Octavia offered her a grateful smile. “Thank you. You are very kind.”
“Do not dally, though,” Mrs. Harper said. “That reticule won’t knit itself.”
Octavia had no wish to argue with Mrs. Harper, but how many reticules did she need? She already had more than she knew what to do with.
As she rushed out of the drawing room, she let out a sigh of relief. Mrs. Harper was a sweet old woman but Octavia could only take so much of her. There was more to do in this life than sit around and practice their embroidery.
Perhaps she could convince Fredrick to take her riding, she thought. It might be unlikely since they already had gone riding this morning.
A knock came at the main door and Carson crossed theentry hall to open the door. He accepted two identical magnificent bouquets of flowers.
Carson placed the flowers onto the table before he reached for the card.
Finding herself curious, Octavia asked, “Who are they from?”
After Carson read the card, he extended it towards her and replied, “They are from Lord Kendal. He sends one for you and one for Lady Cuttyngham.”
Octavia read the card and found herself smiling. What a thoughtful gesture on his part. A bouquet of flowers would no doubt brighten up her mother’s bedchamber. She would have to thank him the next time she saw him, which she hoped was soon.
She placed the card down and admired the flowers. It was common for a gentleman to send flowers after dancing a set with a lady but she was still pleased that he had done so. It made her feel special, and she hadn’t felt that way in a long time. With her mother’s advancing illness, she was usually overlooked and oftentimes spent time alone.
“Will you send one of these bouquets up to my mother’s bedchamber?” she asked.
Carson tipped his head. “Yes, my lady.”
With a parting glance at the flowers, Octavia headed towards the rear of the townhouse where her father’s study was situated.
She stepped into the room and headed towards the shelves along the wall. She selected a book and sat down on a leather settee.
Octavia had just opened the book when a distinctive tap came on the glass. She looked up and saw Lord William on the other side of the closed window.
Dear heavens, what was he about, she wondered. Fredrick would be furious if he knew that Lord William was here, especially under these circumstances. It would be best if she gotrid of him, and quickly. Fredrick’s anger was not one that someone wanted to stoke.
She rose, walked over to the window and opened it. “Whatever are you doing here, my lord?” she asked curtly.
Despite her sharp tone, William looked at ease, as if nothing was amiss. “I came to speak to you,” he said.
“This is highly inappropriate, and you must leave at once.” She paused before asking, “Pray tell, why didn’t you come through the main door?”
William shrugged. “Your butler denied me entry. He said Lord Chatsworth said I was not welcome in your home.”
“Then what would you have me do?”
He held his gloved hand out. “Come and walk with me in the gardens.” The way he spoke his words made it seem like he was doing her some great honor by extending such an invitation.
“I will do no such thing,” she asserted. “What you are asking of me could cause a scandal.”
With a smile that was no doubt attempting to disarm her, he replied, “It is hardly scandalous to walk in your gardens.”
Lord William may be handsome, but his cocky demeanor did not impress her much. “I’m sorry but my answer is no,” she said. “My brother would be furious if I spent any time with you.”
His smile dimmed but it was not gone completely. “Do you intend to let your brother control you?”
Octavia felt her back grow rigid, knowing that Lord William was attempting to manipulate her into doing his will. “He does not control me nor would I ever feel that way.”
“Yet you are letting him dictate your actions?” he argued.
“Lord William, you must know how inappropriate your actions are…” Her words came to an abrupt stop when she heard a low growl coming from the gardens. She knew precisely what was making that sound. She may not care for Lord William, but she didn’t want any harm to befall him either.
