Page 63 of Lord of Mischief
A steady stream of carriages and people passed by the house.The social set of London were moving to their next place of entertainment for the evening.Many a night, she herself would be getting ready to join the throng of late-night partygoers, but tonight she was glad to be staying home.
Her mood had shifted from one of light-hearted frivolity over the news of Hattie and Will’s baby to that of deep reflection.
Freddie’s move in the world was most unexpected.She thought he would continue to remain outside her sphere until at least his father restored him to favor.
While Hattie did see the good in all, and held a life mission in saving others, she was not blind.If Freddie had thought to pull the wool over Hattie’s eyes, he would have discovered by now that she was no man’s fool.Will, too, had a sharp mind.If he thought Freddie was attempting any sort of play in regard to his sister, he would have added to Francis’s facial handiwork and swiftly shown Freddie the door.
What are you playing at?
She wiped away a tear, disappointed to discover he could still make her cry.There was only one thing she was sure of at this moment, and that was that she had to move on from him.To find a way to accept the scars which were now imprinted on her heart and find new love.
She had learned some hard lessons from having her heart so cruelly broken, lessons she intended to put to good use.But before she could seek out a new life partner, there was still the question of Freddie.
They had not crossed paths since the night Francis had taken to Freddie with his fists.At the time, her anger toward him had been too raw for her to consider how future encounters would go.Membership of thetonwasn’t so large that she could spend the rest of her life moving within its circles and be assured never to set eyes on him again.
She let out a soft sigh of resignation.There was only one thing to do.Hard as it might be, she had to meet with Freddie.She still didn’t understand why he had thrown her over.If he had never wanted to marry her, then why had he toyed with her so cruelly?
“And why would you have told Hattie that you loved me?”she whispered.
If nothing else came from seeing Freddie she could at least have some of the questions in her mind answered.An understanding of his actions would allow her to begin to heal the hurt.
If he didn’t want her, she could close that chapter of her life and begin again.
But what if he does? Can I risk my heart once more?
