with happiness at the sight of him. He must have sensed her watching him. He smiled and her skin tingled. Was it love she felt for the duke when she had melted so easily and readily into his arms when he kissed her at Paddleton, in his book room, and in the garden?
