Octavia stepped out of Fredrick’s arms and replied, “I am well.” Her words were not very convincing.
Harred wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her. But it wasn’t his place to do so… yet. He had every intention of winning Octavia’s heart. He just needed more time.
Greydon assisted the man in rising. “It is time for us to go,” he said. “I don’t want him to bleed out before we get him to Newgate.”
Once Greydon had placed Octavia’s abductor in the coach, he moved to sit across from him and closed the door.
“Should one of us go with Greydon?” Harred asked.
Fredrick shook his head. “There is no need. Greydon can handle himself with an injured assailant.” He turned back towards the coach. “Shall we return home?”
“I think that is for the best,” Octavia agreed. “It is rather chilly out here.”
Harred quickly removed his jacket and slipped it over her shoulders. “I hope this helps.”
She gave him a grateful look. “That is kind of you,” she said.
Fredrick assisted his sister back to the coach and claimed the seat next to her. Harred sat across from them and it wasn’t long before the coach departed.
Octavia met Harred’s gaze and asked, “Did you know that these men were planning on killing you?”
“I did,” Harred replied.
“Then why did you come?” she asked.
Harred gave her a weak smile. “I had to come to ensure you were safe,” he said softly.
Fredrick cast him a frustrated look. “We tried to tell him that his presence wasn’t needed- or wanted- but he didn’t seem to listen to us.”
Octavia’s face softened. “I appreciate the gesture, and I am glad that you weren’t killed.”
“As am I,” Harred agreed.
Shifting in her seat, Octavia addressed her brother. “Who else did you enlist to help?”
Fredrick grinned. “Between me and Lord Rushcliffe, we had a small army of people that were willing to help, including two snipers who were well-placed in the trees. I wasn’t about to let anything happen to you.”
“You took your time though,” Octavia teased. “I wanted to be home before supper but instead I ate some stale bread in an abandoned warehouse. No thanks to you.”
“Poor Octavia,” Fredrick joked.
“It was awful,” Octavia declared. “And do not get me started about the rats that were scurrying around the floor.”
Harred felt himself relax now that Octavia was out of harm’s way. He hadn’t realized how tense he had been during the whole ordeal, but it was over now. She was safe, and that was all that mattered.
Octavia lifted her brow as she turned to face him. “What is so funny?”
“Pardon?” Harred asked.
“You are smiling,” she pointed out.
“Am I? I hadn’t noticed,” Harred responded.
Fredrick gave him a pointed look. “Typically, one does not look amused when someone is sharing their story of survival.”
With a slight shrug, Harred said, “I guess I am just happy that Octavia is safe and she is here with us. Right here. Right now.”
“Thank you, Harred,” Octavia responded. “I think my brother could learn from you. He is forever teasing me but he should be grateful that I am always around.”
