Fredrick came to an abrupt stop and turned to face her. “You are worthy of my notice, and I will not tolerate you questioning otherwise,” he said. “Quite frankly, you are more than just an acquaintance to me. I consider you a friend.”
“Do you?” Miss Sutherland inquired.
“Will you stop doubting whether or not you belong in this world?” he asked. “You are the daughter of a baronet and an heiress. Whether you want it to be, this is your life now, and I hope you embrace it.”
Miss Sutherland’s eyes searched his, as if she were gauging his sincerity. “You are right, but I just find it hard to believe I am worthy of such an honor.”
“Very few people are, but I can state with certainty that you are one of them,” Fredrick affirmed.
“I am grateful to have you as a friend, my lord.”
Fredrick placed a hand on her sleeve. “I would be honored if you called me by my given name, Fredrick.”
Her face softened. “I would like that very much, assuming you do the same.”
“I would like that, Emilia,” he said. He couldn’t quite explain why saying her name felt so right, but it did.
When he said her name, Emilia smiled and it spilled into her eyes, making it nearly impossible to look away.
But he had to. For his own sake. Forming any type of attachment to Emilia would be a terrible mistake, and it was one that he could not afford.
Chapter Nine
Emilia walked into the dining room on Fredrick’s arm, wondering how he had the ability to make her feel so special. He had never judged her for her upbringing. Instead, he had encouraged her to embrace her unique perspective.
How could she not help but harbor small, minute feelings for this man? They wouldn’t amount to anything, but she couldn’t quite seem to help herself. Perhaps she only felt this way because he had been so kind to her.
No.
It was more than that. He stirred up feelings that she didn’t think she would ever have. If fortune hadn’t smiled upon her, she would have likely become a spinster. She had accepted that long ago, but now everything was different. She was an heiress, and she could marry for love.
As she settled into her chair, she snuck a glance at Fredrick. Why wasn’t he married? He was certainly handsome enough. The kindness that emanated off his person was enough to make any woman swoon.
Emilia may be rich, but she shouldn’t dwell on things she couldn’t have, with Fredrick being one of those things. Heconsidered her a friend, for which she was most grateful. Her feelings may be unrequited, but she still wanted him in her life. He made everything better simply by being a part of it.
A footman placed a bowl of soup in front of her and she reached for a spoon. She wasn’t in a talkative mood, and she hoped that the conversation would flow around her.
But she was not so lucky.
Lord Roswell met her gaze and said, “I would love to know more about you, Miss Sutherland. Your upbringing is far more interesting than mine.”
“I disagree. It was just different,” Emilia said. “I would have rather eaten off a golden spoon and ridden in carriages.”
“Is that what you imagined our childhood was like?” Fredrick asked. “I only ask because I’ve never eaten off a golden spoon before.”
Emilia smiled. “To be honest, I am not quite sure how nobility raises their children. I must assume you had a nursemaid or two.”
“We did,” Fredrick confirmed, “but my mother was very attentive to us. She would come in every night and read to us.”
“Is that a rarity amongst theton?” Emilia asked.
Lord Roswell nodded. “In most households, children are meant to be seen, not heard. But that was not the case in ours. We had dinner as a family.”
Emilia lifted her brow. “All of you?”
“Yes, and it was loud and chaotic… and perfect,” Fredrick replied. “We never had to question if our parents loved us. We just knew they did.”
“I love that,” Emilia said. “My mother was very attentive to me as well, but that is because we lived in a small cottage. We had no choice but to interact with one another.”
