Page 30 of Lady Frederica and the Scot Who Would Not
“Yes, well, what did Beckford expect might happen if he declared in front of thetonthat Frederica belonged to him?”
Asher chuckled. “I don’t suspect he thought much past ensuring Brooke understood yer sister was under his protection. He’s honorable, ye know this. Try not to worry. It will work out.”
“I certainly hope so,” Guinevere replied, worried still. “Apparently Vivian has turned down Lord Asterly’s offer of marriage because Lord Asterly’s family would cut him off if they wed.”
“The plot thickens,” Asher said, his mouth at her ear.
A chuckle washed his warm breath over the delicate skin of her earlobe. She shivered with desire, but then she said, “Do stop making light of things. I know Freddy. If Beckford won’t offer for her, she’ll do something foolish to right the mess she’s made.”
“Such as?”
“Such as going to see Lord Brooke and offering herself in marriage to the man.”
“He’d take that offer,” Asher said, disgust in his voice. “The man’s in deep debt.”
Guinevere moaned. “It’s worse than I thought.”
“What’s worse than you thought?” came Guinevere’s mother’s voice from behind her.
Guinevere nearly jumped out of her slippers in surprise. She quickly disentangled herself from Asher’s embrace and faced her mother. “The weather,” Guinevere said, wincing at the lame explanation.
But her mother thankfully looked distracted and said, “Ah, I see. Where is Frederica? Did she take the news terribly that Mr. Beckford refused to wed her?”
“I left her in the garden,” Guinevere replied, carefully avoiding the question about how her sister took the news, since she’d not told her as Guinevere had said she would when her mother had found her and Asher eavesdropping.
Her mother narrowed her eyes. “You are up to something, Guinevere.”
“Me? No, Mama, I—”
“Why did you say that you came to the house at this hour?” her mother demanded.
“To ensure Frederica knew I’d forgiven her for causing such drama at my ball.”
“Hmm.” The single sound was full of disbelief. “I find it strange that you came here, after supper, to tell your sister that—and that you brought your husband with you.”
“She hates to be parted from me,” Asher replied. Guinevere knew he was trying to be helpful, but his jovial tone made them appear more suspicious.
“Hmm,” her mother said again. “I don’t believe you, Carrington. You sound entirely too cheerful for a man who was dragged away from his comfortable home to visit his in-laws.”
“Mama—”
“Never mind,” her mother said. “I’m going to speak with Frederica directly.”
“Mama, wait.” Guinevere made a grasp for her mother’s arm, but her mother was surprisingly quick. She pulled her arm back and glanced between Guinevere and Asher.
“What is occurring here?” She sent a pointed look at Guinevere.
“Nothing,” Guinevere said, desperate to keep her mother here so that Frederica and Beckford could have a few more minutes alone. The plan, which wasn’t very elaborate at all, given the short notice, had been to come here, and if Beckford had declined his duty to wed Frederica, Asher had thought time alone might push him toward changing his mind, especially if he desired Frederica as much as Blythe seemed to think. Yes, it was improper for them to be alone, but what was propriety in the face of scandal?
“I say,” Guinevere’s father suddenly boomed, coming into the solar, “the footman just informed me that Mr. Beckford hasn’t left yet. His carriage is apparently still here. I sent the man to the garden to tell Frederica he’d not wed her, and—”
Guinevere’s mother let out a shriek. Then she gave Guinevere an accusing look and dashed out of the solar toward the garden door.
Chapter Twelve
Sitting would be the height of idiocy, so naturally, Gabe sat and nearly laughed at himself when he did so. His leg brushed hers, and yearning swished through his veins and made his fingers curl reflexively, aching to touch her.
She turned to him, her face almost completely in shadow except for a flash of white teeth as she bit her lip. He could just see the self-conscious gesture in the filtered moonlight. “I’ve gone and ruined my sister’s life, and I cannot allow that.”
