Page 76 of Unchaining the Heart of the Marquess
“Rick will do.” Both men smiled at each other and returned to the conversation at hand. “So shipping then?”
Frederick nodded his head, filled with genuine excitement for the first time in a long time. “Yes, shipping.”
“How can a man turn down the opportunity to frequent the Sorrento Coast,” Buckworth remarked grinning, “or to have a man such as you for a partner.”
“Excellent!” Frederick exclaimed, the stress and tension of the last months melting away with every moment that passed. He had a long road ahead of him in coming to terms with all that had been revealed, but for the moment he was happy to concentrate on more fulfilling, peaceful thoughts. “Now, Father, I will understand if you wish to have no part in this, but I would be greatly pleased if you decided to join me.”
A look of pleasant surprise crossed the Duke’s face. Frederick knew that his mother’s deception had hurt his father deeply. He hoped that this venture would aid in all of their recoveries by bringing them together in a common cause. “I would be honored, my son.”
“Is there a place in this venture for me?” Josephine’s voice asked from the dining room entranceway. She was standing, propped on the arm of one of the maids.
“Jo! What are you doing? You should be in bed recovering!” Frederick rushed to his feet and walked over to take her arm and aid her in taking a seat at the table.
“I have spent enough time in that bed, thank you very much, and I do not intend to spend another moment if I have any say in the matter at all,” she firmly retorted, accepting his offer of assistance.
“You were nearly on death’s door according to the doctor,” Frederick protested.
“I have been there before, remember,” Josephine replied, squeezing his arm. “I have no intentions of surrendering so easily.”
“I will never forget. It is glad I am that you have the heart of the fiercest of warriors,” Frederick murmured sincerely, looking down into the eyes he loved so much. He could not bear the idea of never seeing them sparkle with such fiery life as they did smiling up at him.
She lowered herself down into the chair beside Frederick’s and greeted everyone at the table. The Duchess looked as if she had bit into a rotten apple, but she remained silent. As a maid, it was unthinkable that she should dine with nobility in such a manner, but Frederick did not care. His mother would have to get used to seeing Josephine at the table for every meal if he had anything to say about it.
Mr. Johnson entered the room bearing a platter of sausages and black pudding. “Mr. Johnson, if you would be so kind as to bring another plate for Miss Merton?”
“Certainly, My Lord.”
Frederick was fairly certain that his mother was close to biting her tongue off; she was pressing her lips together so tightly to keep from speaking her objections. He hated to admit it, but he found some humor in her discomfort. After everything she had put them through, he supposed it was somewhat natural to feel such things, but he hoped that it would pass. To his mind, finding pleasure in another person’s discomfort was most ungentlemanly behavior, behavior he was not proud of.
At least she is not storming from the room in a show of her disapproval. That is progress.He smiled at the thought that someday they would be able to move past the petty prejudices of class and simply be family.If she can accept me as her son in spite of blood, then there is hope for us all yet.Frederick was proud of his father for letting go of his prejudices and choosing to see the situation through the eyes of love and not hatred. He sincerely hoped that the Evans family would be able to do the same in spite of the injustice done to them.
“What do you have planned for the day?” Josephine asked.
“Today we will be paying a visit to the Evans brothers. There is atonement to be done there,” Frederick answered softly so that they would not be overheard by Mr. Johnson who had returned with the requested plate.
“Indeed. I am glad that your mother is willing to do so after everything that has transpired.”
“It is the only way that healing can begin,” Frederick shrugged his shoulders to indicate that there was no other course but forward.
“You are a good man, Frederick Hadley,” Josephine praised, laying her hand on his arm.
“I am genuinely glad that you think so, Jo. It means everything to me.”
“Always, Rick. Never doubt it for a moment.”
“When I get back, I would very much like to talk with you about something important,” Frederick informed her, his stomach a pit of nerves as he spoke. “Will you still be here now that you are up and about?”
“Yes, I will be here. We can speak upon your return. I have something to say to you as well. We were unable to finish our conversation from before as it was interrupted.”
“Yes, it was. Shall I postpone my trip to the Evans’?”
“No, of course not. What you are doing is far more important. What I have to say can wait. I am not going anywhere.”
Frederick smiled. “I will hold you to that.”
The mischievous sparkle in her eyes gave him hope that all was not lost, that perhaps there was still a chance for him in her affections. “I hope that you do.”
Chapter 36
