“I hardly think a few letters warrant such effusive praise,” stammered Mina.
“Not true,” said Thea. “You’ve been a dear friend to me.”
“Not as good a friend as you’ve been to me,” she said in a voice so quiet that Thea wasn’t certain she had heard it correctly.And though Mina had never said so directly, she suspected the lady had few friends, but that alone did not put one in the other’s debt.
Choosing to ignore what she may or may not have heard, Thea held fast to Mina as Frederick worked his magic. A few teasing remarks here, a compliment there, and the lady’s smile grew more genuine as he eased her into conversation, which made Thea’s own expression brighten in turn until she was ready to burst from the joy of the moment.
With a glance about, Thea released her hold on Mina’s arm and leaned in close to buss Frederick’s cheek, which drew up his brows as she whispered into his ear, “Thank you.”
His expression made it clear he didn’t understand what she was thanking him for, but it mattered not. Whether his kindness was intentional or simply a byproduct of the kind man he was, Frederick’s heart was one of the many reasons Thea loved him. And when they found a moment alone, she would make certain he understood precisely how much his gentle handling of Mina meant to her.
“Have you explored the stalls?” asked Frederick, nodding toward the little stands with their brightly-colored bunting waving in the breeze.
“Only a little,” said Thea. “We were looking for you. I know how worried you’ve been of late about the Spring Market.”
“Worried? Me?” he replied with a laugh. “My family has been selling goods here for generations, and it varies little from year to year. Most masters do not bother overseeing the Spring Market, but I cannot help myself.”
Cocking her head to the side, she studied his expression, easily seeing those little signs of strain around his eyes and the corners of his mouth; they were like their own bunting, drawing the eye of anyone who knew to look for them. And though Mina looked appeased by his explanation, Thea couldn’t ignore them.
No matter what excuses and dismissals he offered, Frederick was deeply concerned about the market.
Chapter 5
Leaning close, Thea lowered her voice, though the noise of the market made it near impossible for others to overhear her. “Papa said you are selling far more lambs than expected.”
“Thankfully, our flock proved quite fruitful this season, and our steward will keep us from selling too many. There is nothing to fret about,” he replied, reaching down to take her hand.
Thea’s fingers tightened around his, her gaze narrowing even as she offered the polite smile expected in a public setting. She saw the truth plainly enough: the faint tension at his temple, and the way his thumb moved absently against her knuckles, too measured to be casual. It wasn’t deceit precisely. It was more akin to avoidance and determined delusion.
“Then you should be free to join Mina and me as we explore the market,” said Thea, challenging his nonchalance with a raise of her brows.
Frederick chuckled—he actually chuckled!—and settled that performative expression in place, which put others at ease but caused Thea’s hackles to rise.
“If ever there was something to entice me away from my duties, it would be you,” he said. “However, this is my first market as master of Dunsby Hall, and I wish to observe.”
“Then we will remain with you,” said Thea, glancing over at Mina, who nodded. “I don’t care much about the market itself, but I know you’ve been fretting over it—”
“Fretting?” asked Frederick, with a comical frown. “I haven’t the slightest notion as to what you are referring to. Everything is grand. When have you ever known me to be ill at ease?”
And that was the precise problem. The gentleman wasn’t easily ruffled, but having known him for some years now (both as friends and sweethearts), Thea knew his moods as well as her own. She recognized the signs that Frederick, himself, didn’t wish to acknowledge.
Searching his features as he attempted to distract her with jovial subjects and a bit of teasing, Thea tried to discern the source of this disquiet. But it was difficult to see past the sharp pang in her heart as it collided with the wall Frederick had placed between them. He was keeping her at arm’s length, and Thea didn’t know why.
“You and Mina should fetch some sugared hazelnuts. I saw a hawker selling them near the cheesemonger,” he said, nodding back the way they’d come. Then giving Thea a wink, he added, “I would’ve brought you a bag, but I was afraid they would grow cold before you arrived, so I gave her a coin to hold one for you because I knew you would want some.”
Confound the man! He was right. And despite the sweets she’d already consumed, Thea’s stomach gurgled at the thought. Likely, this would be the last hazelnuts until the next harvest.
Lowering her voice once more, she said, “If you think you can distract me, Frederick Voss—”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, laying a hand over his heart. “I simply cannot bear the thought of you going without your sugared hazelnuts. I am honored you wish to spend your day at my side, but there is no need. Go, show Mina the market.That is far more interesting than sitting here, watching farmers appraise my stock.”
Thea cared not one jot about lambs or livestock, but in that moment, there was nowhere else she would rather be. This mattered to Frederick, and the thought of leaving his side soured the promise of sugared hazelnuts. Yet pressing the issue in mixed company would hardly improve the situation—
“There you are,” called Phoebe, sweeping over and taking Thea into her arms. Giving her friend a buss on the cheek, the lady took the opportunity to whisper, “I just met the most wonderful gentleman!”
Despite the heaviness of her heart, Thea met that with a smile. With four and twenty years to her credit, Phoebe Voss seemed no more inclined to marry than she had in her younger years when lads had seemed an odd and unappealing lot, yet now, there was a giddiness to her tone that conveyed far better than words just how much of an impact this mysterious man had made.
Yet when Thea glanced at Frederick, she couldn’t help but wish to stay—even if he was already turning away. It wasn’t a dismissal. Of course, it wasn’t. Frederick adored her company as much as she did his, and he would never send her packing, yet why did it feel like her bags were stacked around her?
