“You have been working toward this for too long to have your progress halted in such an unjust way—one for which you bear no fault.”
Frederick shrugged.
William’s brows contracted further. “That is not the reaction I expected. You have been mad after a Parliament seat for as long as I can remember. What has changed?”
Frederick gave a grimacing smile. “That is another long story…”
“Freddie, I have come all the way to Cornwall. Do you not think I have earned a long story or two?”
Frederick smiled slightly. “I suppose you have.”
He launched into a long but abridged version of what had transpired since his arrival in Trelowen a few weeks ago.
Aside from two or three clarifying questions, William listened in silence. He had always been a good listener. His staid and steady demeanor had made the transition to duke an easy one for Frederick to believe. He wore his title with grace, but ironically, he was far less starched up now than he had beenbeforebecoming the Duke of Rockwood.
Everyone in the family knew where—or to whom, rather—to credit the change. His wife had been a maid before she had been a duchess, and the effect she had upon William was to loosen his iron-clad grip on tradition and propriety.
Frederick had wondered at it at the time, but now he understood. To love with one’s entire heart meant to change how one viewed the world, to see new things—or to see old things in new ways.
Once Frederick reached the part of the story where he had decided to abandon his campaign, William’s gaze grew intent.
“You needn’t regard me in that way,” Frederick said.
“I most certainly do need to. Freddie…you have had your sights set on Parliament for as long as I can remember. You mean to tell me you have suddenly had a change of heart?”
Frederick gave a rueful smile. “I have not stopped wanting Parliament, Will. But there is something I want more now.”
“Lady Radcliffe.”
Frederick nodded. “So, you see, I had intended to withdraw even before Oswald’s revelation.”
William studied him in silence for a time. “I fail to see why you need do so.”
“To show Caroline I am in earnest—that my attentions are not due to her votes.”
“And is she convinced?”
Frederick thought of their time together on the beach, and his pulse hummed. “I believe so.”
William looked less pleased than Frederick thought this response merited. In fact, he looked troubled. “Frederick, I am no expert on love, but surely a woman who loves you would not wish for you to sacrifice your dreams for her. Would you expect such a thing fromher?”
“That is easy to say when you could make the woman ofyourdreams a duchess.”
William grimaced.
Frederick ran a hand through his hair. “Forgive me.”
“You are right, though.”
“I am not. I know what obstacles you faced. But Caroline was right, Will. Ididcome for her votes.”
“And now that she has seen you were willing to sacrifice them…”
Frederick’s energy dissipated slightly. “Now, the choice is made for us. I could not stand for election even if I wished to.”He could not keep a tinge of bitterness from creeping into his voice.
William waited a moment before responding. “What if you could stand for election after all?”
“What?”
