Page 20 of The Virgin Duchess

“Charlotte,” she perked up, glancing at him with her brows raised, “I believe it is time for us to be going. But I will be sure to have my physician come over as quickly as possible.”

Swallowing, his wife regarded him but then stood up from the table, embracing each Cordelia and Kitty in turn. Frederick allowed Cordelia to show them out, and he helped Charlotte into the carriage.

This shall be a fascinating return journey home.

Chapter Nine

What the hell does this mean? Is Frederick going to say something about…

If anyone were to learn about Cordelia and Kitty, it would be detrimental for her family, utterly catastrophic if the ton were to spread it about their insufferable gossip-obsessed populace. Worse still, her brother would never forgive her. It would be the final nail in the coffin of their relationship.

How could he do this? Follow me…when he explicitly said he would leave me to my business.

The carriage still remained in silence, neither she nor Frederick willing to break it—at least for a time. When they were about halfway through their ride, Charlotte’s inner thoughts boiled over, leaking their fury all over the interior of the carriage.

“You cannot tell anyone about them.”

Charlotte still stared forward, not so much as glancing at her husband, who sat next to her. She heard him adjust in his seat; however, she felt him looking at her, his stare hot on her flesh.

“I had not intended to.” She fought the urge to scoff. “And I shall not tell a soul.”

The remained of their journey was as quiet as the beginning. Beyond Frederick’s guarantee to keep his mouth shut—which Charlotte could hardly believe at face value—neither of them so much as breathed loudly.

When they at last arrived at the estate, Charlotte exited the carriage as quickly as possible, going to her room for a bit of privacy. It was getting later in the evening as well, and while hunger gnawed at her, Charlotte was exceedingly all right with going to bed on an empty stomach. Still, she was inside her room no longer than a few seconds before Frederick stepped inside right on her heels.

“What are you doing?” She glared at him, still somehow shocked at the man’s behavior.

“It is our second night together, Charlotte.” Frederick raised his brows, offering a smug smile that made her anger pound all the more. “You have agreed.”

Her mouth dropped open. As the furrow in her brow grew, the shock turned to downright fury. Charlotte slashed a hand through the air as she stamped her foot.

“You cannot be serious. After everything with Cordelia, you expect me to just flip a switch and entertain you? It is well past the reasonable hour, Frederick.”

He smirked at her, disbelief coloring his expression. “I am quite certain that you have stayed up far later than this while with your friends, Charlotte.”

“That is beside the point!” She called back.

Soon enough, Charlotte was stepping closer, jabbing a finger through the air like it might actually do anything to send her words into the man’s thick skull.

“We had no agreement on a set date. Just allow me to reschedule our ‘second evening.’ I am tired. Dealing with the stress of Cordelia’s letter had fatigued me horrendously.”

Frederick sighed, dropping his stare to the floor as he pinched his brow. “I do not understand the secrecy. I would never do anything to jeopardize your family or safety. I am your husband. I have given my word to protect you, and I would certainly understand the need for discretion if you’d have just told me where you were going.”

“It was none of your business.” Charlotte folded her arms across her chest, sneering at him. “And it is hardly like you have been honest with me either. Where were you going today? What is your quarrel with the Baron?”

Frederick’s jaw tightened, the muscles visibly pulling tight as he sucked in a sharp breath.

“As I thought. You dare to question my desire for secrecy when you are keeping your own truths entirely to yourself.”

The air was thick, and Charlotte pulled backward. Her lips rolled between her teeth, and she worked her own jaw muscles into knots. Her tongue had gotten carried away again, but she wouldn’t regret her words.

Still, would this spat be enough to end their arrangement? She needed Frederick to remain quiet about what he knew, and angering him hardly seemed like a wise move to ensure his compliance.

“You are right.” Charlotte hastily looked up at him. “I have my own secrets. So, I cannot fault you yours. Still, I wish that you might think a bit better of me. It is not in my mind to go about town spreading the latest on dit like jam.”

Squinting, Charlotte pegged Frederick with a stare. “Oh? And yet, I have heard quite the rumor that has your name attached to it as a reliable source of information…even a participant. Can you deny that you have been so flagrant with the rules of polite society?”

He surged forward but only a step or two. “And do you place so much faith and importance upon the unworthy shoulders of those responsible for the latest scandal sheets? Was it not a friend of yours that was recently made out in one of them?”

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