Page 43 of The Duke and the Unwanted Bride

“I told you, Amelia, you are far too young for that,” Frederick explained.

“Nonsense,” Hannah spoke up. “I was about your age when I first learned to swim. That is unless…” She frowned at him. “Frederick, you do know how to swim, do you not?”

He looked at her flatly. “Do not be ridiculous.”

“What do you think, Amelia? Is your father lying?”

Amelia giggled. “Maybe.”

“I think he is.” Hannah winked at her.

“Careful, you two,” Frederick warned jokingly. “There will be no ganging up on me. Understand?”

“Girls versus boys,” Hannah said. “What do you think, Amelia?”

“Yes.” Amelia giggled excitedly. “Girls versus boys.”

Frederick caught Hannah’s eyes again, and they shared a relieved smile. He had been telling the truth all those weeks ago when he had told Hannah that he wished for them to be friendly, and this here was a perfect start. Even if that word ‘friendly’ didn’t feel adequate anymore.

But Frederick also remembered that Hannah had promised to be on her best behavior when Amelia was around, so for today, at least, he did not have to worry about her doing anything untoward, like trying to seduce him again. A relief… if not for the other worry that lingered deep within.

She might not try and seduce him overtly, but just to be in her presence, to see her and be reminded of last night and what it had done to him, might mean that she didn’t have to do anything. Frederick was the one who would need to control himself today, a task that once seemed infinitely possible only to now feel the very opposite of that.

Honestly, what was happening to him?

“I don’t think I can…”

Amelia looked nervous—damn terrified, in fact. She stood by the edge of the pond, staring at the water as if it were a monster from her nightmares.

“Oh, nonsense,” Hannah said cheerfully. “The water isn’t that deep. It will barely come up to your waist.”

“But… what if I can’t?”

“Then your father will happily dive in and save you. Won’t you, Frederick?” Hannah turned around and raised an eyebrow at her husband. “Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing him go in.”

“If you are not feeling up to it, Amelia, there is no pressure whatsoever,” Frederick assured. “In fact, I would prefer it if you didn’t.”

“Oh, we all know that,” Hannah said dismissively, before turning back to Amelia. “But he is right. You do not have to do anything you do not want to.”

“I…”

“Just the fact that you considered it is a huge step forward,” Hannah continued. “Honestly, most girls your age wouldn’t be nearly that brave.”

“I… I want to,” Amelia forced herself to say, her body shaking now. “I do. It is just…” She half-stepped forward, her feet on the edge of the pond. “It is scary.”

“There is no need for it to be.”

“And wet.”

“Yes.” Hannah chuckled. “That is the idea.”

“Amelia…” Frederick rested a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Perhaps this was a bad idea? As Hannah said, just the fact that you considered doing it is enough. More than enough, truthfully.”

Amelia looked undecided. On the one hand, he could see the stubborn determination in her eyes, that willfulness to not back down because she was so very much like him. But on the other hand, she was only six years old, and this was a rather big ask for anyone her age.

Truthfully, Frederick had not even thought things would go this far. What he had expected from today was pleasant conversations, a little bit of exploring, and a chance for Hannah and Amelia to get to know one another a little better. Not to mention a chance for him to spend time with Hannah in a friendly, platonic manner.

And it had started that way, too. Once they had broken their fast, the three of them took two horses from the stables and crossed the tracks of land that surrounded the estate, where a small forest sat on the edges. There, they tied the horses to a tree and began their trek through the wilderness.

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