Biting her lower lip, Frederica nodded. ‘Yes, Papa still cannot see past the end of our elephant’s trunk. His animals and his studies are all that he cares about. And Matthew has partnered with our grandfather in his business.’
‘He’s a businessman?’ Samuel tried to keep his tone even, but there was a note of surprise in it. Most gentlemen knew only how to spend money, not earn it.
Her eyes narrowed and she gave him a scowl of disapproval that he recognised all too well. ‘Yes, and I mean to be a businesswoman.’
Samuel cleared his throat. ‘I remember. Your red soap.’
Frederica’s face turned redder than any soap. She looked adorably guilty. ‘But I did not tell you everything... It is not just our mothers’ fault that you had to wed me. I could have refused to accept the arranged marriage, but I did not.’
‘I could have refused my hand, as well.’
She lowered her head, shaking it back and forth. ‘Not very easily. I knew that you were in a tight pinch and I wanted you to finally choose me. Not to be forced into proposing to an almost stranger. I told my mother no at first to the arrangement, but then she promised to give me half of her company now and the other half—you know, after she dies.’
His throat felt unaccountably dry and it was difficult to swallow. ‘You married me forperfumebottles?’
‘A lot of perfume bottles. And a company that exports its product to most major cities in Europe,’ Frederica said and gulped. ‘As you know, I mean to expand the business into red scented soaps.’
He did not speak for several minutes. His mind whirling with these new revelations.
Of course the strong-minded and independent Frederica would not have accepted his proposal of marriage simply because her parents wanted her to. Even if she both liked and despised him, in equal measure. She would have been too proud and obstinate. No, he should have realised that Lady Hampford had sweetened the pot. Frederica was no fool or simpering society miss.
Throwing his head back, Samuel laughed out loud. ‘At least we will always be clean and smell good.’
Frederica giggled, covering her mouth with one hand. ‘I could use some perfume and soap about now myself. I smell strongly of sweat and horse.’
‘Me too,’ he said, winking at her.
Her colour was still high in her cheeks. She looked flushed and ready to be kissed. ‘Do you mind terribly that I married you for a perfume company? I should have told you before we spoke our vows.’
‘Not at all,’ he said and meant it.
Samuel would have been too stupid to seek out her company again. Before seeing her, his mind had entangled Frederica and the Stringham family with his father’s expectations. And he had not wanted to do anything to please the lecherous old man who was his sire in name only. He might have missed the love of a lifetime by holding on to old grudges. Plus, she had not kept her ambitions from him a secret. She’d told him about her scented soaps and even sent him one that his valet had packed for this very journey. It was very red and strong smelling.
Turning his head, he saw that Frederica was still gazing at him intently. ‘At least you did not buy me cheaply. I daresay it cost at least a hundred thousand pounds. And any person would be flattered to be purchased at that price.’
She snorted and then laughed. It was inelegant and utterly adorable. And she was his.
His.
He did not care that his parents had planned the union whilst he was in short coats. Or that his father’s debts had made the match inescapable. Or that his bride was bribed to marry him.
How they arrived here did not matter.
She laughed again and he smiled at her. ‘I see a town not a mile off. Do you mind if we stop for a few minutes? I have need to—well, you know—’
Samuel readily agreed, and they cantered into the hamlet and found a small, dirty public house. He assisted Frederica to dismount and tied both of their horses to the hitching post. Tossing a coin to the ostler, he asked the lad to bring their mounts some water.
A haggard woman with a scowl and greasy black hair was the proprietor of the public house. Frederica followed the woman to the privy. But something felt off—wrong. Samuel ordered some ale and waited for his wife. Frederica joined him in the taproom, where they quickly drank the ale. He placed a few coins on the bar and led her out of the door by her elbow.
He untied the horses with efficiency, and both were mounted and riding in less than two minutes.
‘Why the hurry?’ she asked.
‘That woman suspected us.’
‘How do you know?’
‘A feeling.’