Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

" W ell, that is certainly a new development," Frederick remarked as he trailed after John.

"Last I heard," Frederick continued, "Ridgewell was fleeing your auntie's estate with his tail tucked between his legs, licking his wounds because you had effectively stolen his bride right out from underneath his nose."

"What is he doing here?" John snarled.

Frederick waved a hand airily over his shoulder, indicating the room they had all just vacated after only being there for a moment. "Seems to me that he is taking his time, whispering sweet words to Lady Frontershire, making sure she knows just how fiendish you really are."

John gave Frederick a cross look. "If I told you that you were not helping right now, would that stop you from continuing with your summation of events?"

As he brushed a hand through his fluffy blonde locks which had been wind-whipped during their ride, Frederick snickered merrily. "You must try to find the joy in this occurrence."

"Joy?"

Frederick nodded. "You did not want to wed a lady who would rely upon you for entertainment or affection. She was to warm your bed when you requested and raise your many impish children."

"Do you have a point?" John sneered.

"Only this," Frederick returned in a bright, chipper tone, "if all you want from Lady Frontershire is to see her perform her wifely duties, then you should not be affronted because she has decided to pursue a friendship with Lord Ridgewell. The two might spend all day and night together while you…"

"Enough," John barked which only made Frederick laugh loudly.

"Why are you bent out of shape, my friend? Have you decided that you want more from your marriage? Do you want the marchioness to devote all her attention to you and you alone? Or…" He pulled the word out long, teasingly, "do you feel a twinge of jealousy upon seeing her with another man?"

"I feel…nothing," John retorted.

"Ha!" Frederick laughed. "But that is impossible." John exhaled deeply - as he skulked down the hall, with Frederick tagging along behind. "But where are you going?" he shouted as they reached the doors that would lead outside. "Do you not wish to hurry back to the drawing room and continue your conversation with Lord Ridgewell?"

"I should sooner welcome the rapture."

Frederick snickered. "So dark, my friend. Hardly becoming talk for a man who was so recently married to such a lovely lady."

"A lovely lady who is being made love to by another whilst I am out riding with my friend."

Frederick rolled his eyes. "To be fair, I do not think Lord Ridgewell was attempting to woo Lady Frontershire. It seemed to me that he was merely making his sentiments known and encouraging her to…"

"I know what he was doing," John snapped.

Stepping outdoors, John lifted his head and inhaled deeply the warm afternoon air.

"If I might make an observation…" Frederick said as he tripped along at John's side.

"Go on."

"Your wife is bound to make friends wherever she goes. She has a lively spirit and engages in intelligent conversation. When you take her to town as the next Season begins, she will surely attract the attention of both male and female admirers."

John shook his head. "Olivia does not desire the adulation of others. She infinitely prefers to be left alone with her books, and she does not think much of the members of the ton."

Frederick scoffed. "All women like to feel appreciated. And if you are resolutely keeping your distance from her, ignoring her presence then…"

"Who said I was ignoring my wife?"

Frederick stopped walking abruptly, and when John turned to see why his companion had halted, he saw that he was being fixed with a knowing stare. "I know you are ignoring your wife because instead of spending this afternoon tumbling through the sheets with her, you were out riding with me, and she was having a pleasant discourse with Lord Ridgewell." He stepped closer to John and lowered his voice. "What has happened to separate you from your wife? Is this simply a matter of establishing boundaries so that you guarantee your marriage will be no more than a business arrangement or…"

"She asked me about Percy," John whispered.

"Did she?" Frederick's fair eyebrows rose slightly, quirking together and showing his surprise. "And what did you tell her?"

"What could I say?" John retorted.

Frederick frowned. "Does that mean you said nothing at all?"

Annoyed, John gave a forceful shake of his head. "I told her to leave the topic alone, but when she persisted, I…"

Scoffing loudly, Frederick held up both hands to stop John's rambling. "If you wanted to marry a pretty little doll, one who would never ask you questions or wish to know more about your personal affairs, you should not have pursued Lady Frontershire."

"I did not pursue Olivia," John argued.

"You certainly did," Frederick rejoined. "From the moment you told me you meant to stay well clear of her path, you continually threw yourself in her way, taking every opportunity to lock yourself in the library with her and…"

"You know I was not responsible for that mishap," John grunted. "It was revealed that Lady Emerton was behind all that and…"

"Did Lady Emerton tell you to kiss Lady Olivia? Did she urge you to nibble on her neck and lower her collar?"

When John said nothing, Frederick nodded in that same all-knowing fashion. "I might not have popped into the library and caught the two of you in the act, but many others did, and I heard the whispers the very next day." Frederick crossed his arms over his chest. "You may deny or place blame wherever else you like, but you allowed your attraction for Lady Olivia to lead you both down this path. And if you are not careful, she will…"

"Will what?" John demanded when his friend refused to elaborate.

Frederick uncrossed his arms quickly and held up his palms, making a gesture as if he was pulling his hands away from a blazing fire. "It is not for me to say what will happen next between you and the marchioness. But you should answer her questions. You should talk to her and share your life, as well as your past, with her. For if you cannot say all those things which weigh heavily upon your heart to your wife, what good is there in taking a bride?"

John shook his head and snorted. "I thought that's why you had come to stay… You were to be my confidant."

His words were greeted by a hearty laugh from Frederick. "I will listen to you, John…always. I plan to stay in your home as your guest, but even I know I cannot provide the comfort or support your wife can. She vowed to stand next to you through good times and bad. Should you not give her the chance to demonstrate her resiliency?"