“Which is why I was surprised to hear of your engagement.” Charlotte shifted, moving her babe into a more comfortable position.
“It is not a real engagement. Well, it is, I suppose, in that it will lead to us getting married.” Andrea flapped her hands around her. “You know what I mean.”
“I do.” Charlotte nodded, her lips pursed thoughtfully. “Though I do not understand why you are so dead set against falling in love. Frederick has always seemed like a delightful man. He’s always ready with a smile and a joke, and a friendly ear when you need it.”
Andrea snorted so indelicately that it disturbed the sleeping Benedict in Charlotte’s arms. “Yes, so friendly that half the ton seem to have his ear at any given time.”
“If you dislike him so much, why have you agreed to marry him?” Charlotte frowned, distractedly jiggling her bundle to sooth him back to sleep.
“I do not dislike him. I just… He is always so… so smiley.” She made a vague gesture.
“You say that like it is a bad thing.”
“It is not, but well, it is hard to be around someone who thinks that hardship is having people want to be around you.” Andrea flexed her fingers, cracking her knuckles as she did so. “He does not know anything of struggle or difficulty.”
“Are you so sure about that?” Charlotte’s voice was soft.
“What do you mean?”
“Just that there may be hidden depths to Frederick.”
“That is precisely what I want to avoid.” Andrea shook her head, glancing at the baby in Charlotte’s arms. “I will not fall in love.”
She knew what a true marriage would mean, what falling in love would do to her, and she wanted no part of it. Besides, who wanted to fall in love with a man like the Duke?
Every normal woman apparently.
She pushed the thought from her mind as guilt swelled up in her.He does not want a real marriage any more than I do. That is why this will work. Goodness, but it has to work!
“Very well.” Charlotte sighed. “If you truly think this is the best, I will tell you what Dominic and I agreed.”
“Thank you.” Andrea squeezed her friend’s hands and got ready to write.
“You should know that you will have to do some of it, whether you like it or not. We pretended we were in love, though we agreed that we would only do so when we were around other people. We went through all the motions of the engagement, including an engagement ring.” Charlotte indicated the ring on her finger.
“Duke Caverton is taking me to Mosley’s tomorrow.” Andrea wondered if he was planning on buying her anything so extravagant.If I must have a ring, let it be simple and practical.
“Is he?” Charlotte’s eyebrows rose.
“Yes. We will be accompanied by my maid, of course. I would ask Cecily but she is too excitable at the best of times. And I know you have your hands full with Benedict.” Andrea gestured to the baby who had begun to wriggle in his swaddling cloth.
“Well, I am sure you will find something in Mosley’s. He really is talented.” Charlotte smiled. “And Frederick could easily buy you any ring your heart desires.”
Andrea frowned. “It does not matter what my heart desires. I have no desire for anything wildly decorative, something simple will do.”
“That is what I said. I picked out an entirely different ring when Dominic and I went. Though in truth, that was more to spare his purse than my own taste. I am grateful that he ignored me and bought me this one instead.” She ran finger over the ring on her hand.
“Avoid surprise rings.” Andrea murmured as she wrote it down on the paper before her. “Ow.”
Charlotte had thrown a scone at her. “The ring is not what made me fall in love with him, you dolt.”
“Well it certainly did not help matters.” Andrea flicked several crumbs off her lap.
“I had already fallen in love with him when he gave it to me.” Charlotte’s entire face softened.
Andrea shook her head. “I still think it would be best if I make it clear that I want no surprises, especially with jewellery. What else should I avoid?”
“Well, we wrote each other love letters, but you know that of course.” Charlotte gave her a meaningful look and Andrea shifted uncomfortably.
