Page 45 of The Duke and the Unwanted Bride

Frederick blinked, snapping himself back into the moment. “Ah… No—no. I don’t?—”

“Daddy, you should! Please!” Amelia giggled. “If you do, I will.”

Frederick’s eyes widened as he realized the trap Hannah had set. “I really don’t?—”

“Oh, come now!” Hannah splashed water at him, enough that it reached where he and Amelia stood, hitting them without soaking them. “It’s lovely in!”

“Yes!” Amelia cried. “Daddy! Can I? Can I?”

Frederick knew he had no choice. But more than that, he didn’t care. This marriage had been about finding a woman who could help him raise his daughter, a woman who Amelia might come to like, given time. And seeing that happen before his eyes… it was more than he could have hoped for.

What was more, his desire not to touch Hannah, the reason for it, was now seeming less and less relevant. Tonight, he had no doubt that she would try and seduce him again, and while he wondered if he would be able to hold himself back like he had previously, he now questioned if he cared.

“Fine,” Frederick sighed, making sure to act as if it was the last thing he wished for as he began to unbutton his shirt. “But when we are all cold and wet later, do not say I didn’t warn you.”

“Yay!” Amelia cried.

Frederick’s shirt came undone, and he made sure to look at Hannah when it did. Her eyes widened with delight. Then she looked up at him, and he met her gaze. They shared a grin. Memories from last night and the implication of what this really was. And then Frederick took off his shirt, dropping it to the ground.

“There he is!” Hannah laughed.

Frederick took off his boots next, kicking them away before wading into the pond. The water was indeed cold, but he did not care. He laughed as he stepped into it, wading forward until it came up to his knees. Hannah splashed him playfully, and he widened his eyes at her in warning, only to splash her back.

“My turn!” Amelia squealed and charged into the pond fully clothed.

“Amelia!” Frederick shouted as she tripped and fell face-first into the water.

A collective gasped rang out, but then her head emerged from the water, and they erupted in laughter and cries of delight.

“I told you!” Hannah cheered. “Nothing to be afraid of.”

She waded through the water until she was standing beside Frederick. Her hand moved toward his, and she looked at him, raising both her eyebrows in question.

Frederick paused for a moment, rolled his eyes, and then took her hand. It was warm compared to the water, soft and somehow cozy. He held it tight, feeling a pulse shoot up his arm at her touch. In that way, he was glad that his daughter was here, for she kept his desires in check. But in another way…

It was a shame that his daughter was here, for with Hannah now drenched from head to toe, her pelisse clinging to her curves, her breasts heaving beneath, it was all he could do to only hold her hand.

Today was special, Frederick realized. And he relished it for what it was. But tonight, he did not know what would happen. He did not even know what he wanted. But deep down, even he had to admit that he was excited to find out.

This woman had unmasked him, and from the way she looked at him, he knew that it was only the beginning.

Chapter Thirteen

Hannah was just leaving her room when one of the estate’s many butlers, Mr. Farrow, rushed to meet her. Having just bathed but still feeling a slight chill, she walked with a blanket draped over her shoulders, her hair drying and her skin glowing. Her hope was to see Frederick and pick up where they had left off earlier, but one look at Mr. Farrow told her this was not happening.

“Your Grace!” he called to her.

“Ah, Farrow.” She smiled pleasantly. “What has you in such a rush?”

“There is a visitor, Your Grace,” he said. “They have arrived just now.”

“Oh…”

Hannah bit her lip as she glanced down the hallway in the direction of Amelia’s room. She knew Frederick was in there now with his daughter, reading to her before putting her to bed, as it had been a very big day for the little girl. So big that the sun was only just now setting, yet Frederick had been forced to carry her home, as she could hardly keep her eyes open.

“Well, I believe that His Grace is with Amelia at the moment, but I am sure he will be available soon.”

“The visitor is not for His Grace,” Mr. Farrow clarified. “But for you, Your Grace.”

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