“You are right,” Francis said, nodding his head. “Such a threat in writing could be useful for her separation, especially if it reaches the courts.”
“I will deliver it to the solicitor on my way home,” Josiah said, folding up the letter and pocketing it once again. “Now, one more thing before I go.”
“What is it?” Francis asked, looking up but not turning his eyes to his friend. Instead, he turned his eyes to the doorway through which Lady Ridlington had run through, thinking of the fear in her face.
I care for her. How did that happen? When did that even happen?Somehow a flirtation and an attraction had turned into something else. There was a bond, deep and riveting.
“You’re not listening to me,” Josiah’s words made Francis stand and turn his gaze to his friend.
“What did you say?” he asked.
“Keep an eye on her,” Josiah said, pointing out the door. “Although from the way you watch her so much, I guess you’re doing that already.”
“Josiah,” Francis said tiredly, walking past her friend.
“What? Am I not allowed a few teases?” Josiah said with a small laugh. “I rather need the distraction to be honest, a reason to smile after what just happened to my wife.”
“Call it bad timing,” Francis said. “And…ill placed.”
“Ill placed? Ha! You expect me to believe that,” Josiah said, walking toward him. “Francis, it might surprise you to learn that I know you quite well by now.”
“You don’t say?” Francis said with sarcasm.
“Exactly,” Josiah said, pointing at him. “I have never seen you besotted the way you are with Lady Ridlington.”
“I am not besotted!”
“Oh really? Then why aren’t you back on your travels already?” Josiah said, holding his gaze.
“I am helping Lady Ridlington,” Francis said with feeling.
“That you are. Yet you are going to her solicitor’s meetings too, you take her in your arms as though you have known her your whole life.” Josiah pointed to the armchair where Francis had easily taken hold of Lady Ridlington and steered her to sit down.
“I was just trying to comfort her.”
“Were you?” Josiah asked. “You teased me a lot when I started falling for Diana. I’ll certainly be teasing you too.”
“Josiah, please.” Francis held his hands up in the air, calling a pause to their conversation. “Do you not think this situation is a little different? Diana was hardly running from anyone when you started courting.”
“You want to court Lady Ridlington?”
“I didn’t say that!” Francis said quickly. “It is just…whatever you think you can see between Lady Ridlington and myself can never be.”
“Why? Because of her husband, or because you vowed never to marry?” Josiah asked, walking toward the door, signaling the conversation was coming to a close.
“Does it matter which is the reason?” Francis asked, watching as Josiah paused in the doorway and looked back to him.
“It matters a great deal, Francis. Think about it.” He turned and walked away, leaving Francis alone to his thoughts.
* * *
Phoebe hurried through the door of the chamber, looking for Louisa. Her friend looked up from where she had been arranging some flowers on a table on the far side of the room.
“What do you think, my Lady? Dahlias. Aren’t they beautiful?” Louisa said and looked up from her task.
Phoebe felt the tears begin to fall as she ran forward.
“What is it?” Louisa asked, pushing away from the table. Phoebe couldn’t answer her, she just hurried toward her maid and fell into her arms.
