Page 20 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

“Cancelled,” he said.

Dr Frederick smiled and nodded.

“So, Your Grace, just give her that,” he said, pointing to the vial on the table, “and allow her to receive lots of air and sunshine, not the stifling air of a bedroom. She will be fine.”

The Duke nodded and opened the door as he walked out. Dr Frederick walked out after him. The Duke removed an envelope from his pocket and gave it to Dr Frederick.

“For your troubles,” he said.

Dr Frederick nodded and walked down the corridor back to the sitting room. The driver was waiting for him. The driver walked out of the house first, and Dr Frederick followed closely behind. The driver went to the front of the carriage while Dr Frederick got in. He opened the window of the carriage now; he wasn’t planning on falling asleep.

The ride was steady. The driver wasn’t in any haste. Dr Frederick looked outside the window, appreciating the view. He hardly had time to look around him anytime he was on his steed. He was always rushing to meet up with something.

This opportunity doesn’t always avail itself to me.

The trip was longer than Dr Frederick had realised. They went past the market and a street with huge houses. When they got into the fields that stretched past Dr Frederick’s eyesight, he realised he had slept for far longer than he thought. After about an hour, they got back into familiar territory. The houses were petite with clean streets and a typical uncrowdedness.

Strabolgi.

Just as they were going past a huge tree between two houses, Dr Frederick heard a voice that reminded him of someone.

Lady Helena Sinclair.

“Driver, please stop,” he said.

“Yes, sir,” the driver replied.

Dr Frederick looked at the tree and saw a coach had stopped beside it. There was a couple under the tree, completely engrossed in each other’s attention. Dr Frederick felt the cold bite of jealousy, but he was determined to confirm if it was the fair lady or not. When she finally looked up, he realised why the voice had reminded him of the woman who he met once but who had become a persistent reminder of his manliness.

“Dr Frederick,” the young woman said as she saw him. She excused herself from the ministrations of the young man she had been talking to and walked to the carriage.

It was Miss Helena’s friend, the woman Dr Frederick had seen beside Miss Helena.

“Good afternoon, my fair lady. I had to halt the driver because I just knew I recognised that voice,” Dr Frederick said.

“Or you thought it was Miss Helena,” the lady said.

Dr Frederick smiled, but he knew his cheeks would redden and convert his smile into a blush.

The lady is blunt but correct.

“Please, you will forgive my manners, but I am not familiar with your name,” Dr Frederick said.

The man who the lady had left now stood up and drew closer. Dr Frederick saw him walk to them, confidently and with a straight gait. He was dressed in a shiny silver jacket and black breeches. Even his shoes were sparkly. Dr Frederick imagined that the lady would be very attracted to the young man.

“I’m Lavinia Audley, the last child of the Earl of Albemarle.”

Dr Frederick bent his head in a show of bowing and kissed her outstretched hand from the window.

“And I am Dr Frederick Cooper as you are aware, only son of a timber trader now living in Bolton. It’s far more interesting than being the child of peerage,” Dr Frederick said.

Lady Lavinia burst out laughing. Her male companion was now beside her, and she rested her hand on his shoulder as she laughed, using his shoulder as support.

“This is my friend. He is Prince Drew McCallister. He’s from Ireland,” Lady Lavinia said.

As she was saying that, she looked at Prince Drew and smiled. He smiled back.

There’s something between these two.