Chapter 12

The next day, Lilian marched over to Frederic's office the second Anne finished dressing her. She didn't bother knocking, pushing inside without hesitation.

"I don't think we were quite finished talking last night," she declared.

Frederic raised an eyebrow, shutting the logbook he'd been working on. "And a lovely good morning to you as well."

She rolled her eyes. "I mean it, I think we need to talk."

When he didn't reply, she sighed. "Very well, but understand, I'm not going anywhere until we talk."

He just hummed, turning back to his books.

She glared. Lilian's eyes searched the room before landing on a pair of wingback chairs near the fireplace. She stared him down as she pulled one in front of his desk, the loud scraping across the wooden floor ringing out in the room.

He didn't look up at her until she sat down, a smug look on her face. "Comfortable?" he asked.

"Quite. In fact, I could stay here all day if need be."

Frederic bit back a smile. "How nice of you to keep me company while I work."

Lilian scoffed, crossing her arms before softening. "Please talk to me. You said it's too dangerous. I know they had something to do with your brother's death, but I don't know what they did or even who they are. I need you to talk to me, please."

He shook his head. "There's no need to involve you in this."

"Frederic, I'm your wife, I'm already involved. All I'm asking is to know what I'm involved in. Can you please tell me that?"

He sighed, pushing his book away. "You really want to know? You want me to tell you what happened to Evan?"

She nodded. "I really do, but if it's too painful, I'd understand if you just tell me who those men are and what they do. I can fill in the gaps myself if I need to. All I need is a general idea."

"No, if I tell you, I'm telling you everything."

"Then, yes, I want to know. Please tell me."

He sighed. "Very well, but remember you asked to hear this." He took a deep breath and then spoke. "I was young when my father passed away and I inherited the dukedom. I had only just turned eighteen. Too young in retrospect. It took me a long time to become a duke my people and my family could be proud of. When I was still struggling, my brother, Evan, fell on hard times financially. I don't know exactly how it happened, and I can't say exactly what was going through his mind. I suspect he didn't want to create more work for me, the fool. All I do know for sure is what he did. He took out a loan with a gang. When he couldn't pay them back quick enough, they took their fee by taking his life."

"Goodness!" Lilian exclaimed, her eyes brimming with tears. "That's so horrible. I'm so sorry that happened."

"So, you can understand why my first and only priority is to get my revenge."

"Yes, I do believe I understand, and that's all the more reason I have to do what I can to help you."

"I don't like it. I can't guarantee your safety."

"Oh, husband, safety is the one thing in life no one can guarantee. Even if you do everything you can to protect me, who is to say I won't have apoplexy like my father or fall down the stairs one night or encounter any number of possible misfortunes?"

"Yes, but you can't pretend there isn't a difference between the general risks of life and putting yourself in harm's way."

"Frederic, it is good to see you trying to protect me, but I'm asking you to trust me. Let me help."

He sighed. "How about this, I'll let you come out with me one night this week, and we can see how it goes. If it goes well, we can discuss you continuing to help my investigation, but if it goes poorly, then that's it. I will talk to you about what happens, but you are not to ever follow me again."

She thought for a moment. "I believe that seems more than fair."

"Good, give me a few days to put everything together, and I will take you out."

"A few days! Why do you need so long?"

He raised an eyebrow. "So impatient. You are going to need to work on that if you intend to help me."

"I only meant, it sounds like you aren't taking me out on a pre-planned outing but making a special trip to pacify me."

"I am making a special trip. I need to ensure you can do this safely before I start letting you tag along whenever you like."

"Or you could just trust me."

He sighed. "So, what do you suggest?"

"If you're going out again tonight, just take me with you."

"I don't think that's wise."

"Why not? Where could you possibly be going?"

"I was planning on doing some general information gathering, mostly at local taverns. Hardly a place for a proper lady."

Lilian grinned. "I think it sounds exactly like the kind of place you should take me."

He scoffed. "Fine, if that's what you want. Do you have something appropriate to wear? Perhaps a silk ball gown with some Chantilly lace."

She snorted. "I'm sure I can find something, though I may need to make a quick trip to my family home."

"By all means."

And so, a short time later, she found herself knocking on the door of the Folleton estate.

A footman answered the door. "Your Grace, it is good to see you, but I'm sorry to say Lord and Lady Cooke are out for the day."

