Page 11 of The Virgin Duchess (Unwanted Brides #2)

Chapter Eight

T he cobblestones rocked the carriage, making his head throb. Frederick would be working his way up to a fearsome migraine at this rate. He’d made no progress, absolutely nothing, and every jostle that tossed him into the wall of the interior incited more rage.

“Can you please get me to the estate any quicker!” he called out to the tiger.

“We shall be arriving now, sir!”

Oh, thank God.

Not long after that, Frederick stepped down from the carriage, which was situated farther back from the entrance than usual. Looking around, he noticed that another carriage was sitting just in front of the estate. He’d left it there for Charlotte’s convenience, and this meant that she had not used it yet.

Just as he was about to walk up the stairs, Charlotte rushed down from the front door and practically leaped into the other carriage. She didn’t even notice his own—or him, for that matter—and the tiger there hurried the horses into a gallop.

You don’t do such things unless it is an emergency.

Frederick’s stomach worked itself into knots, and before he could give it much thought, he ducked back inside his own carriage and called out to the driver.

“Follow her!”

There was no hesitation, and his ride was off as quickly as a bolt of lightning. The thumping in his chest matched the beat of the horses’ hooves on the road, and Frederick perched on the edge of his seat.

What had his wife gotten involved with? There had to be a very pressing reason that she tore out of the estate like that. Unbidden, his mind turned to the jest he’d made the other day about the letters. Frederick had insinuated, well accused, Charlotte of having a lover. But now…

Was it possible that he was right? Was she tearing off into the night because her beau required her so ardently? The notion made nausea pool in Frederick’s gut, and he couldn’t quite understand why. He’d hardly gotten involved with Charlotte because of their mutual affection.

A lover? No, it can’t be that. Charlotte was too…inexperienced, too easy to affect with each slight tease and taunt .

The carriage turned right, proceeding down the narrow streets that led farther into London and the less affluent areas at that. It occurred to him as they zipped past building after building that Frederick had promised not to interfere with Charlotte’s dealings. Could this be considered an interference?

“I will remain distant. I shall not approach.”

Frederick nodded to himself. He could hold himself to that. He simply needed to know where she was going. The curiosity, the concern, filled him like the most intoxicating of liquors. Particularly since this outing was being done so late and so suddenly. Charlotte had agreed to their second night together, and this was going against that word.

He had no desire to punish her for it or anything of the sort. Still, it was intriguing that Charlotte was wrapped up in something so thoroughly that it could pull her from her life at a moment’s notice.

After a few more blocks, the neighborhood around him getting far more derelict, Frederick saw Charlotte’s carriage pull to a stop in front of a house. Watching from the window for the entire drive, he ducked low as she hurried out and ran up to the door. There was nothing to go on after that. He didn’t recognize the house, and she didn’t come back out after several minutes.

I…I must. I simply must.

Getting out of the carriage, Frederick approached the door cautiously, looking around him into the shadows for any sign of foul play. While he would never assume that Charlotte was up to something, it was possible to threaten anyone. If her fleeing was the work of the Baron, he would be very put out.

There was nothing.

He steadied himself with a deep breath and then knocked on the door. It took a moment or two for someone to answer, but when the door opened, Frederick was shocked to find an unfamiliar woman in poor health standing on the other side of the threshold.

“Is there something I can do to help you, sir?”

The woman was a bit older, perhaps a few years his senior, and she was flushed as if feverish. There was a gauntness to her features, and while Frederick was undoubtedly not na?ve in the ways of the world, it still struck him to see someone living with such meager means.

“Frederick?”

Charlotte’s voice came from just past the woman, and he looked over the resident’s shoulder to see his wife holding a child’s hand. The child looked to be about nine or ten, and the Duchess was utterly shocked to see him.

“Frederick?” The other woman said, her brow furrowing before it abruptly relaxed, and an air of hope crossed her face. “You told your husband about us?”

He could hear that lifted intonation that suggested the woman wanted Charlotte to have told him. Intriguing, indeed .

