Page 43 of The Duke's Spinster Bride
“I see why Grandmama speaks so highly of you.” Lord Elington nodded to himself.
Andrea tried to think of a way to turn the conversation to something else. While she and Lucy had talked of her practicing receiving compliments, the actuality was rather more difficult for her to manage.
Frederick was studying her, his eyes narrowed as though he could see her discomfort. “No doubt Elington has been filling your head with all sorts of lies about our misadventures.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course, you would think we were talking about you.”
“I assure you, everything he has told you is a complete and utter lie.” Frederick gave her a cheeky grin. “And what was not a lie was entirely his fault.”
Before Andrea could say anything, Lord Elington gave his cousin an affectionate push and interjected. “It seems marriage has affected your memory, old boy. I am fairly certain it was you who instigated that incident at Dorson’s. You know, the one involving the sheep and-”
“- I am sure the Duchess does not want to hear about that.” Frederick shot his cousin a glare, his ears endearingly red.
Andrea looked between the two men. “Oh, but I do.”
Images of a younger Frederick and his cousins seemed to fill her mind, followed by woolly sheep and various tomfoolery.What did they get up to?She found herself watching as the colour on Frederick deepened.
It was a pleasant change, especially when he seemed to delight in making her blush. She was about to press the Marquess for more details when the clock chimed two.
“Oh, drat. I have an appointment with the stable master about the new mare.” She looked at Lord Elington and then Frederick. “But I do expect to hear details of this story later.”
“And I will be most pleased to share them.” Lord Elington laughed as Frederick let out a splutter of outrage. “Until we meet again, Madam.”
She inclined her head towards him and then to Frederick. “I shall look forward to it.”
An odd look flashed across Frederick’s face, though it past too quickly for her to be sure of it. The brief darkening of his eyes, the tightening of his lips was replaced by a smile.
“I will see you both at dinner.” Andrea puzzled over the look on Frederick’s face a moment longer, before turning to his cousin. “It has been lovely meeting you.”
“And you.” The Marquess inclined his head towards her.
Andrea turned away from the men, but as she walked to the stables, she had the distinct impression that her husband’s eyes were following her.
She looked back, but he seemed engrossed in conversation.I am probably just imagining things.
The feeling of being watched continued until she could no longer see the two men.
ChapterFourteen
“Ican see why you married her.” Thomas jerked his head in the direction Andrea had walked.
Frederick’s eyes kept drifting after her as she walked towards the stables. His chest felt tight as he watched her leave, especially after seeing how she had been with Thomas. The sound of her laughter had filled him with warmth when he had first heard it, pulling a smile to his own face.
His smile had faded when he heard his cousin’s laughter. He had frowned at the sudden heaviness on his chest.She was being friendly. That is all, she is the Duchess after all.Still, he had to force himself to unclench his fist as he turned to face his cousin.
“What do you mean?” Frederick frowned. “You know that our marriage is not one formed of sentiment. It was simply a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
To love is to lose.The memory of his father’s tear-streaked face swum to the forefront of his mind. The crackle of thunder filled his mind as a casket was lowered into the ground. Finding his father alone, lost in his cups, having just buried his wife. “To love is to lose, Frederick. Never forget it.”
He pushed the memory from his mind. His eyes wandered back to where Andrea had been walking, but he caught himself and focused on his cousin instead.
Thomas arched an eyebrow at him, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “And I suppose this is why you kissed her with such passion it set every tongue in the ton wagging?”
Frederick faltered on the steps into the castle, colour going to his“It does not take much to light the wildfire of ton gossip, you know that.” Frederick stumbled as he made his way up the castle steps. “Besides, I had to kiss her.”
His cheeks flushed as the memory of the kiss surfaced. Beside him, Thomas’s grin broadened, and Frederick straightened, striding into the house as he tried to compose himself.
The smell of Andrea’s perfume filled his nose as he entered the castle. It was so strong, he could have sworn she was beside him. He almost turned to face her, before he caught sight of servant carrying a bundle of her clothes to be washed.
