“Insolent boy.” His grandmother pinched his cheek affectionately.
“I try.” He swept into a bow, and left the room.
He decided against taking the carriage. The sun was out and the breeze was cool. The tailor was not too far from Caverton manor.
“A walk will do me good.” He swept his hat onto his head, shoved his hands in his pockets and began to whistle to himself as he walked through the busy London streets.
Every so often, he tipped his hat to a passerby, smiling and stepping out of their way. He had to admit, it was rather enjoyable being able to be cordial without worrying that he would find himself accidentally engaged.
He wondered if Lady Andrea felt the same.Why do I keep thinking about her?He shook his head, frowning. He supposed it was only natural to think about someone you were going to be married to. It did not mean anything.
He was so distracted that he almost walked in front of a hansom cab. The driver shouted at him, and Frederick darted back so suddenly that he collided with something soft behind him.
“Do you mind?” an irritated voice snapped.
Frederick turned and found himself staring at Lady Andrea. “Speak of the devil.”
His fiancée flushed deep scarlet, embarrassment and indignation written across her face. Her grip tightened on the bundle of books in her arms.
“My apologies, my Lady, I was caught up in my own thoughts, and was almost run down for my troubles.” He gestured to the road behind them, adjusting his top hat for good measure.
She nodded, some of the colour fading from her cheeks slightly. “You should be more careful.”
He grinned at her. “It is rather sweet that you are so concerned for my wellbeing.”
She rolled her eyes. “I simply have a vested interest in your survival.”
“Careful, dear lady, lest your romantic heart win me over even more thoroughly.” He clutched a hand to his chest, his grin widening as his eyes met her green ones.
She narrowed her eyes at him, but he could see a small smile playing about the corner of her mouth. “Are you capable of taking anything seriously?”
“I see no point in being overly serious. Life is far more enjoyable that way.” He shrugged and flipped his hair out of his eyes.
She shook her head, shifting the books in her arms. “We really do live in different worlds.”
“For now, but soon enough our worlds will be one.” Irrationally, he found that her words had irritated him and his tone was rather deeper than he had intended.
“What?” she took a hasty step back, her eyes flitting to his lips as her cheeks coloured even more.
“When we are married, as far as the law is concerned, our worlds will be one.” He forced his irritation back under control, and arched an eyebrow at her, fixing an airy smile on his face. “It was a joke.”
“Oh.”
There was silence between them. He watched as she shifted from foot to foot, clearly struggling with the weight of her books which had been knocked in their collision.
“Let me help you with those.” He reached for a few of the more precariously placed volumes.
Their fingers brushed and she let out a soft gasp, and he felt the warmth of her touch spread through him. Quickly, he took some of the volumes into his arms and stepped away.
He cleared his throat and tried to arrange the books in his arms so that he would not drop them. His eyes took in their titles and he shook his head.
“Quite the collection you have here.”
She glared at him, her shoulders stiffening. “You need not sound so surprised. Women can read, you know.”
“I am very aware of that, thank you, Lady Andrea. My surprise was simply at the variety amongst your titles.” He indicated them with his free hand.
“Some of us like to have things that stimulate the many corners of our minds.” She replied, her tone as sweet as honey, while her eyes flashed dangerously.
