Harred truly hoped that he could get through to his brother before he did something that he couldn’t come back from.
The server returned and placed a cup of tea in front of him. “Will there be anything else?”
“Not at this time,” Harred replied.
Once the server walked off, Harred picked up the teacup and took a sip. He had to admit that it was nice to be out of his office and speaking to a friend, even if they were discussing his brother.
Fredrick leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I have a favor that I need to ask of you,” he said.
Harred had known Fredrick for a long time, and he was not one to ask for help. Which made him that much more curious as to what Fredrick would ask of him. “What kind of favor?”
“As you know, my mother is quite sick and her mind is slipping,” his friend said. “She is under the impression that Octavia is married and wants to meet her husband.”
Afraid of where this was going, Harred hesitantly asked, “You aren’t asking me to marry your sister, are you?”
“Heavens, no,” Fredrick said. “I was just hoping that you would play the part of a devoted husband on a few occasions, for my mother’s sake.”
Harred sat back in his seat as he considered Fredrick’s request. He wouldn’t mind spending more time with LadyOctavia. She always seemed to bring a smile to his face. But could he pretend that he was married to her? That seemed like an enormous feat since they hardly knew one another.
Fredrick must have understood his apprehension because he said, “You will have to become more acquainted with my sister in order to make the ruse believable.”
“I am not opposed to that,” Harred admitted. “But is Lady Octavia agreeable to this plan? I wouldn’t want her to do anything that she is uncomfortable with.”
“She is,” Fredrick confirmed.
Harred didn’t have time for this, but he would make the time. The thought of spending time with Lady Octavia was far too appealing to turn down. He found her intriguing, and he wanted to learn more about her.
With a bob of his head, Harred said, “I will do it.”
Fredrick looked relieved. “Thank you. It will mean a great deal to my mother,” he acknowledged. “Perhaps you could take Octavia on a carriage ride later today so you can discuss the particulars.”
Harred fought back the urge to groan. The thought of a carriage ride through Hyde Park, particularly during the fashionable hour, seemed unappealing. He hated being on display and being gossiped about. However, it would give him a chance to get to know Lady Octavia without any distractions. “Very well,” he said.
As his words left his mouth, Mr. Caleb Bolingbroke’s voice came from behind him. “Good morning, gentlemen.”
Fredrick tipped his head. “Caleb,” he acknowledged. “Please join us.”
Caleb pulled back a chair and sat down. “I am surprised to see you both here, especially at such an early hour.”
“It is not that early,” Harred said. “I have been up for hours.”
After Fredrick took a sip of his tea, he addressed Caleb. “What brings you by White’s?” he asked.
“I am trying to avoid my mother,” Caleb admitted. “Ever since Anette departed for her wedding tour with Roswell, my mother has been relentless with trying to get me to wed.”
“That sounds awful,” Fredrick said.
Caleb nodded. “It is, and no matter how many times I protest, she doesn’t relent. It is exhausting.” He paused. “But enough about me. I would much rather discuss Lord William’s bet that he placed in the book here.”
“What bet?” Harred asked.
Caleb glanced between them. “You two don’t know, do you?” he asked with a frown. “Lord William placed a bet that he would marry Lady Octavia in a fortnight.”
Harred shook his head. His brother was an idiot. Had he learned nothing? He was gambling with money that he did not have… again. And he would lose this bet. Fredrick would never allow William anywhere near his sister.
With a clenched jaw, Fredrick said, “Lord William is not going to marry my sister; I can promise you that.”
“That is a relief,” Caleb remarked. “Octavia is far too good for the likes of him. I was worried that I was going to have to talk some sense into her.”
