Page 32 of The Duke and the Unwanted Bride

“Wow!” Frederick took the brunt of the impact, effortlessly lifting the little girl into the air and then spinning her around. “There she is! My little angel!”

“What took you so long!” The little girl, Amelia, pouted. “You said you would be home by noon!”

“I said I would try to be,” he explained as he put her down. “It is not the same thing.”

Amelia pursed her lips, seeming none too pleased by his explanation. “Miss Temperton said I need to be patient.” She kicked at the floor.

“She is a smart woman…” Frederick looked at the maid, Miss Temperton, and gave her a grateful smile. “And I hope that you have been listening to her.”

“I have been…” Amelia gave a wicked smile. “Sometimes.”

Through all of this, Hannah stood back somewhat awkwardly. Shock was what she was feeling. Immense surprise because not once had anybody bothered to mention to her that Frederick had a daughter! Oh, she knew that he had been married once before—he had told her as much. But a daughter? That changed everything.

The little girl looked about six years old, with the same coloring as her father, and with similar facial features too. Hannah had little experience with children, and she suddenly felt veryuncomfortable at the thought of having to live with a man who wanted nothing to do with her, and his daughter, who was likely going to despise her on principle.

“Amelia…” Frederick took his daughter by the hand and led her to Hannah. “I would like you to meet someone. This is Hannah, my new wife and your new mother.”

Hannah tried to look excited. “Hello there…” She bent down so she was at eye level with the little girl. “It is wonderful to finally meet you. Your, ah… your father has told me so much about you.”

She glanced at Frederick and glared at him.

He grimaced. “She is eager to meet you, Amelia. And what do you say…?”

Amelia was looking at her feet, pouting, behaving in the exact same way Hannah had expected.

“Amelia,” Frederick prompted. “We spoke about this.”

“I do not want a new mother,” Amelia said.

Again, Frederick grimaced. “Amelia, what did we talk about?—”

“I do not care!” She pulled her hand free, turned around, and then sprinted to Miss Temperton. She threw her arms aroundthe woman’s waist and shoved her face into her stomach as if to hide.

“I am sorry, Your Grace.” Miss Temperton winced. “I tried to prepare her better, and she promised that she would behave, but?—”

“It is fine,” Frederick sighed. “Perhaps you might take her outside for a short walk? Give my new wife and I a moment to talk?”

“Of course,” Miss Temperton agreed. “Come on, Amelia.”

She shuffled out of the foyer with the little girl, who still clung to her without so much as looking in Hannah’s direction.

It was only once they were gone that Hannah spoke.

“So… you have a daughter.”

“I do.” Frederick nodded. “Usually, she is far more friendly than what you just saw. But she will come around, once she gets used to you.”

“It would have been nice if you mentioned something earlier,” Hannah said pleasantly, making sure he could see how annoyed she was. “But I suppose that would have required you to speak with me.”

The corner of Frederick’s mouth twitched, and she could literally see him doing everything in his power not to give a scathing response.

“You should know that Amelia is my world,” he spoke slowly and carefully. “Everything I do is for her, and I expect the two of you to get along. Is that understood?”

“Are you implying I might mistreat a six-year-old?”

“I am simply pointing out that this right here—” He gestured to her with a wave of his hand. “You enjoy antagonizing me. I know you do.”

“Not nearly as much as you enjoy shutting me down,” she shot back.

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