Calvin nodded in agreement. “Yes, it was, but I wrongly directed my frustrations at Fredrick, and I let out all my pent-up emotions on him.”
“It is understandable what you did, but as you said, it is not Fredrick’s fault,” Emilia said. “I hope you can move forward, letting go of the pains of the past.”
“I hope I can,” Calvin stated.
Dalby stepped into the room and announced, “Lord Chatsworth would like a moment of your time. Shall I send him in?”
Emilia’s face lit up with a smile upon hearing Fredrick’s name. “Yes, please send him in.”
After Dalby departed to do her bidding, Fredrick entered the room with a respectful bow. “Miss Sutherland,” he greeted.
She tipped her head graciously. “Lord Chatsworth.”
Fredrick’s gaze shifted towards Calvin, his voice tightening. “Calvin,” he acknowledged.
Rising, Calvin’s eyes briefly met Emilia’s before returning Fredrick’s gaze. “I am glad that you are here. I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday.”
“You do?” Fredrick asked.
“Yes, it was unfair of me to treat you so rudely, and I’m sorry,” Calvin said, his voice coming out rushed.
Fredrick studied him for a moment before responding, “Thank you, Calvin. I appreciate your apology.”
Calvin turned back towards her. “Well, I should be going,” he said.
“So soon?” she asked. “You only just got here.”
“I have things that I must see to before Clarissa and I attend the ball this evening,” Calvin replied.
Emilia rose. “I am most pleased that you two have agreed to attend.”
A warm smile crossed Calvin’s face. “We wouldn’t miss it. It will be a night to remember.” His smile dimmed as he met Fredrick’s gaze. “Good day, Fredrick.”
After Calvin departed from the room, leaving them alone, Fredrick turned his gaze towards Emilia. “I don’t think I have ever heard Calvin apologize to anyone before.”
“People can change,” Emilia defended.
Fredrick didn’t look convinced. “Not that much,” he remarked. “I am rather worried about his intentions towards you.”
“His intentions?” Emilia repeated with a frown. “He is not my suitor; he is my brother.”
“Half-brother,” Fredrick corrected.
Emilia’s voice carried a note of exasperation. “Regardless, he just wants a relationship with me.”
Fredrick took a step closer to her, but still maintained a proper distance. “For your sake, I hope that is true.”
“What else could Calvin gain from me?” Emilia asked.
“I don’t know,” Fredrick replied.
Emilia crossed her arms over her chest, determined to prove a point. “Not everyone has nefarious intentions, my lord,” she said. “Some people are good and kind.”
“I don’t dispute that, but Calvin is not one of those people,” Fredrick asserted.
“That is very unfair of you to say.”
Fredrick closed the distance between them, stopping in front of her. “I have known Calvin my whole life and he is abhorrently selfish.”