“Well, we don’t have to do anything this afternoon if you don’t want to. Once we’ve been to Carsington, had lunch, and come back again, you can go back to bed and sleep as much as you want.” Frederica squeezed Dorothy’s shoulders. “Just do this one thing for me. Aunt Annabelle put it in specially for you and wants to show you around.”
Dorothy knew she should be grateful, but all she wanted to do was hide in her room. However, her mother had said to her that fresh air actually helped people to sleep. Dorothy hadn’t figured out why, but it did work. Maybe that was what she needed.
“Alright. I’ll get dressed.”
“Perfect! I’ll help you get ready.”
“I can call Teresa back.”
“She’s helping with another of the guests. You will be waiting for a while.” Frederica went to the wardrobe. “Now, where is that dress we fixed?”
Between them, and with a lot of giggling and groaning, they managed to get the dress onto Dorothy without ripping anything. The neckline had been level across her chest, giving Dorothy a modest look, but the bruise would have been on display.
The night before, Frederica had unstitched the fabric folded over at the top so she could move the neckline up, sewing it back into place. It was only a couple of inches, but it was enough to cover the marks and bruises, although it did make the dress look a bit more modest than it was supposed to be.
Hopefully, nobody would take any notice of that. Dorothy didn’t want to explain anything, whether it was a tiny lie or the truth; either way was just too embarrassing.
“There we go!” Frederica stepped back as she finished checking her sewing. “Not bad for me. I’m glad that’s looking respectable.”
“I just hope it doesn’t fall apart on me at the wrong moment.”
“Of course, it won’t! Stop worrying so much.” Frederica pointed at Dorothy. “After you, you were the one who decided to do something stupid and climb a ladder without anyone around.”
“I hope you’re not going to bring that up in front of everyone, Frederica. That’s not something I want everyone to know about.”
“Not even Gabriel? I’m sure he’ll get a laugh out of this as I have.”
Dorothy glared at her.
“No! Don’t you dare tell him about this!”
“Why not? He’ll find it amusing.”
“No, he won’t. He’ll be really cross with me for doing what I did.”
“Of course, he will. But he won’t be cross for long.” Frederica winked. “You know, I think he’s rather sweet on you.”
Dorothy frowned.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ve seen the way he’s been looking at you. He’s definitely sweet on you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Look at him next time you’re around him. You’ll see what I mean.” Frederica headed towards the door. “Shall we go downstairs? I could do with another cup of coffee after this.”
Dorothy followed her in a daze, unable to let the words sink in. Gabriel was sweet on her? That didn’t sound right. They had known each other for a long time, and surely what Frederica saw wasn’t someone who found her attractive as a woman. They were friends. Things can’t have changed that much.
Could it? Dorothy didn’t know what to think about that. Gabriel was a good-looking young man, who would make someone a very good husband, but it wouldn’t be her. Dorothy couldn’t see herself getting married to him.
It’s a shame. He’s a safe option. Not like Lucas Dashwood.
Dorothy pushed the thought of Dashwood away. She was not going to think about him at all. That was not a good idea; otherwise, she would struggle to sleep properly.
She would go out, have some fun, and then come back to curl up in bed to sleep. And, if she was lucky, thoughts and images of Dashwood would not invade her dreams.
They had been doing a lot of that. Especially as Dorothy relived their kisses. Her mouth was tingling at the memory of how warm and soft his mouth had felt on hers. He hadn’t pushed her into anything and had let her go when Dorothy practically ran away from him.