Page 75 of Unchaining the Heart of the Marquess
“That and so much more.”
Frederick left his mother alone in thought and headed for Josephine’s recovery room. When he entered, he found her asleep once more, but this time did not wake her. Dusk had begun to fall, so he sat down in the chair beside the bed and propped his feet up on its edge. Leaning his head back he studied her sleeping features, tracing every line, committing it to memory. He did not want to forget a single detail if she rejected his proposal once more and left him for good.
Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to drift off to sleep. The events of the day had been draining, and he would need his rest if he were to face the day to come. It would not be easy for his mother to face Sarah’s family or to apologize. She had been the one in the wrong, but it went against everything that she had been taught for a noblewoman to apologize to the peasantry. In spite of how uncomfortable it made her, she would do it for Frederick.
He would also need his rest to face Josephine. He would need all of the courage he could get to face the possibility of her rejecting him a second time. With everything that had happened he feared it might break him, but it was worth the risk.She is worth the risk.That night, he dreamed of the ghost of Sarah Evans; he dreamed of his mother.
* * *
The next morning, Frederick awoke to find Josephine’s hand resting upon his own. She was still sound asleep, her chest gently rising and falling with each breath. He smiled at the sight.
If I were to wake up to her beautiful face every morning for the remainder of my days, I would want for nothing else.
He attempted to sit up in the chair without disturbing her, but when he moved, she moaned softly and rolled over. leaving his hand behind. He regretted the loss of its warmth but knew it could not have remained there forever.
Standing, he left the room for his own bedchamber to ready himself for the day to come. Today was the day his mother would make reparations to the Tatham and Evans families. Frederick had been thinking of a way to include his new found family into his life without revealing the secret of his birth. It was not an easy task, and every solution he had thought of included them working for him in some form of service or another, but in truth, neither estate needed more men.
The solution had come to him in the middle of the night. It was something that he had been thinking about since his time on the Italian peninsula, but he had not had the time or mental energy to set it into action. Now that the secret was out and the threat to his family had passed, Frederick would return to his duties as Marquess of Pentford. Knowing the story of his birth had made him all the more committed to setting a plan that would benefit the entire community into motion.
Bella Italia,he smiled to himself.‘Tis she who holds the key.
Once he was dressed, he went downstairs to meet his mother in the dining room. “I have a plan,” he informed his parents, “that I believe will help everyone.”
“Oh?” the Duke inquired, raising his brow.
Lt. Buckworth entered the room and came to sit beside him. “This affects you too, Buckworth, if you wish it.”
“I am listening,” he answered, his curiosity peaked.
“I have been attempting to think of a way to allow both families to be a part of my life without drawing attention to it being a familial connection. Neither estate needs more servants to tend to our needs, and I am not certain that I would feel at all comfortable with that situation.”
“I can understand that,” the Duke nodded his head. “I am not at all certain what to do about Devon Tatham after all that has transpired.”
“And rightly so,” Frederick agreed, “but I do not wish for him to leave permanently either. I feel I owe it to him and to myself to get to know him as more than just my friend, the stableman.”
“As is also right,” the Duke nodded again, a sad but resigned look upon his face.
“I have decided to go into shipping, and I would like to put Tatham’s naval experience to good use.”
“Shipping? What had brought this about?” the Duke asked confused.
“Yes, the idea came to me when we were boarding the ship in Naples to return to England. Sorrento offers a wealth of opportunity for the enterprising mind. The lemons there are unlike any other in the world. They are crated in intricate designs of wood inlay that appeal to the senses in every way. When we were aboard the ship, I spoke with the captain about Italian trade goods, and there is a high demand for certain items that would make it well worth the risk of beginning a new venture.”
“It sounds interesting to be sure. What role would I play?” Buckworth asked, turning to face Frederick.
“I would like for you to help me run the operation. You have good judgement and a strong sense of honor. Characteristics I find to be invaluable in a business partner. It would also bring jobs to the community as I would only hire men from the area, including the Evans brothers if they so wished.”
“I am honored that you believe me to be worthy of such a position, My Lord.”
“I think it is long past time that we dispensed with the formalities, Lieutenant. From now on you may call me by my given name, if you prefer.”
“Very well, Freddie,” Buckworth chuckled.
“Freddie?” Frederick laughed.
“No, but I could not resist the moment of levity. Unfortunately, I do not know my Christian name, but the name I was given when I was taken was John.”
“Well, John, how about Rick?”
