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Freddie felt properly chastised.

“Lord Weymouth shall stay in the room you prepared for him, and I shall seek a room at an inn in the village,” Pippy said, standing at her full height.

There you are, Freddie thought with relief. He turned back to his aunt. “I do apologize. Lady Weymouth and I shall both stay in the village.” This seemed a very satisfactory compromise. Could he hope his aunt would agree to the arrangement? “I should have sent a missive ahead and made you aware of my change in circumstances. We cannot impose on you more than we already have.”

Lady Dalmeer smiled rather wickedly.

Freddie reared back slightly. Gads, that did not bode well.

“Nonsense, my dear. You’ve only just married. And I’ll not have my nephew staying in the village. Whoever heard of such a thing? I am nothing if not accommodating.” She fluttered her fan in front of her face. “Now where to put you…” she muttered, tapping the fan against her chin.

“We need no special accommodations—put us where you have space. It need not be together.” Pippy rushed the words out. She sounded keen on the idea. Did she not wish to be in the same room as him? He should not care. And yet, he did.

His aunt scoffed. “Imagine me putting you across the house from each other? What would people say? No one shall accuse me of being unromantic.”

Freddie coughed and cleared his throat. He noticed Pippy’s face pink up. Indeed, his own felt slightly warm. “You need not worry about us, Aunt. We’ll make do, will we not, my dear?”

But Lady Dalmeer did not wait for Pippy’s reply. She waved aside his objections. “Your cousin, Lord Dalmeer, has not deigned it necessary to grace us with his presence at this party. I think it perfectly acceptable for you and”—she paused and stared at Pippy for a space of a heartbeat—“your wife to stay in his rooms. There is plenty of space and…privacy.” She said the last word like it was something scandalous. Sometimes, Freddie wished the woman were more circumspect, like others of her age and standing.

“Yes, Archie told me as much...the wretch.” Freddie scowled. “But we cannot take his rooms. We’ll make arrangements in the village.” Since hearing the idea, he could not seem to shake it.

She brushed off his words. “Pish.” Then she waved over a footman. “Please see that Lord Dalmeer’s rooms are prepared for Lord Weymouth and his wife.”

The footman bowed. “Yes, my lady,” and he disappeared up the stairs.

“There now.” Lady Dalmeer gave them a pleased smile. “It seems my little party is already off to a glowing success.” She turned on her heel and walked away. “You may wait in the saloon while your rooms are prepared,” she called over her shoulder.

Freddie glanced down at Pippy. “That went better than I expected.” Or at least in some ways. He still wished they were staying in the village.

She stared in the direction Lady Dalmeer had disappeared. “I suppose…” she trailed off.

He took her hand and placed it on his arm. “What do you say we take a turn in the garden?”

She nodded, putting a hand to her cheek. “Yes, a bit of cool air would be desirable.”

They moved into the saloon. Pushing through the French doors, they wandered out into the winter garden. Some of the autumn plants still held the last of their blooms, dried and withered on the stems. “It’s lovely out here,” Pippy said.

“Yes, it is. Lady Dalmeer is very particular about her gardens.”

They walked in silence for a few moments, unspoken thoughts hanging between them.

Pippy pulled to a stop and dropped her hand from his arm. “What will your father say? Your aunt was quite shocked. I can’t imagine his reaction will be better.”

Freddie shrugged. “I can manage my father.” His words were more forceful than he felt. The Earl of Kentwood was not a formidable man, but he was not a gulpin, either. There would be a reckoning…Freddie had no doubts about that. But he was ready for it. Or he would be by the time his father arrived.

She lifted her finger to her lips, but dropped it, sighing instead. Was it just because her gloves were on? Or was she frustrated with him?

“My sisters will arrive with him in the next few days.” He clasped his hands behind his back, eager to change the subject. “I think you’ll like them.”

She walked slowly beside him. “If they are half as accommodating as your sister-in-law, I believe I shall.” She went quiet.

Freddie frowned as he kicked a stone on the path. They were not strangers. Should they not have an easier time talking? They’d not had any trouble when they hatched their crazy plan in Mr. Murphy’s library. Why, now that they were married, did it feel so difficult? He’d felt the strain all the way from London. Surely this was not what he had to look forward to? “Do you remember the Christmas I came to stay at Wraithmoore Park?”

Pippy nodded. “I do.” She glanced over at him. “I thought you might lock me in the dungeons before the festivities were over.”

Freddie grinned. “If Wraithmoore had dungeons, I just might have.”

“It does…” Pippy looked straight ahead.