Page 71 of The Duke's Spinster Bride
“The blue one with the little goats embroidered on it.” Frederick made flicking motions with his fingers as he adjusted an invisible cravat around his neck.
“I thought they were bulls.”
“They might be. All I know is they are some kind of horned creature.” He canted his head towards her. “Have you seen it?”
“You know, you would have a much easier time finding things if you put them back where they belong. That is why I organised all the clothing boxes for you…. Well, most of them.” She swallowed, thinking about the set of clothes she had decided to leave unorganised as the very thought of touching them made her blush so deeply she could scarcely cope.
How I am expected to be even vaguely sensible when the man has to simply look at me to make my knees go weak, I do not know.She shook herself, trying to bring her wandering mind back to the task at hand.
“But then I would have no excuse to come and bother you.” Frederick flopped onto the bed beside her, batting his eyelashes at her in comic fashion.
“As though you have ever needed an excuse to do that.” She laughed, her fingers brushing against his hand.
A shiver ran down her spine, and to her satisfaction she saw a similar effect take hold of Frederick too.At least we are both as bad as each other.
He grinned at her, his eyes slightly lidded with a strong emotion. “True. But I do like having one.”
“I am sure you do.” She licked her lips. “Well, I can tell you that you will not find your cravat sitting on the bed with me.”
“I might.” He leaned back, stretching across the bed like a cat srtetching in the sun.
“You definitely will not. I think the last place I saw it was hanging up on the coat rack by the front door.”
“What is it doing there?”
“Goodness only knows, I am not the one who put it there. It is a wonder your valet does not quit out of sheer frustration.”
“He is used to my ways. Besides, that is why I have so many cravats and such, I am constantly losing them and having to replace them.”
“You could just put them where they belong.”
“I could, but by the time I remove them from my neck I am usually too drunk or too tired to care.”
“Then it is lucky you are so wealthy.”
An odd look crossed Frederick’s face that she could not quite read. “It is not as though we are not both wealthy. After all, you are my wife.”
“And that wealth is yours, not mine. At least, as far as the law is concerned.”
There was that strange look again. Andrea frowned. “Is something the matter?”
Frederick gave a start and shook his head. “No. I… I was just thinking about my cravat. That is all.”
He stood up, reaching a hand towards her and then apparently thinking better of it as he curled his hand into a fist and walked away from him.
Andrea watched him go, brows creased. She could not say why, but she had the sneaking suspicion that Frederick had just lied to her.
ChapterTwenty-Four
“You look beautiful.” Frederick’s voice was hoarse as Andrea walked towards him.
He took put a foot on the stairs, taking a step towards her before he even realised what he was doing. Her smile widened as he looked up at her.How have I been so lucky?
Her red ballgown shimmered as she moved down the stairs, the silver embroidery catching the light and reflecting it all around them. The dress was cut with a swooping neckline and short sleeves that showed off the gentle curve of her arm.
Her neck was an elegant line, framed with a delicate gold necklace. Her eyes met his and she blushed, but did not look away.
“Thank you.” She slipped an arm through his, chewing on her lip as they moved towards the door.
