Miss Sutherland’s eyes left his and roamed over the room. “This is a lovely drawing room,” she acknowledged.
“My grandmother decorated it but my mother added a few touches here and there.”
Her gaze met his with a depth of compassion. “I heard about your mother and I wish to offer my deepest condolences. It is never easy to watch someone that you love grow progressively worse.”
The way she spoke, he suspected that she had firsthand experience with such a situation. “Is that how your mother died?”
She nodded. “I was a stranger to my mother in her final days. She seemed to be living out her life when she was younger. It was difficult, but I wouldn’t trade anything for those final days with her. She was all I had.”
“You had no other family?”
“None that my mother spoke of,” Miss Sutherland replied. “And I never knew my father’s…” Her voice trailed off. “I suppose that makes sense since he wasn’t truly my father. Sir Charles was.”
Fredrick walked further into the drawing room, but still maintained a proper distance. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to know Sir Charles. He was a good man. A bit misunderstood, but he always did the right thing.”
“Speaking of family,” Miss Sutherland started, “Calvin and Clarissa came to visit me.”
“What did they want?”
“Nothing, per se,” Miss Sutherland replied. “Clarissa even offered to help me with decorating the townhouse for the ball.”
For some reason, that revelation did not sit well with him. Clarissa and Calvin weren’t exactly known for their selfless behavior.
“I would be cautious around Clarissa and Calvin,” he advised.
Miss Sutherland grinned. “I intend to. I want to believe they are being genuine, but I couldn’t help but wonder why the sudden change of heart.”
“Good,” Fredrick said. “You must trust what your heart is telling you.”
“Is that what you do- trust your heart?”
Fredrick shook his head. “No, I am much too pragmatic for that. I go off instinct and it has yet to lead me astray.”
“My mother always encouraged me to follow my heart, but I didn’t have time to do something so foolish. After she died, I had to find a way to survive without her. Which I did, but it took a lot of hard work.”
“It is impressive that you found your own way.”
“Not impressive,” Miss Sutherland said. “The way I lived before I came to London was not something anyone would be envious of, especially someone in your position. It took me nearly three years to save three pounds, and I oftentimes went without to accomplish such a feat.”
Fredrick held her gaze. “You are wrong. You took what you had been given, and you found a way to push forward, despitethe obstacles in your way.” He paused. “I find that to be remarkable.”
“You are kind, but wrong to say so. There is nothing remarkable about me. I am utterly unremarkable.”
“Why do you sell yourself short?” Fredrick asked. “You are so quick to deflect praise, and yet you are worthy of it.”
Miss Sutherland began to fidget with her hands, a sure sign that she was nervous. “I suppose I am not used to people complimenting me.”
“Then perhaps you should start.” Fredrick took a step closer to her. “I will help you learn how to take a compliment.”
She eyed him curiously. “How are you going to do that?”
“I will compliment you, and you will accept it graciously,” he replied. “Shall we begin?”
Miss Sutherland grew determined but her eyes betrayed her hint of hesitation. “Yes, I suppose so.”
Fredrick smiled and said, “You are looking especially lovely this evening.”
“Thank you, but?—”
