Greydon studied him for a moment. “You seem happy,” he commented. “Making me wonderwhohas had this effect on you.”
Fredrick should have known that his friend would see right through him, but he didn’t want to continue down this line of questioning. He bowed to Lady Rushcliffe. “My lady,” he greeted.
“I do believe I asked you to call me Enid, on multiple occasions,” she responded with a warm smile.
Fredrick returned her smile. “It is good to see you looking so well.”
Greydon took a step closer to him. “Do not think I don’t know what you are doing.”
“What is that?” Fredrick asked.
“You are trying to avoid my comments, but it won’t work,” Greydon said, a knowing glint in his eyes.
Enid playfully swatted at her husband’s sleeve. “Leave Fredrick alone. He has a right to his own secrets.”
“It isn’t a very well-kept secret,” Greydon joked. “Anyone with eyes can see that Fredrick is enamored with the lovely Miss Sutherland.”
“I think it is sweet. Although, I am not acquainted with Miss Sutherland,” Enid said. “But Anette speaks very highly of her.”
Fredrick nodded. “I do believe that Anette and Miss Sutherland have grown rather close as they planned the ball together.”
Enid’s eyes swept over the ballroom. “Yes, and what a splendid ball it turned out to be. I have no doubt people will be talking about it for weeks to come.”
“Where is Miss Sutherland?” Greydon asked.
Fredrick gestured towards the back wall. “On the veranda with Clarissa.”
“I found it to be an odd choice that she invited Clarissa and Calvin to the ball,” Greydon remarked. “And it was even more surprising that they agreed to come. I can’t imagine they have been received very well this evening.”
“Miss Sutherland has a soft spot for them, and she wanted to ensure they were included in the festivities,” Fredrick explained.
Enid nodded approvingly. “Miss Sutherland seems like a kind-hearted young woman.”
“She is,” Fredrick rushed to say. “I have never met anyone who has such a loving heart for everyone.”
“Then you best not let her go,” Enid advised with a twinkle in her eyes.
Fredrick decided it was best to be honest with his friends, but not too honest. “I care for Miss Sutherland, but I still do not know if offering for her is the best idea. My past has caught up to me, and I don’t know if I can care for her as she deserves.”
Greydon exchanged a telling look with Enid before saying, “Have you been honest about your past?”
“I have told her about the war, but I still have some secrets that I have not shared, particularly that I have been working as a spy,” Fredrick admitted.
“My advice to you is to be honest about everything,” Greydon said. “Don’t hold anything back and let her decide if she can step into your life.”
Enid nodded her agreement. “Greydon is right. You must be honest with Miss Sutherland if you want your marriage to work.”
“What if she thinks it is all too much?” Fredrick asked.
“Then you will know your answer,” Enid replied.
With a resigned sigh, Fredrick said, “That does not sound easy.”
Greydon slipped his arm around Enid’s waist. “Love never is, but it is worth it, my friend.”
Fredrick saw no reason to correct Greydon. His heart belonged to Emilia, and he didn’t care if everyone knew. But it was more important that Emilia knew. He had to tell her the truth, and he truly hoped that she would reciprocate his affection.
The next set was announced and it was to be the waltz. He wondered what was keeping Emilia. He didn’t want to pass on the chance to hold her in his arms.
