The coach came to a stop in front of Harred’s townhouse and Fredrick opened the door for him. “Goodnight, Harred,” he said.
Harred remained rooted in his seat as he addressed Octavia. “May I call upon you tomorrow?” he asked.
“I would like that very much,” Octavia replied with a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
He opened his mouth but Fredrick spoke first. “Goodnight, Harred,” he repeated. “It is late, and I do not have the energy to deal with you for a moment longer.”
Octavia swatted at her brother’s sleeve. “Do be nice,” she encouraged. “Someone tried to kill him tonight.”
“Yes, and it was because of me that he is still alive,” Fredrick pointed out.
Harred thought it best if he took his leave. He politely tipped his head as he said, “Goodnight, Octavia. Fredrick.” He exited the coach and hurried up the steps towards the main door.
When he stepped inside, he was immediately met by William and Ruth.
“Are you all right?” William asked. “Were you able to save Octavia?”
Harred bobbed his head. “I am perfectly fine and Lady Octavia is on her way home with her brother.”
Ruth brought a hand to her chest and let out a sigh. “What a relief. I have been so worried about you both.”
“If you will excuse me, I would like to retire to bed,” Harred said. “It has been a long day.”
William surprised him by stepping closer and giving him a firm embrace. “I am glad that you are all right, Harred,” he said before he released him and walked off.
The amazement must have shown on Harred’s facebecause Ruth explained, “William was particularly upset over the events of the evening.”
Harred didn’t know why but he found great relief in that. They still didn’t know who was behind everything, but surely it couldn’t be William. Not if he had reacted in such a fashion. Could he?
Chapter Twenty-One
The following morning, Harred sat at his desk as he attempted to review the accounts but his mind kept straying towards Octavia. He wanted to offer for her, but he couldn’t do that, not while someone was trying to kill him. He refused to put her in harm’s way… again.
The door opened and his brother stepped into the room. “Do you have a moment to talk?” William asked.
Harred placed the paper onto the desk and replied, “What would you care to talk about?”
William looked unsure, which was in stark contrast to how he usually acted. “I have done some thinking and I want to apologize.”
Now his curiosity was piqued. William had never been known to be one to apologize, well, for anything. “What do you want to apologize for in particular?”
“For everything,” came his brother’s reply. “I have made a real muck of my life and I realize that I need to change.”
Harred leaned back in his seat as he gauged his brother’s sincerity. “Where did this change of heart come from?”
William walked over to the chair that faced the desk and sat down. “Everything came crashing down when I realizedthat you thought I was behind the attacks on your life,” he revealed. “At first, I blamed you for thinking something so preposterous. But then it hit me. I was to blame, not you. It was my behavior that allowed you to think such a thing.”
His brother continued as he held his gaze. “We may not always get along, but I do not want you dead. You are the only family that I have left.”
Touched by his brother’s words, Harred said, “I do believe you.”
William looked relieved by his admission. “I am happy to hear you say that,” he sighed. “I may not always appear to be listening, but I do hear your words. Frankly, you remind me of Father in so many ways, and I know he would have been proud of you.”
“Our parents would have wanted us to rely on one another,” Harred said. “Let’s not disappoint them.”
William nodded. “I hope one day to be the person that you have become, but I find that change is difficult for me.”
“It is for everyone, but it is the silent battles that you must overcome. The ones that no one even realizes that you are fighting.”
