To Octavia’s pleasant surprise, Harred said, “I think it is important that women learn about those topics. For how else will we avoid making the same mistakes as we did in the past? An educated woman is a powerful woman, indeed.”
“I hadn’t realized you felt that way,” Octavia responded.
Harred nodded. “My mother was rather progressive in her views and I grew up with lively debates in my home. It is one of the things that I miss most about my parents being gone.”
Fredrick stepped forward and addressed Lady William. “Do you know where your husband is, my lady?” he asked gently. But there was a firmness to his words.
With a barely discernible frown, she replied, “I do not know. He hasn’t spoken to me since we left the soiree last night. I heard that he left the townhouse earlier, but I have no indication as to where he went.”
Octavia could hear the heartache in Lady William’s voice. She had only just married Lord William, but it appeared as if he had tossed his new wife aside in pursuit of other entertainments.
Lady William walked over to the bookshelf and slipped the book back into place. “I shouldn’t be in here anyways. William instructed me to stay in the drawing room in case I have callers.” She winced. “Not that anyone will call upon me, considering I am just a merchant’s daughter.”
Feeling compassion well up inside of her, Octavia asked, “Would you like me to accompany you to the drawing room for a visit?”
Lady William perked up. “Yes, I would greatly appreciate that. Thank you,” she gushed.
“Very well,” Octavia said. “Shall we?”
With a newfound skip in her step, Lady William crossed the room and departed from the study. It would appear that she was rather eager for this visit.
As Octavia turned to leave, her brother placed his hand on her arm and acknowledged, “That is most kind of you, Sister.”
In a hushed voice, Octavia said, “I had to do something. I can recognize a kindred soul that is just trying to find her place within Society.”
Fredrick removed his hand. “Regardless, you did a good thing.”
“Do not praise me for doing what my conscience dictates,” she said. “I would like to think that most people would have done what I did.”
Harred interjected, “Sadly, I believe very few people amongst thetonwould have, but you have made Ruth very happy with your thoughtful act.”
Octavia smiled at Harred. “Thank you, my lord.”
“What? Where is my ‘thank you’?” Fredrick teased. “I do believe I said something similar.”
“Yes, but Harred said it so much better than you,” Octavia said lightly.
And with that retort, she departed from the room and headed towards the drawing room. She stepped into the room and saw that it was cluttered with furniture of all sizes.
Lady William was sitting on a settee in the center of the room and she gave her an understanding look. “It is a bit crowded in here,” she explained. “William told me that his mother collected antique furniture and had yet to decorate before her death.”
“So they left the drawing room like this?” Octavia asked in disbelief.
“Apparently so,” Lady William said. “It might have been too hard for them to remove the furniture.”
Octavia carefully navigated her way through the furniture towards the settee. “It is almost a maze in here. Perhaps you should redecorate now that you are the lady of the house.”
Lady William’s eyes grew wide, as if that thought hadn’t occurred to her. “I wouldn’t dare. Besides, I won’t be the lady of the house for too long. William is insistent that we find our own place.”
“Is he looking for a place?”
“I know not, but he says he doesn’t want to live under the same roof as his brother,” Lady William said, wincing. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
Octavia raised her eyebrows in a look that she hoped conveyed her compassion for Lady William’s plight. “You do not have to apologize for anything. I will not betray your confidences.”
Lady William gave her a timid smile. “I don’t want to give William a reason to be mad at me, especially since we see each other so little as it is.”
“I’m sorry,” Octavia said, unsure of what else to say.
