Page 15 of The Duke's Spinster Bride
“I shall send a carriage for you in the morning. It will take us a few hours to get there, but we should be able to return to London before nightfall.” Frederick glanced around. “Now, where is your carriage? I am getting tired of holding these books.”
“Surely a strong man like you can handle the weight of such things.” She arched an eyebrow at him.
He laughed. “Careful, Lady Andrea, it almost sounded as though you were flirting with me.”
Her face flushed. “I do not flirt.”
“Are you sure?” he canted his head towards her.
“Quite.” She shook her head. “Besides, everyone knows; it is poor form to flirt with one’s husband.”
And without saying another word, she turned and walked away, calling over her shoulder. “Keep the books. They will end up in your library after we are married anyway.”
Frederick watched her go, glancing at the books in his arms. “What on Earth have I gotten myself into?”
ChapterFive
“Are you sure you would not like to hold him, dearest Andrea? He is your godson after all.” Charlotte, Duchess of Verimore and one of Andrea’s closest friends, smiled encouragingly at her.
Andrea swallowed, looking at the sleeping baby in her friend’s arms. She had decided to visit the Verimores after her encounter with the Duke. Charlotte was one of the few people she trusted to share the truth of her situation.
She had not expected to be asked to hold an infant, and glanced at her hands. How was one supposed to hold a baby? What if she dropped him. Her father’s voice rang out in her head, scolding her for clumsiness and she shook her head.
“Perhaps another day.” Andrea smiled, hoping her friend would not take offence.
“Very well.” Charlotte beamed at her son and then turned her attention on Andrea. “You wanted my advice?”
“Yes.” Andrea sipped on her tea, and glanced around to ensure there were no servants nearby. “You and the Duke, how did you agree upon the terms of your engagement?”
Charlotte’s eyes widened and she nodded. “Well, as you know, it was simply supposed to help him gain entrance to the games. It was a lie that I told my stepmother to save my sister, and he happened to capitalise on it.”
“Yes, I know. I mean, what steps did you take to ensure it remained like that?” Andrea leaned forward, procuring a paper and pen from a nearby table.
She dipped the tip of her pen in ink, leaving it poised above the paper. She caught Charlotte watching her with an amused expression on her face.
“Are you sure you wish to know? After all, it is not like we were wildly successful.” She laughed softly and nodded towards her sleeping son.
“That is exactly why I must know. If I understand what you did, then I know what to avoid. My marriage will remain a union on paper alone.” She gestured for Charlotte to continue speaking.
“You make it sound as though you are avoiding a fate worse than death.” Charlotte canted her head towards her, the corners of her lips quirked upwards.
“I do not mean to cause offence. I just… Duke Caverton is not like your husband. And I am not like you.” Andrea shrugged, feeling colour rush to her cheeks. “I want whatever is between us to remain strictly platonic.”
“From what I have heard, you have already been rather un-platonic in your actions.” She grinned mischievously.
“That was necessary. Without an appropriate scandal my father would never have agreed to the match. It was… It meant nothing.” Andrea bit her lips, realised what she was doing, and hastily stopped.
Charlotte arched an eyebrow at her. “If you say so.”
“I do.” She stabbed at the paper with her pen and caught sight of a half smile on Charlotte’s lips. “Do not look at me like that.”
“Like what?” Charlotte’s face was the picture of innocence.
“Like you do not believe me.”
“I never said that.”
Andrea sighed and put down the pen and paper. She ran a frustrated hand through her hair as she looked at her friend. “You know my views on marriage. On love.”
