Page 29 of The Virgin Duchess (Unwanted Brides #2)
Chapter Twenty-Six
R iding with Charlotte to the garden party at Selina’s estate was quite the drive. She had been dressed so beautifully that he was hardly able to keep his hands from seeking out her soft curves, placing delicate kisses on her neck and cheek at every moment possible.
“Frederick!” She swatted at him. “We are to attend this party looking presentable. If you continue to ply your affections all over me, you’ll rumble my gown.”
He chuckled, utterly uncaring about the wrinkles Charlotte’s dress might sustain. Still, he backed away, giving her a modicum of space. However, he would admit to enjoying the delicious blush on her skin too much to stay gone for long.
As they rounded a corner, the coach came to a stop, and the tiger called out that they had arrived. He waited for his door to be opened, and then Frederick was quick to make it around to Charlotte’s, pulling the panel wide and offering his hand so that she could step down.
“Thank you.” She met him on the street, taking his arm so that she could maneuver around a small puddle from this afternoon’s rain. “Now, I expect you to behave yourself.”
Frederick smirked down at her. “I shall try most ardently, dearest.”
They walked together into the party, greeted at once by the hearty laughter of their friends. Richard spotted them first, and he held up a hand as they crossed the long foyer into the exceedingly vast entertaining room near the front of Selina’s estate. Charlotte hurried over to Amelia, embracing her before hovering her lips in the air above either cheek. Selina was next and then a tense good evening was paid to her brother.
Tension crawled along Frederick’s spine. He didn’t think well about how this sat between the siblings. As Rose approached from the side, having left just a few minutes before them in her own carriage, Frederick shook the unhappy thoughts away, meaning to keep his promise to be a comfort to his own sister.
“You’ve made it at last!” Rose joked, and Frederick did his best to school his expression, not letting on that there had been a few distractions keeping him from leaving the estate—distractions that currently rested inside the tight stays his wife wore.
“It’s good to see you, Frederick.” Richard walked to him, clapping him on the shoulder. “I trust that you are well?”
The secret conversation between them took place in an instant. Frederick was subtle with how he shook his head, letting his dear friend know that there was no sign of the Baron yet.
“I am. Though business tends to be slow as of late.”
“I am sure it will pick up, Frederick. Have no doubt.” Ever the confident man.
“Enough talk of business,” Amelia added. “We are here to enjoy each other’s company, and if I am forced to listen to my dear husband go on about trading rates for much longer, I shall lose my mind.”
They all laughed, and in moments, they were speaking comfortably—not about business—as they walked to the back of Selina’s estate to enjoy the lush garden. It was not as enormous as Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, but Selina’s home greenery was fine indeed. There was a lovely array of trees growing around the edges, which provided privacy and shade during the day, and several perfectly trimmed topiary bushes in various geometric shapes.
Refreshments were served by attendants who circled through the grounds carrying trays of cocktails and small bites of food, cheeses, pastries, and cold meats. Even a few delicate servings of hors d’oeuvres were served with perfectly crafted layers of delicious ingredients and seasonal jams.
All was going swimmingly until Charlotte approached him from having spoken with Amelia, looking as concerned as ever.
“Charlotte?” Frederick stepped up to her, taking his wife’s elbow. “Are you quite well, dear?”
“I’m afraid I’m not feeling quite right. Would you mind terribly if I asked you to retrieve the carriage so that we might return home?”
His stomach clenched. Charlotte not feeling well did not sit with him. She had not the assumption of being with child to dissuade him of his concerns. They had still not taken their engagements to that level, and he worried over her health. Charlotte spent a great deal of time with Cordelia, and while he fully supported that, it was possible for her to have contracted something while there.
“Of course, allow me a moment to fetch Rose so that we can return at once.”
Charlotte nodded, her eyes still worried and looking quite exhausted.
Locating his sister proved to be a challenge, and Frederick’s worry grew more and more with each second. Charlotte remained by the door, tucking herself away and simply waiting for when they could retire home. Rose, of course, was deep in conversation with Selina, so when Frederick approached the two of them, it took several moments for him to get in a word.
“I do quite love visiting the museums where there is the time. I have heard that a wonderful new exhibition is going to be brought up of new items from an Egyptian dig site. How exciting, don’t you think?”
Selina immediately replied, leaving Frederick no chance to get his sister’s attention.
“I do, though I certainly hope that dear Ethel will be well enough to return to the city to see it before it leaves. She’s so fond of things like that, and I am still furious that she went and decided to get sick so that we could not partake in this Season’s events together.”
Rose scoffed as Frederick raised his finger, trying to speak up and failing miserably.
“I hardly think that Lady Ethel allowed herself to become ill. She wouldn’t have wanted to miss such a display if she is truly one to appreciate antiquities.”
“She is!” Selina leaned forward, intensity in her gaze.
“Rose, do you think?—”
“Ethel has always been fascinated with such things, and she is always in a book in one fashion or another.” Selina sipped at her drink, and Frederick leaped at the chance to speak.
“Sister, I need to speak with you. Could you please?—”
“Just a moment, Frederick. I am speaking with Selina. Don’t you see?”
He glared at her, sighing as he reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Rose, I do not mean to interrupt, but Charlotte isn’t feeling well. We need to return home.”
Both Selina and Rose perked up at that, refocusing on Frederick’s words. Their conversation dropped.
“How terrible?” Selina said. “I do hope it is nothing serious. I should hate to have two ill friends.”
“Why didn’t you say something sooner, Brother?” Rose put her hand to her chest, her expression worried. “My goodness.”
Frederick couldn’t stop the annoyance that flared, likely reflected in his features. “I did try to say something. The two of you can truly get going when it comes to conversation.”
Rose wore a sheepish smile, bowing her head in a gentle nod. “Apologies, Frederick. Though…”
There was a pause, and he raised his brows at her, waiting for Rose to fill in the missing piece of her sentence.
“What? We need to get going, Rose. I hate to dally much longer.”
“It is only that…I have been enjoying myself so much, Frederick. I have left the estate so seldom as of late. These past few events have been the delight I’ve needed. Would you mind terribly if I stayed? I am sure someone would lend a coach to ferry me home when the evening ends.”
Frederick was a bit shocked. Rose hardly ever wished to be out in society without him nearby. She was not a naturally extroverted girl, and while it had been better since their secret about the Baron had been revealed to Charlotte, not everyone knew that truth.
“Leave you alone without an escort home? Rose, I am not sure if that’s wise. You have not been to one of these parties in some time and never without a chaperone.”
Putting her hand on his shoulder, Rose looked up at him, craning her head back slightly as she put on a frown.
“Please, dear brother. We are among friends. This is hardly a gaming hell or public house. I am amongst people we trust. Surely, if I were ever to be able to experience a night on my own, this would be the safest time to do it.”
He was torn. Frederick did want Rose to experience life, to make her own friends, and enjoy time spent out of the confines of her room where she’d locked herself up for so long. But his wife required care, and the thought of leaving Rose with no one didn’t sit well with him.
“I would be happy to remain with her, Frederick.” Selina offered, and from behind her, Richard and Amelia approached.
“Charlotte said she was not feeling well,” Amelia offered. “I do hope she is not too poor off.”
“Yes,” Frederick nodded, squeezing the walking stick he’d brought with him this evening as a fashionable accessory, “indeed. I wish to take her home. We are sorry to cut the evening short. Still…”
He looked over at Rose, her eyes begging him for the chance to stay.
“Rose here wishes to remain. I would appreciate it if?—”
“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 who was 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.