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With a soft nudge, Frederick urged Remus to go over to Gemma. He padded over to her and nosed her hand, his tail wagging in anticipation of being petted. She giggled and rubbed his face before he placed his paws on her knees and nosed at her chin.

“You are a loving boy, are you not?” She rubbed him under his chin and spoke softly to Remus. “They say that pets take their mannerisms from their masters. You know, your master may have a stoic disposition—” her eyes flickered to the Duke “—but you are nothing like that, are you, Remus?”

Cocking an elbow on the back of his chair, Frederick sipped his wine and smirked. “I do not know whether I should be amused or insulted.”

“Somewhere in the middle, perhaps?” Gemma proposed, and noticed the hint of a smile dancing on the Duke’s lips.

She stood and gave Remus one last rub of his ears, then curtsied. “I shall see you in the morrow, Your Grace.”

“Goodnight, Miss Bradford,” he replied.

The first storm had set the tone of things to come.

Gemma entered the breakfast room cautiously, hoping to enjoy a quiet meal with Vivian, only to find Frederick already seated at the table, his gaze fixed on the sheets of rain as they hammered upon the windows. He barely glanced at her when she walked in.

“Good morning,” Gemma said softly, sliding into her seat. She took notice of the unusual tension in the air, although the storm seemed sufficient reason for it.

Frederick gave her a curt nod. “Morning.”

Just as she began to help herself to the pastries, Vivian swept in, her face alight with enthusiasm.

“Oh, I see you have both started without me! How rude,” she teased. “Frederick, dear, it is lovely to have you join us for breakfast. You have hardly left that study of yours all week.”

Frederick’s eyes flickered toward his grandmother. “I prefer the solitude,” he replied dryly.

“Nonsense,” Vivian waved her hand dismissively. “It is far more enjoyable with the right company.”

Gemma smiled awkwardly, aware of the undercurrent of tension that flowed between the two.

“Gemma, you must make good use of the library today,” Vivian said brightly. “There are so many wonderful books in there. Why, Frederick spent most of his childhood in that library, did you not, dear?”

Frederick’s brow furrowed. “I suppose.”

“You know, Gemma,” Vivian continued, ignoring her grandson’s lackluster response, “Frederick is quite the expert on estate management. You should ask him for advice if you find anything interesting. Perhaps he could help you locate some old records or historical documents.”

Gemma shot Vivian a suspicious glance, her instincts telling her that the suggestion was merely the tip of the iceberg of a larger scheme. “I will keep that in mind.”

Frederick’s eyes darkened at the mention of reviewing old records, and Gemma instantly realized that Vivian was once again trying to find ways to push them together.

Later that day, Gemma wandered into the library. It was a stunning room, lined with shelves of well-worn books that smelled of old parchment and ink. She ran her fingers along the spines, trying to lose herself in the quiet comfort of the place.

A creak of the door interrupted her thoughts.

She turned to see Frederick standing in the doorway, his expression hardened by irritation and something else that she could not quite place.

“Miss Bradford. I did not expect to see you here,” he said in a clipped voice.

“Nor did I expect you, Your Grace,” Gemma shot back, her heartbeat quickening as she met his gaze. “Her Grace suggested I explore the library.”

“She would,” he muttered under his breath, stepping further into the room. “What are you looking for?”

Gemma shrugged, her fingers brushing across an old volume on the shelf. “Nothing in particular. Just…passing the time.”

He regarded her for a moment before moving to the opposite side of the room, pretending to inspect a set of ledgers. Thesilence between them was thick with unspoken words and Gemma could feel the tension building in the room.

“You do not seem like the type to waste time,” Frederick remarked, his tone sharp.

“Neither do you,” Gemma replied, turning to face him fully. “Yet here we both are.”