“What is wrong with the gown that I have on?”
“A lady only spends a few hours in each gown and then you move on to the next,” Lily said. “At least, that is what Mrs. Harvey told me.”
Emilia reached for her teacup and brought it up to her lips. “I think I shall stay in this gown for the rest of the day.”
Lily ventured further into the room. “Shall we play a card game before you rest from your taxing morning?” Her words were laced with humor.
“That sounds delightful,” Emilia said.
Fredrick set the paper down on the desk, releasing a sigh of frustration. Kendrick had given them little information to go on and he wasn’t quite sure where to go from here. They needed to find Caleb, but his whereabouts remained a mystery, and time was of the essence.
He harbored a sincere hope that Caleb was still alive. But with each passing day that Caleb failed to return home, Fredrick couldn’t help but wonder if he would ever see him again.
Rising, he walked over to the window and looked out. He had agreed to take on this assignment in part because he wanted to hold Lord Drycott accountable for allowing Mr. Barnard onto English soil. Mr. Barnard had nearly killed Roswell and Octavia, and that could not go unanswered.
The sun had nearly set and Fredrick contemplated if life would get better for him. He had everything that he could ever want, but nothing that he truly wanted. He just wanted to feel something again.
Anette entered the room and announced, “I have invited Miss Sutherland for dinner this evening and she should be arriving soon.”
Botheration. He had no desire to entertain house guests this evening, even though, secretly, he was pleased that it was Miss Sutherland. He just couldn’t let Anette know that. He was well aware that if he showed any sign of enjoying the company of Miss Sutherland, Anette would suspect there was more to it, which there wasn’t. But it might lead to more unwanted questions- questions he had no desire to answer.
Miss Sutherland was nothing more than a friend- no more, no less. It didn’t matter that when she smiled, it felt as if his very soul lifted, even if only for a brief moment.
Turning to face his sister-in-law, Fredrick asked, “Didn’t we just see Miss Sutherland last night at the soiree?”
“We did, but I thought it might be a nice gesture,” Anette said. “Besides, we need to plan the ball that is being held in her honor.”
“I have no desire to help plan a ball.”
“Nor would I expect you to,” Anette remarked. “While you and Roswell have a glass of port after supper, Miss Sutherland and I will discuss the particulars.”
Fredrick glanced down at the paper on his desk, aware that he couldn’t afford to waste any time. He had important work that he had to see to, but could he resist the opportunity to spend more time with Miss Sutherland?
Knowing that Anette was still waiting for a response, Fredrick inclined his head and replied, “Very well.”
A bright smile graced Anette’s lips, as if she were privy to a secret. He couldn’t help but wonder what she was up to. Surely, she wasn’t that delighted that he had agreed to the dinner with Miss Sutherland?
Carson stepped into the room and announced, “Miss Sutherland has arrived, and she is in the drawing room.”
“Thank you,” Anette acknowledged.
After the butler departed from the study, Anette asked, “Will you go greet Miss Sutherland? I’m afraid I grabbed the wrong gloves for dinner.”
“Your gloves look fine to me,” Fredrick remarked.
Anette waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll only be a moment.” Without uttering another word, she left the room.
Fredrick didn’t mind greeting Miss Sutherland. In fact, he found her not only pleasant but rather captivating. As he’d gotten to know her better, he’d discovered an inner strength in her that he deeply admired, and he suspected she didn’t fully realize her true worth.
He departed his study and headed towards the drawing room. As he stepped into the room, it appeared that MissSutherland’s eyes brightened at the sight of him, or maybe he was merely imagining it. Perhaps it was the play of light in the room that had deceived his eyes.
Fredrick bowed. “Good evening,” he greeted.
She dropped into a curtsy. “My lord,” she said.
“Anette and Roswell will be down shortly,” Fredrick informed her, unsure of what else to say. Why was he suddenly nervous? He never got nervous.
He took a moment to admire Miss Sutherland. She was adorned in a pale blue gown that emphasized her graceful figure, and her dark hair was elegantly arranged atop her head. A string of pearls adorned her neck. There was no denying her beauty, but each time he saw her, it seemed to be even more enchanting.
