The Duke’s Truth: Heirs of London Book Four by Alec Joyce

Author:Alec, Joyce
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-10T00:00:00+00:00

8

“How are you this evening, Louisa?”

It would be foolishness itself to lie when Louisa knew that her face was pale and drawn and that there was no color in her cheeks.

“I am nervous, Lady Frederica,” she acknowledged as her charge nodded in gentle understanding. “The soiree will go very well indeed, but I find that I am somewhat troubled by the thought that the rumors about me will make your situation rather difficult.”

Lady Frederica waved a hand in dismissal. “I will be all right,” she said firmly. “It is not as though I am required to wed this Season, and given that by next summer, there will be a whole host of other whispers and gossip, I am certain that everyone will have forgotten about you entirely.”

Louisa knew that this was meant to be encouraging, but she wished desperately that she could do something that would mean Lady Frederica was not affected by these rumors at all. And yet, given what both she and the duke had said, it appeared that they were both determined to keep her both in London and by their side, refusing to step away from her when even she thought it best that they did so.

“And you must call me simply ‘Frederica’,” her charge continued. “I know I have taken something of a liberty in calling you ‘Louisa’, but I feel as though we have become much more closely acquainted these last few days.” She smiled at Louisa, who, despite her anxiety, could not help but smile back at her. “Although if I am taking liberties, then you must dissuade me of the thought at once.”

“No, indeed, I shall not do so,” Louisa replied, reaching to take Frederica’s hand. “You have been a stalwart, Lady Frederica. It is not every young lady who would show such determination and strength of character when faced with something like this.” She let go of Lady Frederica’s hand and then turned back to glance at her reflection in the mirror one last time, reminding herself silently to pinch her cheeks before she stepped into Lord Whitehall’s townhouse.

“That is kind of you to say,” Lady Frederica replied quietly. “But you think too little of yourself, Louisa. You are not just my companion. You have become my friend and someone that I value greatly. I could not bear to allow those rumors to push you not only from London but far from me also. If such a thing occurred, then I do not think I would ever see you again, and that would tear my heart terribly.”

“And mine,” Louisa agreed softly. “I have always been quite determined that I shall see you happily wed, Frederica, but I fear now that I might be the cause of difficulties in that.”

Lady Frederica shook her head firmly. “It shall not be so,” she said resolutely. “I shall be very happily wed when the time comes. As I have said, I am to give no real consideration to such a thing this Season, and by next year, I am certain that all will have been forgotten.

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