Page 39 of The Duke's Spinster Bride
“When I am in the mood, but that seldom occurs.” He winked at her again. “Besides, I would hate to deprive you of my dulcet tones, I have no doubt you would miss them something fierce.”
“Yes, until you knocked into me I was practically wasting away.” She said sardonically, but he could not help but notice that her cheeks were still flushed with colour. “Now, if you are quite done distracting me, I have some accounts to read.”
She made a shooing motion with her hand, and he swept into a mocking bow. “Of course, I know how hard it is for you to have me near.”
She rolled her eyes, but Frederick was certain he saw a small smile half hidden by her hand. Her shoulders had relaxed, and her familiar grace and calmness had returned. Her movements were confident, the frenetic momentum from earlier had disappeared.
His heart settled back into his chest, and a wave of relief washed over him. Whatever mood she had been in before, he had managed to shift.
A prickle of fear ran through him, his father’s eyes filling his mind.To love is to lose.Love had nothing to do with any of this. It was perfectly natural to want to help his wife; the fact that lightening her mood sent a rush of warmth through his chest was natural.
I like being helpful, that is it.He found himself watching Andrea intently as he thought about it, taking in how much longer her next seemed when her shoulders were relaxed.
“I can feel your eyes on me. Surely you have more important things to do.” She muttered without looking up from
“Perhaps, though you are a rather pleasant sight.” He ducked as she flung a ball of paper at him. “Very well, I can tell when I am not wanted.”
She laughed softly and shook her head. “If that is true, then I expect to see pigs flying any day now.”
“Never say never, dear Duchess.” He inclined his head towards her and left the room.
He ran his thumb across each of his fingers absently, a warmth spreading over his body. He smiled and whistled to himself, the smell of jasmine following him as he went.
ChapterThirteen
“His Grace left early this morning, madam.” Lucy did not even look up from her embroidery as she said it. “That should make it far easier to avoid him.”
Andrea flushed, she had been hovering by the drawing room door, trying to peer through the gap without it appearing that that was what she was doing. Apparently, she had not been as subtle as she had hoped.
She stiffened and looked at her maid, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear as she did. Lucy continued to embroider very intently and Andrea sighed.
“I am not avoiding him.” She made a vague gesture with her hand. “I just happen to not see him very often.”
Lucy arched an eyebrow at her. “Which is why whenever you spot the Duke you seem to remember some duty or another that requires your immediate attention and also happens to be at the opposite end of the castle.”
“Well, there is rather a lot to do. And if I run into the Duke, we end up talking and then my whole day is thrown off schedule.” Andrea flopped onto the sofa beside her maid, and ran a hand through her hair.
“You make it sound as though it is a bad thing.” Lucy canted her head towards her.
“I just… I do not know what is happening to me, Lucy. Every time I run into him of late, my tongue seems to tie itself in knots. My legs seem determined to be their most uncooperative. The amount of times I appear to trip in his presence, it is a wonder he does not think I am doing it on purpose. Oh goodness, you do not think he thinks that, do you?” She buried her face in her hands, and felt Lucy gently rub a small circle on her back.
“I am sure he does not think you are doing it on purpose. And no doubt if he did, he would just assume you were trying to flirt with him.” Lucy said, her tone kind.
“That is hardly a comforting thought!” Andrea exclaimed. “At this rate, the man will think he has married a complete and utter fool.”
“I doubt that, Your Grace. He seems to think rather highly of you. If he did not, no doubt he would not have set up the meeting with his solicitor and requested your presence.” Lucy pointed out reasonably.
The solicitor had visited the day before to discuss her and Frederick’s ideas for the estate, highlighting potential areas of risk and advising them on the wording of their proposals. Andrea had got so caught up in her excitement that she had almost forgotten her husband was there, until he had interjected.
“At least I did not make a mess of that meeting. I managed to keep my head, and the plans will move ahead. Not like –” Andrea cut herself off and shook her head, clenching her fists.So many mistakes, for every success there are at least three things I could have done better.“I just feel like I am getting it all wrong.”
“You are doing your best, and that is all any of us can do. You are still new to the station. If you never make a mistake, how are you to learn?” Lucy opened her mouth, and then closed it again. “If I might be frank, your Grace?”
“Of course.” Andrea motioned for Lucy to speak her mind.
“You are being rather hard on yourself. I worry that you set such high standards that you will never achieve them.” Lucy chewed on her bottom lip. “You have achieved a great deal in a short amount of time, you are allowed to be proud of yourself, your Grace.”
“I do not want anyone to think I am complacent. And well, I am aware that I spent a lot of time simply winding up the duke rather than tending to my duties.” Andrea swallowed. “I have rather a lot of catching up to do.”
