Page 19 of The Language of Love

“So,” Freddy said, “Enough of the earl and his enigmatic friend. By the sound of it, I will lose your company soon.”

Annis did not wish to think about her unpleasant morning, but she could hardly avoid it.

“Yes,” she admitted, “I presented myself for my aunt and uncle’s inspection after my visit to Grandmamma’s man of business. I’m afraid my finances are all to pieces.”

“Oh, Annis, are matters really so bad that you must go live with the Bowmans?”

Annis hadn’t been able to bear telling Freddie how foolish she’d been with Leech. Instead, she’d lied, telling her she’d made poor decisions with the little nest egg her father had left her.

“My situation is not dire,” Annis lied, again. “But I do not wish to be a burden on my grandmother.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Freddie was yet another woman whose life had been wrecked by a man, not that she had ever spoken about her marriage or dead husband.

“Are you quite sure you don’t want to stay with me, Annis? You could look for some other position? Something that won’t place you under the thumb of your relatives. Relatives who—and I hope you will excuse me for saying this—I would not wish a dog to live with.”

“It won’t be so bad.” At least not half as bad as it would be for poor Grandmamma if she were forced to live under the roof of her hen-pecked son and his harpy of a wife.

Not that her Aunt Agnes would ever allow that to happen. No, her aunt was the sort of woman who’d see that her mother-in-law was sent to live in an asylum for the blind. Somewhere wretched and horrible where her grandmother would be miserable. And her uncle, unfortunately, was too weak-willed to stop his domineering wife.

“Annis?”

She looked up to find Freddie’s lovely eyes, which were currently clouded with concern.

“It is actually rather providential, Freddie. I need employment and my cousins need a companion. Besides, accompanying my cousins to parties and routs—and even a ball or two, might put me in the way of some eligible man.”

Freddie’s elegant eyebrows arched. “You would consider marrying?”

Her surprise was justified, as Annis had never mentioned marriage in the past. She had been on the verge of telling Freddie about Mr. Leech when he’d absconded with all her money.

So, thank heaven for small mercies.

“I am not averse to marriage,” Annis lied. “But I am skeptical that I will meet a man who has been dreaming of finding a wife who can read and write multiple languages and plague him with linguistic questions over supper.”

“Oh, Annis. I wish you would not say such things—even in jest. You have so much to offer—not only your clever brain, pretty face, and sweet nature, but you are a good person. Promise me you will not allow your wretched aunt to force you into some unfortunate marriage only so that she may have done with you? I want you to come to me before you agree to anything. Please. You know I care for you like a sister.”

Annis’s face flared with heat. “There, see what you have done?” She raised her cool hands to her hot cheeks.

“You look charming with roses in your cheeks. Now,” Freddie said with an exasperated sigh. “Tell me when you are leaving me?”

“They will send a carriage for me and my things in three days.”

“Well, that is quicker than I would like, but at least you shall still be here when Miles returns from the country.”

“You’ve had a letter from Miles?”

“A letter?” Freddie laughed gently. “Well, if you would call his two sentences of scrawl a letter. He has been at Avington Park but is returning tomorrow.”

“Are matters at his estate as bad as he thought?” Miles had unexpectedly inherited the earldom after his older brother died late last year.

“It is worse, I’m afraid. I daresay he is returning to take part in what remains of the Season.”

“Surely Miles won’t have to marry so soon?”

“He needs a wealthy wife. And quickly.” Pain flashed in Freddie’s eyes and Annis ached for her friend. Although Freddie had said nothing, it was clear to those who knew her that she was in love with Miles, and the feeling was mutual.

Freddie became brisk. “Tomorrow night we shall have a celebration—you, me, and Miles. And today I have a letter to share from Serena.”