Her words were stilled when Harred placed his hand on her sleeve and leaned in. “This is not a goodbye. I can promise you that,” he said softly.
Octavia’s breath hitched at his words and she couldn’t help but wonder about the meaning behind them. Dare she hope that he cared for her, just as she cared for him? Her heart was turning towards him, but it didn’t frighten her. Rather, it felt like her heart had found a home in his.
“You forget yourself,” Fredrick stated in a firm voice.
Harred straightened and took a step back. “My apologies,” he said, but he didn’t sound repentant at all. “I believe I will walk home. It shall do me some good.”
“I do not think that is a good idea,” Fredrick stated. “It would be best if you took the coach and remained off the pavement.”
Harred opened his mouth to no doubt object, but Octavia spoke up first. “I agree with Fredrick. I can’t stand the thought of you being in harm’s way.”
He considered her for a moment before saying, “Then I shall take the coach, but only because I wish to ease your mind.”
“Thank you,” Octavia said.
After Harred stepped into the coach, it was only a moment later that the driver urged the team forward.
Octavia watched as the coach rolled down the street, finding great relief that Harred was safe for the time being. She couldn’t quite believe that someone had tried to kill him today… again. It was becoming far too frequent of an occurrence.
Fredrick’s voice drew her attention. “We should get inside.”
“Do you think Harred will be all right?” she asked.
“Harred is a smart man. He won’t take any unnecessary risks at this time,” Fredrick replied.
Octavia turned towards her brother with pursed lips. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“I know, but I do not wish to lie to you. I don’t know what the future holds and someone is determined to see Harred dead,” Fredrick said.
“You must stop that from happening,” Octavia asserted.
Fredrick gave her a knowing look. “You care for Harred, don’t you?”
Octavia felt her back grow rigid at his words. She didn’tdare reveal the depths of her feelings to her brother. “He is my friend.”
“I daresay that he is more than your friend,” Fredrick pressed. “I can see it in your eyes. You have fallen for Harred.”
She should have known that her brother would have seen right through her. He always did. But that didn’t mean thatshewas ready to admit her feelings.
As she thought of what she should say to end this line of questioning, her brother put his hand up. “I won’t press you… for now. But think on what I said.”
Octavia knew that she was in far more trouble than she had realized. She had not only fallen for Harred, but her heart was now involved.
Chapter Sixteen
The morning sun streamed through the windows as Harred sat at his desk in his study. He’d had a restless night of sleep as he replayed the moments of the attack at Vauxhall Gardens. If Fredrick hadn’t noticed the sniper when he did, he might be dead. He shuddered at that thought. What had he done that was so grievous that someone wanted to kill him?
His brother did have the means and the opportunity to kill him, but would he do such a thing? It just sounded so preposterous. He didn’t share a close relationship with William, but he would like to think his brother wasn’t a murderer.
But what of Lord Drycott? Was Greydon right about him? Would he truly resort to murder over a bill in the House of Lords? That seemed like such a drastic measure.
Harred glanced down at the ledger and sighed. He hadn’t gotten much work done this morning, and he doubted he would fare much better as time went on. When had his life gotten so complicated? But he already knew that answer. It was the moment his parents had died, leaving him to pick up the pieces. He was trying his best, but he felt like he was failing.
The only thing that kept him going was Octavia. It wasonly after he’d met her that he felt his heart begin to beat again. The light of her soul pierced through the darkness that he had let consume him. She’d brought him back to life by showing him that there was still good in this world.
But now he had to convince her that he was the man for her. How was he supposed to do that when someone was trying to kill him? Quite frankly, he wanted her nowhere near him, yet at the same time, he didn’t want to let her out of his sight. It was quite the conundrum he was facing.
His study door opened and his brother staggered into the room. “Your lordship,” William grumbled as he performed an exaggerated bow.
