Frederica Part III

Frederica enjoys her socialising, but tells Lord Alverstoke that she has no desire to marry, she just wants to see Charis married. However, she finds that Carlton Buxted, Vernon's nephew a rather stuffy young man, is quite taken with her and seems to be working up to a proposal. Vernon also finds that there is another romance brewing in his circle. Charles Trevor has become interested in Chloe Dauntry, Alverstokes young cousin and the sister of Endymion. She is only 17 but she is an intelligent and charming girl. He decides that he will have to help Charles to get on in politics so that he can marry Chloe. He himself has been having an affair with a society beauty Mrs Parracombe, but he finds that in spite of himself he is being drawn to Frederica. She seems to be wholly wrapped up in her role as mother figure to the family, and does not take any notice of her suitor,Lord Buxted nor of Vernon, and he wonders if he is in love. He has never cared deeply for any of his mistresses.