“What are you doing, Frederica? Mother is going to be furious, and I shudder to think what Father will think about this.”
“We had a previous engagement set up, and they were aware of it. It’s not our fault they decided to change plans when we weren’t around.”
“But Gabriel …”
“Gabriel will be fine. We didn’t know he was coming, after all.” Frederica shrugged. “We can just say that we were on our way out.”
Dorothy frowned. That was not going to hold up when Lady Bedford started talking. She was not looking forward to going home now, not when she knew her parents would be upset with her. They wouldn’t say anything to Frederica, but they would say plenty to Dorothy.
“You do realise this might result in me not being allowed to have you as a chaperone afterwards, Frederica,” Dorothy pointed out. “Do you think it’s made things easier for me?”
“Oh, don’t worry about that now!” Frederica put on her bonnet, tying the ribbon deftly despite the bouncing of the carriage. She looked very pleased with herself. “We got out of there, and we’re going to do what we want. They can’t blame us for that.”
“They’re certainly going to suspect something! Why else would we run off like this?”
“Then let me do the talking. I can do it better than you.”
Dorothy frowned.
“You just want to see Pierce Cowper, don’t you? That’s why you’re eager to leave.”
“My lips are sealed.” Frederica winked with a grin. “Besides, Gabriel will understand. You can’t get in the way of love.”
“Love?” Dorothy sat up. “What are you talking about? Love?”
“Well, you’re in love with Lucas Dashwood, aren’t you? Do you want anything to get in the way of that?”
Dorothy didn’t know what to say. She was still getting used to the fact they had practically run away to go and see men. And that she wasn’t looking forward to returning when she knew both parents would be angry at her behaviour.
Frederica was wild when it came to some of her plans, and Dorothy had got mixed up with them a few times. But this time, she had gone too far, and Dorothy didn’t know how she would get out of it.
Even if she knew she was going to see Lucas. The knowledge that trouble would be there when she returned left Dorothy feeling uncomfortable. The anticipation of knowing she was going to do something she had never done before with a man she desired was being replaced. Dorothy didn’t like it.
“Hey, Dorothy.” Frederica leaned forward and touched her hand. “It’s going to be fine. You let me deal with it and take the blame. Right now, you focus on your little … escapade with Lucas Dashwood.”
“Escapade? That’s how you’re going to describe it?”
Frederica gave her a sly wink.
“I’m pretty sure I know what’s going to happen. You didn’t need to tell me.”
Dorothy felt her face getting warm.
“Oh, God.”
“I could describe it in a cruder way if you want.”
“Frederica!”
“Alright, I’ll stop.” Frederica giggled as she sat back. “You’re always following the rules and look where that’s got you. Be stronger for yourself. Be braver. And have some fun. No one can blame you for that.”
Dorothy didn’t know what to say to that.
#
“I can see the carriage coming,” Pierce said as he stood at the window.
Lucas rolled his eyes and went back to his book.