“What of your wife?” Harred asked.
With a baffled look, William responded, “What about her?” He walked over to the door and stopped. “Do not meddle in my affairs.”
After his brother had departed from the study, Harred turned his attention towards Fredrick. “I don’t know what is wrong with William. I hardly recognize him anymore.”
“I think it might be time for me to make some inquiries as to William’s whereabouts,” Fredrick said. “But there is achance that he had someone else tamper with the carriage.”
“I would like to think William had nothing to do with this, but I am not sure anymore.”
Some of the tension left Fredrick’s face. “We will get to the bottom of this,” he assured Harred. “But I think it would be best if I collected Octavia and returned home.”
“I will accompany you to the drawing room,” Harred said.
As they walked towards the drawing room, Harred could hear Octavia’s laughter drift out into the entry hall. Her laughter was like a quest that he wanted to spend his whole life exploring. It just made everything seem better.
Harred stepped into the drawing room and he saw Octavia and Ruth were engaged in conversation.
The smile on Ruth’s lips dropped when she saw Harred. “Oh, I do hope we didn’t disturb you by our conversation.”
“Not at all,” Harred assured her.
Fredrick placed his hand on a wood chest and asked, “Dare I ask why you have all this furniture in the drawing room?”
“My mother collected antique furniture and she would store it in here until she found a place for it,” Harred explained.
“Do you have no other place to store these items?” Fredrick asked.
Octavia rose. “I think it is sweet,” she said. “But Lady William will need a proper drawing room if she intends to entertain callers.”
Ruth rushed to say, “No one is going to visit me.”
“I plan on doing so, and I will bring my friends with me,” Octavia said.
Fredrick chuckled. “That almost sounded like a threat.”
Octavia rolled her eyes. “My friends are a delight and I have no doubt that they will adore Lady William.”
Ruth gave Octavia a grateful look. “Thank you, my lady,”she said. “I would greatly appreciate that. It will help with the humdrum.”
While Octavia walked towards her brother, Harred wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye so he asked, “Will you save me a dance at Lady Compton’s ball this evening?”
Octavia smiled at him, and he felt her light fill his soul. “I would like that very much,” she replied. “I am glad that I did not scare you off after our last dance.”
“I don’t know why you were worried since you danced superbly,” Harred said.
“Did you hear that, Fredrick?” Octavia asked with a mischievous gleam in her eyes. “Lord Kendal said that I danced superbly.”
Fredrick looked amused. “I should note that Harred only just hit his head. He is probably confused and just spouting nonsense.”
Ruth giggled but brought her gloved hand to cover her mouth. “Excuse me,” she murmured.
“There is nothing to excuse,” Octavia said as she accepted Fredrick’s proffered arm. “I will be seeing you shortly.”
Harred followed them out of the drawing room and to the main door. Mitchell opened the door and stood to the side.
Fredrick met Harred’s gaze and advised, “Be careful. Don’t take any unnecessary risks right now and do try to avoid your brother.”
“I intend to,” Harred replied.
