“I did,” Roswell said as he warmly greeted his wife with a kiss on her cheek.
Fredrick approached Caleb and asked, “How are you faring?”
Caleb shifted in his seat, appearing uncomfortable. “I will survive.”
“You look awful,” Fredrick remarked.
“I feel awful,” Caleb groaned. “I am just grateful that you both arrived when you did. If you hadn’t, I would be dead.” He paused. “How did you know I needed your help?”
Fredrick exchanged a look with Roswell before revealing, “Simone told us that your situation was dire.”
Caleb gave him a blank look. “Who is Simone?”
“You don’t know?” Roswell asked. “We just had assumed you were acquainted with her.”
“I am not,” Caleb responded.
Fredrick crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you know how Lord Drycott discovered your true identity?”
Caleb shook his head. “No. I have been racking my brain all morning, but I don’t remember making a misstep.”
Their conversation came to an abrupt halt when Lady Oxley entered the room. “Fredrick. Roswell. What are you doing here?”
Roswell turned towards Lady Oxley. “We just came to speak to Caleb.”
“Caleb is in no condition to have visitors,” Lady Oxley said. “Besides, the doctor will be returning shortly to examine him. I must insist that you let Caleb recover.”
Anette spoke up. “They were only here to offer encouragement.”
Lady Oxley’s demeanor softened. “My apologies,” she said. “I’m afraid I am a little uneasy ever since Caleb returned home in such a state. The streets of London are far too dangerous and I can’t believe how close we came to losing Caleb.”
“You have no reason to apologize, my lady,” Fredrick acknowledged. “We will come back later after Caleb has had some rest.”
“Thank you,” Lady Oxley said.
Roswell slipped his arm around Anette’s waist. “If you don’t mind, I believe I will stay with my wife for a little longer.”
“Not at all,” Fredrick responded. “I have work that I must see to anyways.”
Fredrick departed the townhouse and stepped into the coach. As he traveled back to his own townhouse, he noticed that they were approaching Emilia’s townhouse.
On an impulse he couldn’t quite explain, he pounded on the top of the coach with his fist and the coach came to a stop. He exited the coach and approached the main door of Emilia’s townhouse, where he knocked. The door was promptly opened.
“Good morning, my lord,” the butler greeted.
“Is Miss Sutherland available to receive callers?”
The butler nodded and held the door open wide. “Please come in, and I will announce you.”
Fredrick stepped into the entry hall, suddenly feeling rather foolish. Why had he come to call on Emilia? He needed to review the accounts and he didn’t have time to lollygag. So why had he thought this was a good idea?
Perhaps he should leave before the butler announced him.
As the butler walked towards the drawing room, Fredrick called out after him. “Wait,” he ordered.
The butler halted and turned back around. “Yes, my lord?”
“I’ve changed my mind,” Fredrick informed him. “I’m afraid I must depart at once.”
