“Then it is just you and me this evening.”
“That isn’t the worst thing,” Octavia said. “I have been told that I am a delight. Do you not remember?”
Fredrick cast his gaze heavenward. “Yes, I remember a conversation that happened earlier today, and I contend that Lord Kendal was just being polite.”
“It doesn’t matter why he said it, but he did say it,” Octavia said.
The half-orchestra started warming up in the corner and she started to feel the familiar feeling of guilt at enjoying herself. Her mother wanted this for her, but is this what she wanted for herself? To pretend that all was well when everything was falling apart in her life?
Fredrick nudged her shoulder and advised, “Stop worrying and enjoy yourself.”
“How did you know I was thinking just that?”
A smug smile came to his lips. “Don’t underestimate me,” he said. “Now, who will be your first victim… er… I mean dance partner?”
Octavia could feel herself relax. With her brother by her side, she could handle whatever came her way.
Chapter Three
As Harred sat across from William in the coach, he could feel himself growing more irritated by the moment. There was fashionably late, and then there was late. And they were late. His brother had made sure of that by not adhering to their agreed-upon schedule.
And why was William making a weird clucking sound with his tongue? It was starting to grate on his nerves.
“Will you stop that?” Harred demanded.
William’s brow creased in puzzlement. “Stop what?”
“Whatever noise you are making with your tongue,” Harred replied. “It is irritating and you have been doing it since we left the townhouse.”
“I hadn’t realized.” William crossed his arms over his chest. “I see that you are in a rather cantankerous mood.”
“It would appear so.” Harred had no wish to discuss his temperament with his brother. It was because of William’s actions that he was so bothered.
William sighed. “I know that you are angry that I was late, but I had little choice in the matter.”
“What, pray tell, was so important?”
“It wasn’t a what, but a ‘who,’” William replied with asmug smile on his lips. “And she beguiled me. I had no choice but to remain where I was.”
Harred turned his attention towards the window. He should have assumed his brother had inconvenienced him because of a woman.
“You are wound up too tight, Brother,” William remarked. “There is nothing wrong with spending some time with women.”
“I have much more important matters at hand, such as keeping our estate afloat,” Harred stated. “Speaking of which, have you had a chance to consider what we discussed?”
William bobbed his head. “I have, and I do believe the best course of action for me is to find an heiress. I have no interest in taking a job from you,” he said. “Furthermore, I have already decided on whom I will take as a wife.”
“Who is the unlucky lady?”
His brother’s lips twisted into an obnoxious grin. “The lovely Lady Octavia Westlake,” he revealed.
An image of Lady Octavia came into Harred’s mind and he felt a fierce protectiveness wash over him. He wasn’t entirely sure why that was since he hardly knew her. But there was something about her that made him want to keep her safe. Or it could have to do with being loyal to Fredrick and Roswell. Either way, if he had his way, his brother would go nowhere near Lady Octavia.
“Pick another lady,” Harred grumbled.
William gave him a baffled look. “I beg your pardon?”
“I do not want you to pursue Lady Octavia,” Harred replied. He knew he needed to come up with a reason other than it was a terrible idea. It only took him a moment to think of one. “She is the sister of two of my friends and I do not think they will take kindly to you coming around.”
