Page 41 of The Scarred Duke's Bride
“Not just at the moment. I’m sure she means to look after her sister. Would you leave me alone if I were feeling under the weather?”
“Er, no. I suppose not.”
Eric smiled. “Oh, youwould, wouldn’t you?”
“Nooo!” William denied it and then ran off, laughing loudly and joyfully.
Eric shook his head as he watched his brother run. He reached the stable and skipped inside. Eric frowned, remembering that William was not that proficient on horseback.
Well, no better time to teach him than now.
* * *
Freya got back to her room in time to take another bath and change her clothes. There was a knock on the door as she settled back on her bed.
“Come in.”
Mrs. Campbell poked her head into the room and smiled. “Your sister told me that you’re already getting restless with confinement,” she said as she came in and closed the door. “I thought I’d come and keep you company as we sup.”
“That’s kind of you.”
The other woman gave her an enigmatic look. “I know how it can chafe to feel like a prisoner in your own home.”
Freya let out a loud sigh. “It is just that I am not usually confined to my chambers. I simply avoid the male servants — or maybe they avoid me. Now, I have to stay in here for four days.”
Mrs. Campbell came to sit on the bed and laughed. “If you think this is bad, wait until you are confined in the latter months when you are with child. It feels endless.”
Freya blushed, looking away. Clearly, Mrs. Campbell did not know their situation. “Yes, I suppose so,” she murmured unintelligibly.
Eric’s mother reached out and rubbed her arm. “Cheer up. Tomorrow, your husband has arranged for a picnic in the gardens. He plans to take William riding in the hills, and so we shall have the place to ourselves all afternoon.”
Freya felt tears prick her eyes. “Did he? Th-that’s kind.” For some reason, she burst into tears.
Mrs. Campbell gave her an understanding look, reaching for her and hugging her tight. That just made Freya cry even harder. She relaxed against Mrs. Campbell’s chest, glad to take comfort from someone else. “I’m sorry,” she murmured into her mother-in-law’s shoulder.
“Never apologize for expressing emotion, my girl. And it is quite all right.”
* * *
In the end, the four days of Freya’s confinement passed faster than he’d feared. He supposed that the daily exchange of letters had also helped. He had not been expecting a reply to his first letter, but Freya sent him one on the morning of the second day, thanking him for arranging a picnic for her. From there, it just seemed like the thing to do to send a reply and receive one in return.
He did not let himself think about what they were doing. He told himself that there wasn’t much to do in her chambers all day. If she chose letter writing to pass the time, who was he to stop or discourage her?
Still, he could not help feeling closer to her after being privy to her thoughts and feelings for the past four days.
Silver came up to him at breakfast as he was waiting for the rest of their respective families to join him. He bowed. “Sir, I have arranged for your breakfast to be served in your chambers.”
Eric frowned, leaning back in his chair to regard Silver with a jaundiced eye. “Why?”
The butler cleared his throat, “There is a letter from His Grace that he requires you and Lady Freya to read together. I have already delivered this message to Lady Freya.”
“Why must we be in our chambers to read this letter?"
“Privacy, sir. The Duke would have me emphasize that this is important.”
Eric huffed. “Very well then.” He got to his feet, “But there is only so much of this nonsense I will take. You can tell him that.”
“Yes, sir.” The butler bowed as Eric passed him. Straightening his coat, his heart beginning to race at the thought of seeing Freya again, he climbed the stairs.
