Page 123 of A Suitable Fortune

Emilia brought her hand up to cup his right cheek. “I did not mean to distress you by speaking of your mother. Forgive me.”

“There is nothing to forgive,” Fredrick insisted. “I am just grateful that my father handled her death far better than we all anticipated.”

“He seems lonely, though.”

Fredrick nodded. “That was inevitable. The love that my parents shared was one that just doesn’t go away when one of them passes. I do believe it is forever.”

“I love that thought.”

“It is the love thatweshare,” Fredrick said, his tone carrying a deep resonance. “You took me at my worst and made me a much better man.”

“You were already a good man, but I just had to convince you of that,” Emilia remarked. “I just wish you saw yourself how I saw you.”

“How is that?”

Emilia met his gaze, her eyes filled with sincerity. “My everything.”

Rosie let out a soft cry in her sleep, breaking the spell that had come over them.

Fredrick dropped his arms and took a step back. “We should leave so we don’t wake Rosie with our incessant declarations of love,” he said, a playful lightness in his words.

Quietly exiting the nursery, Emilia acknowledged the nursemaid stationed just outside the door with a subtle nod.

As they walked hand in hand down the corridor, Fredrick asked, “Would you care to go riding tomorrow?”

Emilia made a face. “I would prefer a carriage ride.”

Fredrick chuckled. “I have never met someone that had such an aversion to riding a horse.”

“I do not mind riding a horse, but I do not like side saddles,” Emilia admitted. “I prefer the freedom of riding astride at our country estate.”

“That is rather scandalous of you, my dear,” Fredrick joked.

“I did warn you that I would make a terrible countess.”

Fredrick grinned. “You did, but you are selling yourself short,” he said. “Thetonadores you, and your latest ball was a rousing success.”

“I only planned the ball so I could dance the waltz with you,” Emilia remarked.

“I will dance with you whenever, wherever,” Fredrick said.

Emilia glanced over at him. “You promise?”

“I will gladly take every opportunity to hold you in my arms.” He came to a stop at the top of the stairs. “Let us dance.”

“Now?” Emilia asked in disbelief. “Here?”

Fredrick pulled her close to him and placed a hand on her waist. “I think this is the perfect place to dance.”

“What about our guests?”

He leaned closer and whispered, “Let them wait.” Their shared laughter echoed through the hall as they surrendered to the impromptu dance, relishing the joy of being wrapped up in each other’s embrace.

The End