Page 9 of Yours Truly, the Duke
His expression looked more suspicious than persuaded with her answer.
Really, she thought vengefully, it would probably be best if they were frolicking with abandon and screaming to the high heavens as they were only minutes ago. That would send the insolent, commanding man on his way in a hurry. Perhaps she’d give them liberty to do so. That way she could see how fast he could run.
However, self-important as the duke thought he was, he might merely be upset they hadn’t stood and given him proper courtesy when he entered the room. Fine. Maybe then she could find out why he was there. If he wanted a bow and two curtseys, she’d indulge his whim. She quickly turned to the children and made a motion with her hand for them to stand, which they obeyed.
“Your Grace, may I present the Misses Elise and Bella Baldwin and their brother, Master Charles.”
He nodded to them and, after giving the duke the recognition his title deserved, they quietly hopped back onto their chairs with hardly a rustle of sound. That showed him. They had been exemplary and flawless. She wanted to rush over and give them hugs. Her sister would have been proud of them. And of Fredericka for teaching them so well.
Satisfied, she turned to the duke and smiled quite splendidly. “Now, I believe it’s time you told me why you’re here.”
He looked at her as if wondering why she asked him that question. “I’m here concerning the letter I had delivered to you.”
Letter?
Instantly thinking it might have something to do with the children, since he had just mentioned them, Fredericka visibly tensed. “I’m sorry, Your Grace. I don’t recall receiving correspondence from you.”
He lifted his brows in doubt. “My courier didn’t arrive with it earlier today?”
“Today?” She glanced at the clock on the secretary. In another couple of minutes Mr. Maywaring would be late. That worried her. Best she hurry the duke along. She didn’t need a discussion going on about the children when Mr. Maywaring arrived. That would be disastrous no matter the duke’s reason for being there.
“Oh,” she said as politely as she could muster. “It’s quite possible it came while we were out for a walk. If so, it was placed on my desk. I don’t usually look through my mail until evenings after the children have gone to bed.”
The duke lifted his chin a notch without taking his gaze off hers and scoffed ruefully. She didn’t know what that sound was for, but he certainly wasn’t happy to hear her answer. That was all right with her. She wasn’t happy he was lingering.
She had things to do and getting rid of him was at the top of her list.
He relaxed his arms and stepped closer to Fredericka as another breath of sound passed his lips. There was something unsettling about the intensity of his expression. It gave the feeling he was trying to see inside her and know her thoughts, which made her more determined to stay in control of the situation.
“Why did you do that?” she asked, beginning to feel more unease at his seeming reluctance to leave.
“What?”
“You made a sound as if you were filled with disbelief.”
For a moment, his eyes seemed clouded with confusion as he continued to take in every detail of her face. “More on the order of frustration.”
She was feeling that as well.
“It had to do with the letter you haven’t opened. A lot of…” He paused briefly and then offered a smile so devilishly sweet she sensed a warm fluttering swirling in her lower stomach. “A lot of thought and time went into it. Now I find you haven’t even read it.”
Wanting to fortify her position and get on with this, she asked, “Should I go get it?”
A short, attractive laugh tumbled from his throat and caused a shiver of excitement to race up her spine.
“It’s not important now that I’m here.”
“Good,” she said, as if to let him know that settled the matter.
For all his bluster about the children earlier, there was a rakish hint of mystery surrounding him that drew her and made her want to know more about him. But she was intelligent enough to know that wasn’t a good idea. She needed to spend her time, womanly interests, and charms on men who were matrimonial candidates.
The duke made no comment or movement to indicate he was about to leave. She looked at the clock again. Perhaps he was waiting on her to make the first move.
“Well, in that case, Your Grace, may I show you to the door?”
Fredericka moved to pass the duke, but with more speed than she would have thought possible he appearedin front of her, blocking the way. Her heart thumped with trepidation at his lightning-fast reaction, yet somehow she managed not to flinch. Her chest heaved, but not from fear. Taking care of the children had taught her not to give in to any type of panic. She must always be strong and courageous for them no matter what was happening.
The duke leaned in so close she felt as if his forehead was going to touch hers. She caught the enticing, familiar scents of fine woolen fabric, iron-pressed linen, and woodsy shaving soap. A shiver of anticipation peppered her skin.
