“Nor should you,” Anette said. “She is dying and deserves to eat whatever she wants.”
Emilia placed her empty glass down next to her on the bench.
Fredrick arched an eyebrow. “You are finished, already?”
“Was I wrong to do so?” Emilia asked.
Anette chimed in. “You can eat your ice however you see fit. There is no right way to enjoy it. Is there, Fredrick?”
“Of course not. That was not my intention to imply such a thing,” Fredrick replied. “Would you like me to get you another?”
Emilia put her hand up. “There is no need.” She glanced around before lowering her voice. “Why does it feel like everyone is staring at me?”
“That is because they are,” Anette said. “Do not give them much heed.”
“Why are they staring?” Emilia asked.
Anette shrugged her shoulders. “Who knows, but they will go about their own business in a few moments.”
The worker arrived back at the carriage with the bag in his hand. “Here you are, my lord,” he said, extending the treats towards him.
Fredrick retrieved the bag before he handed the worker a coin.
Anette eyed the bag and asked, “Would you like me to ensure they are not poisonous?”
“Now you are sounding like Octavia,” Fredrick joked. “But you are more than welcome to have one.”
As he settled back to enjoy his ice, Fredrick recognized that he was truly enjoying this outing. It was far preferable to being stuck in the study, working on the accounts.
But he suspected the real reason why he was enjoying himself so much was because of Emilia.
Chapter Eighteen
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the study, Fredrick found himself seated at the desk, attempting to work on the accounts. However, his mind was on anything but. He couldn’t stop dwelling on Emilia. She was quickly starting to occupy space in his heart, a heart that he had believed to be impenetrable.
Everything had changed between them when he shared what happened with Timmy on the battlefield. How was it that he trusted Emilia so much, even with his heart? She had managed to breach his defenses, making him feel like he wasn’t alone in his grief anymore.
How was it that she believed in him when he didn’t even believe in himself? She was a rarity amongst women. And he would be a fool to let her go. Yet the doubt started creeping in. Could he take a wife, knowing he would never truly be worthy of her?
Roswell stepped into the room. “We just received word from Miss Delacourt,” he said. “She wants us to meet her at the boarding house where the French spies are.”
“When?”
“Now,” Roswell replied.
Fredrick stood up and walked around the desk. “Let’s depart at once,” he said.
As they made their way to the coach, silence hung between them. It wasn’t until they were seated inside that Roswell broke it. “Now, will you tell me what has you so upset?”
“I am not upset,” Fredrick lied.
Roswell shot him a knowing look. “Come now, surely you do not think I can be dismissed so easily.”
“I don’t wish to discuss it,” Fredrick insisted.
With a smirk, Roswell remarked, “There is only one thing that would have you so upset and that is Emilia. Am I right?”
Fredrick adjusted his jacket’s lapels. “You aren’t wrong, but it changes nothing for me.”
