Page 47 of The Scarred Duke's Bride
“Good, now hurry up and go and bathe while I shave my stubble.”
To her credit, Freya hurried to obey. With a nod of his own, Eric went to get his shaving kit.
ChapterNineteen
Both William and Isabella were annoyed at them for missing dinner. “We never see you anymore,” Isabella complained.
“I’m sorry darling. I shall try to do better. Last night was a bit of a surprise to us as well. I had every intention of coming down to eat with you all,” Freya tried to soothe her.
“A-are you feeling better now?” William asked tentatively.
Freya smiled at his gentle concern. “Yes, thank you. It’s very kind of you to care.”
“Isabella was very worried for you,” William said.
“Good morning! Lovely to see you all here.” Mrs. Campbell breezed into the room, smiling at everyone. Both William and Eric got to their feet to greet her.
She sat down, and they followed suit. She smiled at Eric and Freya who were sitting side by side. “And how was your reunion? You both look a little worse for wear.”
“Why thank you, Mother,” Eric said wryly.
She waved a dismissive hand, “You know what I mean.”
“Yes. We did have rather a lot to drink last night.” He smiled Freya’s way, and she did her best to answer it. She could see Silver from the corner of her eye, watching them.
“Oh, well, you should have some coffee this morning. I remember Alexander —” She stopped smiling, abruptly cutting herself off.
Eric reached out and squeezed her hand. “I remember. He used to swear by it.” He smiled affectionately, his eyes soft, and then cleared his throat and turned to Freya. “Shall I pour you a cup?”
“Y-yes thank you.” She’d been so busy observing him that she was startled when he spoke to her. He reached for the kettle, but Silver was there first.
“Allow me, sir,” he murmured before pouring them both a cup.
Freya took a sip but did not immediately feel better. She did feel parched and so continued to drink the coffee. Just as she was beginning to appreciate the warmth spreading in her belly and the slightly improved clarity of mind she was feeling, Mr. Green, Eric’s steward, came hurrying into the room.
He bent over Eric’s chair and whispered frantically in his ear. Eric got to his feet, his face blank. “Forgive me everyone, but I beg to be excused. An urgent matter needs to be dealt with right away.”
Freya got half out of her chair. “Can I help?”
“No!” His voice was sharp, and he startled her into falling back into her chair. “It’s fine. I can handle it.” He strode away, his steward following close behind.
Freya watched them both, a frown marring her brow. Whatever had happened seemed to be of a rather urgent nature. She wanted to know what it was and whether it involved their arrangement.
Finishing her coffee as fast as possible, she got to her feet and walked out, determined to find Eric and demand he tell her what was going on.
Silver intercepted her. “Lady Freya, Mrs. Beecham asked for an audience with you to regarding the repairs that Mr. Campbell ordered. She is waiting for you in the music room.”
Freya huffed with annoyance but changed direction anyway to go and talk with her governess. She found both the governess and housekeeper waiting for her. “There you are, my lady,” Mrs. Beecham said. “Now, when you were in confinement, Mr. Campbell ordered that some repairs and modifications be done. Something about a piping system. I did not understand it.”
Freya smiled. She knew exactly what Eric had been alluding to. “I’m afraid that for that one, we may have to get an outside builder. It isn’t something we can do ourselves.”
“Oh…” Mrs. Beecham seemed perturbed. “And who would pay for it?” she whispered.
“I think if Mr. Campbell ordered it, he knows the answer to that. Is there anything else? I would like to —” She pointed out the door just before Mrs. Beecham interrupted her.
“Oh no, no. There’s plenty more we need to discuss. Mr. Campbell had spoken of the drawing room. Some of the furniture in there is threadbare as you know, and he wanted everything revamped according to your specifications.”
“He did?”
