Page 43 of Married to the Forbidden Duke
“You look at home up there,” Frederick smiled, his hands now tucked behind his back. “Would you like to go riding in Hyde Park?”
“With you, you mean?”
He shrugged. “If you’d like. But so long as you take a servant, I have no objection to you going out alone.”
“Oh.” That was unexpectedly generous of him. “Thank you. Again.”
“It’s nothing.”
It wasmorethan nothing—a part of her freedom back. Something she had dreamed of since the accident, but had never believed could happen. Her aunt and uncle had never considered it might be possible, and certainly never given it any real thought. In their opinion, young ladies should not have the freedom she had regardless. Her cousin certainly didn’t, and so giving her access to that sort of freedom had never been a priority.
She slowed the horse, coming to a stop beside Frederick and looking down into his face. She’d already repaid him for the gift, a kiss that still sank into her bones, but she felt as though he needed to understand what this meant to her.
“You should know,” she said stiffly, “that you are the first person to consider my wishes in all of this. My aunt and uncle considered it… unnecessary.”
His brows rose. “For you to ride?”
“For provisions to be made for such an event, given my… situation.”
“I see.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he looked at her steadily. “You always deserved that, Alice. Whatever they thought of your version of freedom.”
She nodded, and unable to hold his gaze any longer, urged Fortuna into another loop of the courtyard.
“We’ve been invited to a soiree next week,” he spoke after her. “I thought I might accompany you there.”
She could think of no reason to refuse aside from pettiness, and while any other day she would resort to pettiness, today did not feel like the best moment for it.
“Very well,” she said over her shoulder. “If you wish.”
His teeth flashed as he smiled. “I do wish.”
The first time Alice went for a ride in Hyde Park, it was the day after she had received Fortuna, and she felt confident in her ability to control the animal.
There had been nothing greater in her mind than the feel of the wind in her hair and the knowledge that she could go wherever she wished. Frederick had also commissioned a new riding habit for her, so she wasn’t forced to go out in something five years out of fashion. And she rather fancied the finely spun green wood that complemented her complexion rather nicely.
She didn’t ask Frederick to go with her, and when he saw her call for the horse to be brought around, he made no comment except to ask if she would like his help getting into the saddle. It said a lot for the state of her pride that she agreed to this; she preferred his hands on her than those of a servant, although she would prefer to mount without help. Before, she was able to do it with the step, but she didn’t trust her strength, even if she thought it was improving.
He looked up at her, an oddly serious expression on his face. “Stay safe,” he said, and stepped back, letting her ride out.
The next time she ventured out—thenextday—she invited Helena to join her. When she’d first met the girl, she’d assumed it was some kind of ploy to persuade her to forgive Frederick, but now she understood better.
It was not what Helena could do for Frederick but whatshecould do for Helena.
“Thank you so much for inviting me,” the other girl murmured, flushing a little as they entered Hyde Park and reached Rotten Row. “My brother is very kind, but he doesn’t think about these things, and I could never go alone.”
By alone, Alice knew she meant with a maid. She studied the young girl’s face, the shy way she averted her gaze from everyone who might be passing.
Shyness was not a trait Alice had ever been afflicted with, but she could understand how that might make things especially challenging for one attempting to navigate London Society.
“Well, I wanted company that wasn’t my husband tagging along,” she said, smiling at Helena. “And as we met the other night, I thought I wouldn’t be overstepping.”
“Not at all,” Helena assured her. “It is nice to be outside.”
“Do you spend much time in the country?”
“Not often. After our father died, my brother decided to spend most of his time in London, and it’s easiest for me to do so, too.”
“What about your mother?” Alice asked.
