Fredrick didn’t know why her words affected him so deeply, but they did. She trusted him, despite only just meeting him.
“Everything I thought I knew about my life was a lie,” she shared. “I am someone else entirely.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“It is just different,” she replied. “And now, I am a part of this world that I know nothing about, and I fear that everyone will know how vastly incapable I am.”
Fredrick leaned back in his seat. “I must assume you are speaking of theton.”
“Yes, are you familiar with it?”
“A little,” he lied. He knew all too well about the trappings of theton. He had no doubt that this young woman would be treated horrendously by members of high Society. She was far too innocent to be treated in any other fashion.
“Will you teach me?”
He lifted his brow. “About theton?”
She nodded. “Yes, about thetonand about everything.”
“That could take some time.”
Perking up in her seat, she said, “I have time. Lots of time. In fact, I have more time than I know what to do with now.”
A thought occurred to Fredrick. He had an idea on how he could help her, and he hoped she would be willing to try it. “I am not opposed to helping you, but my sister-in-law, Anette, would be a far better teacher than me.”
“I don’t know,” she said. “Do you think she would be willing to help me?”
“I do, but I should warn you that she tends to speak her mind freely,” he replied.
The young woman appeared thoughtful. “I would appreciate her help, and yours, if you are still willing.”
“I am. But in order for me to assist you, I must know who to call upon,” Fredrick said.
“I suppose you are right.” She hesitated, a subtle hint of vulnerability in her eyes. “My name is Miss Hembry… no… Miss Sutherland.”
“Which one is it?” he questioned.
She squared her shoulders and replied, “Miss Sutherland.”
Realization dawned on him as he asked, “Are you related to Sir Charles Sutherland?”
“I am,” she replied.
“I hadn’t realized he had any other children.”
She offered him a timid smile. “It was rather a recent development.”
Fredrick knew there was more to the story but he didn’t want to press her. Not yet. He suspected she had revealed far more than she had intended to. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.
“If you are not opposed, I shall call upon you tomorrow and I will bring Anette with me,” he said.
Her smile grew, and he found himself smiling back at her. Which was odd since he hardly smiled anymore. “I would like that very much,” she responded.
“May I escort you back to your townhouse?”
“Do not trouble yourself,” she said. “I brought a maid with me.”
Fredrick shifted his gaze towards the petite maid and he found himself worried on her behalf. Miss Sutherland may not know what kind of danger she was in, but he did. That maid could hardly fend off a persistent suitor.