Looking between the two of them, Charlotte’s expression didn’t go unnoticed either. She looked pained, forced on the spot to make a decision. After a moment, she patted the child’s hand with a gentle smile and stepped forward.

Nodding, Charlotte put her hand on the woman’s shoulder. “I did. It is possible that Frederick can help. Though, I will admit I am surprised to see him here.”

“Please,” The woman’s voice was distinctly higher, excitement lacing it, “come in, Your Grace.”

Frederick nodded respectfully and stepped inside. Down the short hall that stretched away from the front entrance, Charlotte stood waiting for him. When the door closed behind him, he was led by his wife to a tiny kitchen at the back of the small home. It was exceptionally modest, as he expected. As soon as they were inside, the older woman sat down at the table. She looked exhausted.

“Frederick, I’d like you to me Ms. Cordelia Wood and her daughter, Kitty. My half-sister.”

His wife eyed him sternly, waiting for his reaction. Frederick swallowed, dropping his eyes to the young child for a moment. She looked quite similar to her half-sister, and he nodded slowly, putting the pieces together.

The woman must have been her father’s mistress. This is where Charlotte has been going .

When all Frederick did was smile, holding the space for Charlotte to fill in the blanks, she relaxed some.

“Cordelia was involved with my father. She was our maid.” The women exchanged glances, holding so much silent remorse that it made Frederick’s chest pinch. “My father…had a way about himself. I’d like to say that it was just Cordelia, but that would be a lie.”

“Charlotte,” Cordelia held her hand, offering a sympathetic smile, “don’t beat yourself up. You were not the cause of my sorrowful luck. And I take plenty of responsibility for that myself, as well.”

Pulling out the fourth chair from the table, the only one left unoccupied, Frederick sat down.

“What happened?”

He let his tone ring gently, tilting his head as he made sure to put forth a look of genuine curiosity, not some fascination that he would use for gossip.

Cordelia looked over at Kitty. “He was a charming man, swindled me right out of my virtue, and I paid the price for it. I learned I was pregnant only after Kitty was born. I’d never looked to interfere with his life, but living alone with the truth was too great a task for me. I told Charlotte and Magnus about the situation. And His Grace agreed to provide assistance for me and Kitty while remaining quiet about the truth.”

He looked over toward his wife, squinting slightly as he silently told her he understood her late-night escapades now.

“I see.” Frederick held out his hand. “Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, Cordelia.”

Smiling at the young girl, he extended it again. “And you, Kitty. You look quite like your older sister.”

Palpable relief washed over Charlotte, loudly enough that Frederick could practically hear her muscles unclench. Cordelia also appeared to relax before yanking a handkerchief from her apron pocket and coughing into it.

“And it seems you are unwell, Cordelia.” Frederick turned to Charlotte. “Is this why you left so quickly?”

She nodded. “I got word that influenza had taken Cordelia again, and I knew how badly it had been for her the last time. I didn’t want her to remain feverish.”

“Hmm, very true. It does not do well to stay so for long. Perhaps I can have my physician come over to take a look at you. He can provide enhanced care and see to Kitty’s health as well.”

Cordelia’s jaw dropped slightly as a little gasp whispered out. “Truly? You would do that for us?”

“Of course. What kind of gentleman would I be if I were to let you suffer? You are extended family. I will do whatever I can to help.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Cordelia looked beyond thrilled, but when Frederick glanced at Charlotte, her expression poorly hid a deep fury burning in her eyes. Her brows were knitted together with concern, and it took Cordelia putting her hand on Charlotte’s arm for his wife’s countenance to soften.

Why on earth is she upset? Shouldn’t she be happy that a physician is coming?

There were more than a few remaining questions, and Frederick didn’t want either of them to be in the house for much longer. Influenza could be quite contagious, and they were not taking the proper precautions.

“Charlotte,” she perked up, glancing at him with her brows raised, “I believe it is time for us to be going. But I will be sure to have my physician come over as quickly as possible.”

Swallowing, his wife regarded him but then stood up from the table, embracing each Cordelia and Kitty in turn. Frederick allowed Cordelia to show them out, and he helped Charlotte into the carriage.

This shall be a fascinating return journey home.