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But, thinking about it, it probably looked like that.
Why didn’t I tell Gabriel to back off?
“So, Lord Burville is going to be here at ten-thirty,” Lady Bedford said brightly. “And you’re going to be here to entertain him. He’ll be your guest, after all.”
“Mother …”
“Sit down and eat your breakfast.”
That was not a suggestion. Biting back the frustration, Dorothy sat beside Frederica and tried to eat. While she had her breakfast, her mind was racing. She really didn’t know what to do.
Of course she should be polite and wait for Gabriel to come over, and then go and see Lucas later, but if she did that, then the anticipation would build to a height that she knew would make her uncomfortable in front of others. Dorothy knew she wasn’t that good a liar; her mother would immediately figure out what was going on, and then she certainly wouldn’t be leaving the house.
Frederica finished breakfast first, but she waited until Dorothy was finally done. Then she stood up, taking Dorothy’s hand and leading her out of the room. Then she signalled for the footman who was walking past.
“Could you get our bonnets and coats? We’re going to be leaving shortly.”
“Yes, Lady Frederica.”
The footman bowed his head and walked towards the foyer. Frederica started getting Dorothy to move.
“Come on,” she hissed. “We’re going out the side door into the stables.”
“What? What are we doing?”
“We have a prior engagement already. We’re going to be keeping to it.”
Dorothy stopped and stared at her friend.
“What? We’re actually going to run away?”
“Not run away. We’re going to carry on as we would have.”
“And what about Gabriel?”
“He can wait around until later. It’s his own fault for making an appointment to see you when you have something else to do already.” Frederica tugged Dorothy’s hand. “Come on! We’re going to get caught by your mother. Live a little dangerously, won’t you?”
Before Dorothy could respond, her friend was dragging her through the house towards the door that led into the stables. The carriage was being prepared with the horses; it looked like the stable workers hadn’t been told about the change of plans. Frederica said something to the stable manager, and then she pushed Dorothy into the carriage.
“Get in! We need to leave before your parents catch us!”
“Frederica …”
“You want to see Lucas, don’t you? Let’s get a move on!”
Dorothy was almost unceremoniously dumped onto the seat before Frederica jumped in behind her and shut the door. As the carriage rocked with the driver getting into his seat, Frederica leaned out of the window.
“To the Wyboston estate from yesterday. Let’s get going!”
Dorothy squeaked as the carriage started moving as she attempted to get up. She was still reeling from what was happening. Had Frederica gone mad?
They came around the front of the house, and Dorothy saw the footman coming out with their bonnets. Frederica then got in the way, snatching them out of his hands with a beaming smile.
“Thank you!”
Then she was getting back in, dumping Dorothy’s bonnet on her lap as she sat across from her with a satisfied expression.
“There! I think we’re relatively ready. After all, it’s lovely weather, and we’re already wearing our gloves.”
