Page 74 of The Duke's Spinster Bride
Frederick, who had just taken a sip of his wine spluttered and coughed. Both Andrea and Lady Arlham looked at him, their eyebrows raised.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes. Fine. Just… Swallowed wrong.” He beckoned for the two women to continu talking.
Every so often, he would interject in the conversation, highlighting some achievement or another of Andrea’s or flattering one of the other members of their group.
But as they moved between the circles, he found he needed to do so less and less. A finger tugged at his sleeve and he turned to find a servant looking at him expectantly. “A note for you , Your Grace.”
Frederick took it and frowned, his heart thundering as he realised who it was from . “The man who gave you this. Where is he?”
“On the veranda, Your Grace.” The servant jerked his head in the direction of the veranda.
“Thank you.” Frederick slipped a hand into his pocket and then shook the servant’s hand, slipping him a £10 note as he did. “I trust you will forget that you have seen him.”
The man nodded and Frederick was about to step away and make his way towards the veranda when Andrea grabbed his wrist. “Where are you going?”
“I am just stepping out for some air.” He gently pulled free of her grip.
Her eyes went wide. “You are leaving me?”
“Only for a moment, but you do not need to worry. You have scarcely needed me for the last half hour.” He smiled at her.
“But-”
“- Andrea, you can do this.” He gave her arm a squeeze. “I would not leave if I thought you could not.”
“You swear?”
“On my honour.” He placed a hand over his chest. “You can do this. Remember, you are the Duchess.”
She nodded, and he left, striding onto the veranda. As soon as he emerged into the cool night air, he spotted Mr. Langley. The man scurried over to him and placed an envelope in his hand.
“Everything you wanted. And more.”
Frederick nodded and opened the envelope. As soon as he read what was inside it, he gasped. Wordlessly, he handed Mr. Langley the rest of the money he was owed, and then turned to face the ballroom.
“I think it is high time I gave my wife another gift.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
“You simply must come up North! I have no doubt you would love it.” Lady Arlham exclaimed, flicking her wrist towards Andrea. “The scenery you could paint would be simply magnificent. The way the light hits the hills!”
Andrea smiled at her, resisting the urge to glance over the woman’s shoulder to see if she could see where Frederick had gone.He said I could do this, no doubt he will be back soon.
The group of people around her had grown. Lady and Lord Arlham had been joined by Viscountess Bircham and Miss Windhelm. All of them looked at her expectantly.
“I am sure I would, though I would have to discuss it with the Duke first of course.” Andrea glanced over her shoulder, but could see no sign of Frederick.Where is he?
“Of course, of course! You must both come. You and I can paint, and the boys can do … Well, whatever it is that men do when they spend time together.” Lady Arlham let out a laugh and Andrea joined in. “Perhaps they can go out for a ride or a spot of hunting. Though if that is the case, we will need to get the timing of your visit right.”
“I am sure we will be able to arrange something. I have been meaning to see more of the country.” Andrea swallowed, thinking of just how little she had seen.
“And you simply must visit Bath!” Miss Windhelm placed a hand gently on hers.
“Oh, I am sure my daughter would love to oblige you. After all, she seems to have become quite the well-travelled little thing.” Her father’s cold voice cut to the heart of her as she felt his fingers dig into her shoulder.
She turned, staring into his eyes. Her mind had gone completely blank. The only thing that filled her was a roiling panic. She had no desire to let him hurt any of these people.
