Page 58

“Think nothing of it, Freddie.” Richard stepped forward, clapping him on the shoulder with a smile. “I will ensure she is well looked after and returns home safely. You can put your faith in me.”

Some of the tension melted from his shoulders, and Rose glanced at him with an excited smile, bouncing up and down lightly on her feet.

“See! It shall be perfect. Richard is one of your oldest friends. I shall be well looked after in his care.”

The friends gathered looked at him, waiting for his word, and Frederick cast a glance over his shoulder toward Charlotte whowas still standing near the door, ready for their departure. With a sigh, he nodded and reached for Richard’s hand.

“I trust you. Thank you for allowing Rose the chance to stay and enjoy the evening. Again, I am sorry that I must leave with Charlotte, but she requires aid. I will let you all know how she fares come morning.”

“Go on, Frederick,” Amelia soothed, “Rose will be in our care. You must tend to your wife.”

The woman’s smile was soft and easy, and he could see why Richard enjoyed her presence as much as he did. She had a calming air about her, and with his nerves so frayed thanks to his concern for Charlotte, that was something he found especially compelling right now.

“Thank you.” Frederick shook hands with his friend again, paying the ladies their respect as he turned to find Charlotte at the vestibule.

He cast one final look over his shoulder at Richard, who nodded, meeting his gaze with the silent promise to let no harm come to Rose while she was in his charge. And with that, they left.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“We need to call the physician right away, Charlotte. If you’ve contracted something, time will be of the essence.”

As they stepped inside their estate, Charlotte turned to him, stopping right in the center of the foyer, and smiled. She pushed his greatcoat from his shoulders, handing it over to a servant who stood just behind him.

“Please forgive me when I say this, but,” Charlotte’s grin beamed brighter, and she pulled him by the hand toward the dining room, “I am not ill. Not in the slightest, in fact.”

“Charlotte, I don’t…” But the words dropped away as he stepped into the room after her wife and saw the incredible spread of food laid out across the table.

There was gentle candlelight illuminating the room, a slim candelabra set at either end of the long table, and the remainingdining staff framed the room at the ready to serve what could only be described as a meal of every single one of his favorite foods.

“What did you do?” He turned to Charlotte, her skin glowing in the candlelight as she stood at his side.

“I’m afraid I did lie. I am well, but I had a very good reason.” She led him to his place, pulling out his chair so that he might sit. “I wanted to repay you for the gardens. So…”

She let the spread do the talking at that point. Frederick let out a chuckle, shaking his head as he sat down. Charlotte walked to her seat across from him, a servant pulling out her chair for her.

“You are a crafty, clever little thing, Your Grace.” He grinned from ear to ear at her, taking his napkin and placing it in his lap. “Did you get everyone at Selina’s to play along?”

Charlotte licked her lips, smiling with that glow of pride that she’d pulled one over on him. “Rose was the only one to know at first, but word spreads quickly at a party.”

All he could do was laugh, sipping at the delicious wine that was suddenly poured into his glass as his stare remained fixed on Charlotte.

“I can’t believe you did all this just for me.” Frederick’s chest was warm, the toasty air around him creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

“I am grateful, Frederick. You allowed me to see something that I’ve been dreaming of for so long, and moreover, you gave me the courage to talk to Selina. Both she and Rose are aware of Cordelia and Kitty. And you were right.” She nodded at him, holding up her glass slightly. “It feels wonderful to not carry such a weight around them, and they were nothing but supportive.”

He wasn’t sure what to say to that. He’d only intended to aid her, to help Charlotte feel better and provide the best advice he could. Frederick had never been looking for payment or recompense in the form of dinner. Charlotte was his wife, and he’d simply…hoped to be there for her.

Such a change indeed.

“I am glad that I could provide you with support, Charlotte.” He held up his glass similarly, and they joined in a silent toast. “And I am quite happy to hear that my assumptions about Selina were correct. While she may be a bit more…immodest when it comes to humor, it is clear that Selina is a good friend.”

He fondly remembered the game of charades they all played, and Charlotte giggled lightly under her breath. When she finished with her sip, she looked across at him, her brows lifting as she cocked her head for a moment.

“You might be surprised at just howlittleSelina actually thinks of intimacy.”

Frederick stalled, shaking his head. “What?”

“Never mind.” Charlotte shook herself, gesturing at the table full of splendid foods. “Please, let us enjoy. There are three courses prepared, and after that, I thought we might take a walk under the stars in our own little garden behind the estate.”