William grew tense at the mention of their parents. “It doesn’t matter what they want anymore because they are dead. But I am still here and I made my choice. Accept it or don’t. I truly don’t care.”
Before Harred could say his next words, William walked over to the door while he said, “If my wife asks for me, I will be at White’s.”
“I thought you were joining her for breakfast in her bedchamber?” he asked. Surely his brother wouldn’t be so callous as to leave his wife alone after she only just arrived at the townhouse?
William opened the door and declared, “I am in no mood to entertain my wife right now. I need to get drunk and forget this blasted conversation ever happened.”
After William departed from the study, Harred sat back in his seat and stared up at the ceiling. What in the blazes was he going to do with his brother? William had done something intolerably stupid and he had no intention of doing right by his wife.
Poor Ruth. Did she know what she had gotten herself into by marrying William? She may have married into this world, but that didn’t mean she would be accepted by theton- or her own husband.
As if his thoughts had conjured up Ruth, she stepped into the room and in a hesitant voice asked, “Do you know where Lord William is?”
Harred rose and he dreaded saying his next words. “He went to White’s for a drink.” Or two. Most likely, he would be gone for hours, but he didn’t want to reveal too much.
“Oh,” Ruth murmured as her eyes darted towards the drink cart. No doubt she was wondering why William couldn’t have had a drink at his own home, but that was something Harred couldn’t answer. “I shall wait for him in my bedchamber then.”
Opening his arms wide, he encouraged, “This is your home for now. You are welcome to explore it. Perhaps you may find some solace in our library.”
Ruth clasped her hands in front of her. “Thank you, my lord. I do enjoy reading.”
“It is Harred,” he corrected lightly. “We are family now and we don’t make use of titles.”
She gave him the same weak smile as she had before. “I do not wish to take up too much of your time. Thank you.”
Harred watched as she ducked her head and practically fled from the study. Ruth seemed so unsure of herself, and he wished there was something that he could do for her. But that was not his place.
The long clock chimed, alerting him to the time. He had waited long enough. It was time to go call on Lady Octavia. And, quite frankly, he needed a reprieve.
Octavia watched safely from the window as Freddy strutted around in the gardens as he tried to impress the female peacocks that were giving him little heed. Poor Freddy, she thought. There were some days that she felt just like he did. She wanted to be noticed, but everyone was busy with their own lives.
She turned her attention back to her mother and watched her sleep. How she wished that this wasn’t her life. How was it fair that her mother was dying when she was so young? If only she had the power to return her mother’s health and her zest for life.
Her mother may have raised her with an intense desire for her to be a proper lady, but she always taught with love. And Octavia felt her love. She never had to seek it out because her mother gave it freely.
A knock came at the door.
Octavia rose from her chair and walked over to the door. She opened it up and saw Lord Kendal on the other side of the threshold.
He smiled. “Good morning,” he greeted. “I hope I did not come too early to visit with your mother.”
Just seeing his smile seemed to brighten her mood. “I’mafraid she is asleep but she should be awake shortly.” She opened the door wide. “Do come in.”
He murmured his thanks and stepped into the bedchamber. His eyes strayed towards her mother and she could see the compassion in the depths of them. It was evident that he wasn’t just pretending to care and that made her much more grateful to have him as a friend.
Friend? Is that what he was to her? She hoped so. She would consider herself lucky to have a friend such as him.
Octavia returned to her seat and shared, “My father went down to breakfast and I offered to sit with my mother. I didn’t want her to be alone when she awoke.”
“That was kind of you,” he acknowledged.
“It was far better than practicing my needlework in the drawing room.”
Lord Kendal positioned a chair next to hers and sat down. “I thought you were going to knit me a reticule so I could carry biscuits around.”
Octavia laughed. “Could you imagine the attention you would garner if you started wearing a reticule around your wrist?”
“I care little about that, just as long as I have biscuits with me,” he joked.