"That's all right." She did her best to hide her relief. "I'm actually here to see my brother. Is he in?"

"I do believe the young lord is in. Why don't you come into the parlor while I see if he can come down."

"Thank you."

Lilian made her way through the familiar halls to the parlor where she'd spent so much of her childhood.

It shouldn't be much of a surprise that not much had changed, but she'd thought something would be different.

After a few minutes, she heard Matthew's voice from the doorway. "We weren't expecting you, Sister. Mother and Father are out."

"I know. I hoped they would be. I'm here to see you."

"That doesn't sound good. What happened?"

"Nothing. Can't I just want to come by for a visit?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Did you?"

"Well, no."

He scoffed. "That's what I thought." He rolled his eyes, taking his seat. "So, what happened?"

"Nothing happened, I'm just planning a little outing and was hoping to get something of mine you might have." She gave him a meaningful look.

He shook his head. "I'm not giving that to you, so you can go out by yourself. You remember what happened last time."

"I won't be going out alone."

"Does Frederic know about this?"

"He's the one taking me."

"Then why can't he help you find something?"

"Because I want my dress. Did you already get rid of it or something?"

"No, I still have it. I just thought you'd want to keep it here just in case."

"In case of what?"

He shrugged. "You need to disappear into the night or something. I don't know. I just wanted to make sure you have an escape if you need it."

"Oh, Matthew." She gave him a sad smile. "It's sweet of you to worry about me, but you don't need to. We are taking steps to build a happy life together. I know it probably doesn't make much sense to you, but I think getting that dress is part of it."

He sighed. "All right, come with me. We can get it together."

Lilian's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Matthew. I'll owe you for this one."

"No, you won't. You can owe me for the next favor. This one is on the house."

"What makes you so sure there will be a next time?"

He scoffed as they made their way to his room. "Because I've known you long enough to know there is always a next time."

She scowled, following him down the hall. "You know, I'm a duchess now. You should really be nicer to me."

He laughed. "My apologies, Your Grace."

"That didn't sound very sincere."

"Whatever do you mean? I meant it from the deepest depths of my heart."

"I should hope you do. It would be most unseemly if you were jealous of my rank and title."

"Yes, that's what's happening. I'm horribly jealous of the title you received from your marriage."

"As you should be."

He handed her the bundle. "Here you are. I take it you are about to scamper off before Mother and Father return?"

"Yes, I don't want to have to explain what this is." She motioned to the bundle as she took it from his arms.

"Very well, but try not to be a stranger in the future."

Lilian rolled her eyes before making her way outside. She climbed in the waiting carriage and headed back to her new home.

As she drove, she marveled at the fact that Pembroke House was starting to feel like home, but she realized it truly had.

She couldn't help but wonder what Frederic would think if he knew.

When she got in, she expected to scurry off to her room until it was time to check in with Frederic, but as she walked, she ran into Louisa.

"Did your dress come in already!" Louisa gasped in shock.

Lilian's eyes darted to the bundle in her arms. "Not exactly. This is just one I forgot at my parents' house."

"Oh, did you have a nice visit with them?"

"They were out, actually. The only person I saw was my brother. He says they are doing well, though."

"That's good to hear. You'll have to make another trip or invite them to visit again soon. I'm sorry I wasn't up for company the last time they were here."

"It's all right." Lilian hesitated. "Forgive me for asking, but are you ill? I know when my father became ill, he wasn't always up for company."

Louisa smiled. "Not physically. It's my spirit. I'm afraid I never quite recovered after… well, after everything. The doctor tells me not to push myself, so when I want it, I allow myself my seclusion. I do try to get out at least once a month."

"I think that is completely understandable."

Louisa gave a tight smile. "Perhaps next week I can accompany you when you go out. We might even be able to force Freddy into going with us."

Lilian couldn't help but laugh at the thought. "I'm not sure he'd agree, but even if it is to be just the two of us, I'm quite sure we would have a grand time."

"I am as well. I'll let you take your dress up. I'm sure Anne will want to get it put in its proper home. Shall I send her up for you?"

"No!" Lilian said perhaps a bit too quickly. "That is, I have already spoken to her. You don't need to worry."

"Of course, I'll leave you to it."

Lilian smiled and scurried off, heart pounding in her chest at the thought of the sweet older woman learning of their nighttime excursions.