“Or the peacock could chase me here,” Octavia said. “That peacock hates me.”
Anette gave her friend an amused look. “Thank you, but I do not think we need a peacock to guard our gardens.”
“Pity,” Octavia said. “Freddy will continue to torment me, relentlessly.”
“Freddy?” her mother asked. “Did you name the peacock after your older brother, Fredrick?”
“I did,” Octavia revealed. “I did so to tease my brother, but the name stuck, much to his chagrin.”
With a glance at the door, her mother said, “I do hope you didn’t come alone to visit us.”
“No, I instructed Mrs. Harper to finish her nap in the parlor,” Octavia revealed.
“She is an interesting choice for a companion,” Lady Oxley commented.
Octavia reached for her fork and knife. “Father took her in since she is his second cousin, once removed,” she explained. “If not for that relationship, I doubt she would be my companion.”
“That was nice of him,” Anette acknowledged.
“It was, but sometimes I feel like I am the one tending to her, and not the other way around,” Octavia remarked.
Lord Oxley pushed back his chair and rose. “My apologies, but I am needed at the House of Lords.” He came around the table and kissed his wife’s cheek. “Do not let Anette leave the townhouse for any reason.”
“I understand,” her mother said.
“Good,” her father responded before he departed from the room.
Her mother turned her attention towards Anette. “Shall we practice our embroidery after breakfast?”
Anette let out an unladylike groan. “I would prefer to do anything else.”
“A proper lady is proficient at needlework, dear,” her mother stated. “It is a skill that any prospective husband will expect you to have.”
“Yes, Mother,” Anette muttered. She knew it would do no good to argue with her mother so she might as well accept the inevitable.
ChapterEleven
Roswell stood outside of his mother’s bedchamber as he debated about knocking. Would she remember him today? Quite frankly, he was afraid to take the chance.
But this was his mother.
He sighed as he knocked on the door. It was promptly opened by his mother’s lady’s maid.
“Good morning, my lord,” Nancy greeted with a slight curtsy.
“How is my mother faring today?”
“She is doing well today,” Nancy replied as she opened the door wide and stood to the side to let him enter. “Please come in.”
As he stepped into the room, he saw his mother was sitting up in bed and she had a tray of food in front of her. Her color looked much better today and she appeared to be in good spirits.
“Roswell,” his mother greeted. “It has been far too long since I saw you last. Where have you been?”
She remembered him, and his heart soared. Today was going to be the best of days, he decided.
“Good morning, Mother,” he said. “How are you feeling?”
“I am well,” she replied. “Your father had to step out for a moment but he shall return shortly. Would you care to take a seat and tell me what you have been up to?”
