At that very question, Octavia nearly cried. “I am expecting.”
“Expecting what?” Elizabeth asked in confusion.
“A child!”
Elizabeth stared at her for a moment. “But I thought…”
“So did I,” Octavia answered as tears filled her eyes.
Oh, she hated this emotion. Ever since she had fallen in love with Angelo, she was overly emotional. Further proof that she had never loved her husband because she had never shed one single tear over him.
Elizabeth came forward and then led Octavia to a chair. “What are you going to do?”
“That is why I am here. I do not know what to do.”
“I am assuming it is Bolton’s.”
“Yes. There has been no one else.”
“Are you going to tell him?” she asked.
“Should I? He was to have met with the father of Lady Briana three…four days ago. He is likely betrothed now. This could complicate matters.”
“Matters are already complicated.”
Octavia swiped a tear away. “For me, yes, but should I make them for him as well?”
Elizabeth sighed. “He should know if he is going to be a father.”
Octavia knew that. In her heart of hearts, she had always known, but she dreaded telling him. This was not what he bargained for when they became lovers.
“You are correct. I think I was hoping that you would tell me differently.”
“What are you going to do now?” Elizabeth asked.
“Make arrangements to leave London, pack my belongings, then tell Bolton.”
They were the plans she had made in the carriage but hadn’t settled on them until she spoke with Elizabeth. But she really had not needed her friend to tell her what to do. Octavia already knew. Perhaps she just needed confirmation, or this was an excuse to put off the inevitable.
“Where will you go?”
“To the coast where I am the happiest, there are few residents to ask questions, and where I can raise my child.”
“I wish you well, Octavia.”
“Thank you, Elizabeth, and for being a friend when I needed one most.”
Octavia next called on Leopold and was thankful her other siblings were not at home. After closing the door to his library, she settled into a chair across from him and told him everything, without the details.
Leopold listened with sympathy, and she was surprised there was no anger.
“I cannot help but wish that the circumstances were better,” he finally said.
“I am sorry to have brought shame once again to the family.”
“Do not give that a concern,” he dismissed. “Lavinia worries more about the reputation of our family than I do.”
“We have younger sisters who will suffer if anyone learns.”
