Page 46 of Lady Frederica and the Scot Who Would Not
“I need to show Gabriel that I can survive in your world before he sends me back to Mayfair, and the best way I know to do that is to catch Hawk, and to do that, I need your assistance.”
“And why should I help you do that?” Blythe asked, sitting down on the settee, kicking her legs out in front of her, and folding her hands across her stomach.
Freddy took it as a very good sign that Blythe had not immediately denied Freddy’s request. “You know as well as I do that the best way to catch Hawk is to use me as bait, which your brother has refused to do.”
“What did Gabe tell you exactly?” Blythe asked, leaning forward and setting her elbows on her knees.
Freddy took the seat opposite Blythe and quickly recapped what Gabriel had told her. When she was done, Blythe said, “Is that all?”
Freddy frowned. “Is there more?”
Blythe nodded. “Georgette was with child when Hawk killed her.”
The news rendered Freddy speechless.
“She had gone to the warehouse that night because Gabe was supposed to have retrieved the cradle, and he hadn’t done it yet, and she couldn’t sleep because of it. The cradle was being stored at the warehouse.”
“Good God,” Freddy whispered. “No wonder Gabriel blames himself.”
“Yes,” Blythe agreed, “though it’s not his fault.” She paused. “I actually suggested to Gabe that he use you as bait…”
Freddy arched her brows as she stared at Blythe. “I don’t know whether I should be offended or complimented.”
Blythe chuckled. “Complimented, Freddy. I’d have never suggested he use you if I didn’t think you possessed the necessary mettle for such a thing, but he refused the suggestion flatly. He cares for you, you know.”
A jolt went through Freddy’s body at hearing Blythe voice what Freddy had only hoped. Blythe smiled. “I see you aren’t certain, but that the thought pleases you, andthatpleases me. I want to see Gabe happy again, and I think you can make him happy. But what do you want? If it’s still just to live in Covent Garden and have your freedom, well, that’s not enough of a reason for me to risk my brother’s rage, which will be great when he discovers I’ve helped you catch Hawk.”
“I’m pleased to hear you think we can catch Hawk,” Freddy said, her thoughts whirring in her head at Blythe’s question. What did she want, truly? It was time to solidly answer that for herself.
“Of course we can, now that he’s resurfaced. We’re smart, resourceful women, and he’ll underestimate us as most men do. But you didn’t answer my question, Freddy. What do you want?”
Freddy swallowed. “I want Gabriel to lower his guard.”
“Seems a wise thing to want since you’re married to him. But why? Why do you want him to lower his guard?”
“I think,” Freddy said, her pulse seeming to tick up. “I think I might have gone and developed a slight affection for your brother.”
Blythe snorted. “I think it’s more than a slight affection, Freddy. I think you love him.”
Freddy opened her mouth to deny it, to say that she hardly knew him and that it would take time to fall in love with her husband. But a feeling so intense swept through her that she promptly shut her mouth and simply sat gaping at Blythe.
Blythe rose, came around the table, and sat by Freddy, taking her hand and patting it. “Poor Freddy. You love him, and you just realized it.”
Did she? Her thoughts spun. Her heart squeezed. Perspiration gathered at her neck, her breasts, her forehead. She couldn’t properly breathe. She felt her entire future happiness depended on convincing Gabriel that he could let her into his life, let down his guard, and together they could build the life she’d been imagining in Covent Garden. The one where she was accepted for who she was and loved for it. The one where she had freedom, but that freedom now included a husband by her side who did not expect her to be a proper lady of theton. How had she fallen in love with him when she hardly knew him? When had she? It hardly even mattered. It didn’t change the fact that she was in love with him. She alternately wanted to cry and laugh at once. She never imagined she’d find love. Not truly, and she hadn’t found love. It had found her.
“I love him,” Freddy whispered as she stared at Blythe. “I love him, and he loves a ghost.” She bit down hard on her lip.
Blythe sighed and patted Freddy’s hand. “I think he just needs a little push to return to the world of the living. And from what I’ve seen of his reaction to you, you’re the perfect person to do it.”
Freddy laughed and swiped at the tears suddenly rolling down her cheeks. “I hope so. We are wed, after all.”
“So shall we get to planning? I can tell you Gabe is already doing so. He was having a meeting at the club with Carrington, Kilgore, and Greybourne when I left. I think he must be procuring their aid.”
“But you don’t think they will help him, do you?”
“Maybe eventually,” Blythe answered. “But I know we can do it quicker, and the quicker, the better. Hawk swore to take you from Gabe, but the longer he’s denied his revenge, the more reckless he’ll become. I worry that he or one of his cronies will try to kill Gabe.”
“Yes, I’m very worried for Gabriel, too,” Freddy said.
