Page 7 of The Commoner Who Stole Her Heart
Passing amidst bowing servants, Robert’s gaze chanced upon that of a tall footman who met his glance in a manner that made the hackles on Robert’s neck stand up. He could not identify exactly why the servant’s green eyes bothered him so, nor did the man’s respectful bow hold any answers. But whatever the reason, Robert kept a watch on him until he passed out of sight.
“Who is that footman?” Robert asked.
Freddie’s brows shot up. “You may have to be a shade clearer, my friend. I have only a hundred of them in my employ.”
“Unmistakable in my opinion,” Robert replied. “He has brilliant green eyes.”
“Ah, that one.” Freddie dipped his chin, his lips quirked upward. “He saved Thea’s life last night. His name is Liam Carter.”
“A commonfootmansaved her?”
“Indeed, yes.”
Seated in a comfortable armchair in front of a blazing hearth fire, Robert eyed Freddie sidelong as a footman, not the one with the green eyes, poured them both a brandy. Once the servant stepped aside to offer them privacy, Robert said, “All right. Out with it. What happened to Thea?”
Freddie swirled his drink around his snifter. “She fell into the lake by all accounts,” he replied, taking a sip. “She leaned against a post and it gave way. She was drowning, Robert. She came this close to dying.”
Freddie lifted his hand, his thumb, and forefinger apart by a mere fraction of an inch. “If Carter had not been nearby and pulled her from the water, she would be dead now.”
“I see,” Robert remarked, still wondering what it was about the man that alarmed him so. “Naturally, I am very grateful to him. But why are you insisting she remain in bed? I had so hoped I would see her on this visit.”
“Call it being an overprotective brother,” Freddie answered, his eyes examining his brandy. “No, I fear she should refrain from any visitors at the moment. Perhaps next time.”
“Very well.” Robert sat back in his chair, comfortable and feeling lazy. “You know of my affection for her. I trust you will send her my regards?”
“Of course.”
Robert raised his own snifter and squinted at the liquor. “Speaking of my affection for Thea,” he said, enjoying the moment of his triumph. “I wish to have your blessing to marry her.”
Freddie stared at the fire without speaking. Robert lowered his glass, confused by his host’s noncommittal behavior. A small tingle of worry worked its way into his stomach to join the brandy. “Freddie? Surely you will agree that I may marry your sister?”
Alarmingly, Freddie shook his head, still not meeting Robert’s gaze. “I cannot do that, Robert. I gave her my word.”
“What word?”
With a deeply fetched sigh, Freddie stirred, taking his lingering gaze from the fire at last. “I gave her my word that she will have a say in choosing her husband. I fear, my old friend, she does not wish to marry you.”
Instantly, rage roared through Robert’s veins. He broke into a heavy sweat, his fingers tightened on his snifter, almost hard enough to shatter the glass into splinters. He relaxed them just short of implosion, trying to get his fury under control before Freddie noticed it. Breathing in and out, silent, his face turned away toward the fire, he flexed his jaw, loosening it.
“I see,” he said, hoping his voice sounded normal.
From the corner of his eye, he observed Freddie glance toward him, then away again.Perhaps he had not noticed anything unusual.Focusing on reining in his anger, he barely heard what Freddie said. “Er, pardon me, old chap. What did you say?”
“I apologized,” Freddie answered. “I know you have your heart set on marrying Thea, and I also understand it would be a wonderful match. But my sister has her heart set on marrying for love.”
The idiot should have nothing to say about it at all. It is not a woman’s place to select a husband.
“That is not practical, Freddie,” Robert said, keeping his tone cool and unruffled. “Love should not matter when discussing such marriages. Besides, you know how I adore Thea.”
Freddie’s lips turned upward. “And I am quite grateful for it, Robert, truly I am. Please understand, Thea is my only family now. I love her enough to want only her happiness.”
Robert leaned forward. “I can, and will, make her happy. I would devote my entire life to that end. But I cannot do so without marrying her.”
Still smiling, Freddie shook his head. “I am planning to host a party, you are invited, of course, to permit Thea to meet potential suitors. While I will certainly guide her in her decision-making process, I must, and will, stand by the choice she makes.”
“Even if that choice is not me.”
“I am sorry, old friend. I will not compel my sister to marry against her will.”
