“No, we are just friends.”
Ruth looked baffled as she pressed her lips together. “Does he not call on you frequently?”
Octavia thought it would be best to reveal the truth of why Harred came around so often. “We were pretending to be married for the sake of my mother,” she explained. “My mother’s mind is slipping and we didn’t have the heart to tell her I wasn’t married.”
“Oh, I see,” Ruth murmured, but she didn’t look convinced by the explanation.
Octavia wasn’t quite sure what else she could say to persuade Ruth, considering she didn’t know what was truly going on between Harred and her. They were more than just friends, but they had no understanding. Not that she would be opposed to one.
In need of a distraction, Octavia reached for the teapot on the serving tray and asked, “Would you care for a cup of tea?”
“Actually, I was hoping we could go to Gunter’s,” Ruthsuggested. “I haven’t been yet since I arrived in London and I would love some of their delicious ice.”
“I am never opposed to a trip to Gunter’s.”
Ruth smiled broadly. “It shall be my treat, but I should warn you that I like to try the different flavors.”
“I always have the intention of trying a new flavor, but I usually stick with a lemon ice. It is comfortable, familiar.”
“Well, I hope to change your mind,” Ruth said, rising. “Should we wake your companion?”
Octavia rose. “I don’t need a companion since you can act as one for me, assuming you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. It is nice to not have to follow all those silly rules now that I am married,” Ruth remarked. “I was not fond of my companion at all. She was my distant cousin but she was a stickler for propriety.”
Mrs. Harper let out a slight snore and her eyes flew open. She glanced between Octavia and Ruth and said, “Dear heavens, I must have dozed off again.”
“You awoke at the perfect time,” Octavia informed her. “Lady William and I are departing for Gunter’s.”
Her companion stood up. “I shall join you.”
“That won’t be necessary since Lady William can act as my chaperone. She is married, after all,” Octavia said.
“Very well,” Mrs. Harper conceded, sitting back down. “I will go up to my room and rest until you return.”
Octavia was grateful that her companion relented so easily. “Shall we?” she asked Ruth.
As they walked towards the main door, Ruth shared, “Harred was gracious enough to allow me to use one of his coaches.”
“That was nice of him,” Octavia acknowledged.
“It was,” Ruth agreed. “He has been nothing but kind to me since I arrived on his doorstep. Sometimes I wonder how Harred and William are related. They both are so incredibly different.”
“That they are,” Octavia readily agreed.
They exited the townhouse and stepped into the coach. Once the footman closed the door, they started the short drive to Gunter’s.
Ruth glanced out the window as she said, “Thank you for joining me today. It is nice to get out of that townhouse, even for a moment.”
“Did Lord William not wish to join you?”
“I didn’t ask him,” Ruth admitted. “He wasn’t home when I left and I didn’t dare ask where he went.”
Octavia could hear the sadness in Ruth’s voice and knew that his absence was taking a toll on her. But she was at a loss as to what she could say to comfort her.
“I don’t dare complain, though. I married the son of a marquess and my status has been elevated,” Ruth said. “I should be grateful for what I have been given.”
Octavia asked the one question that had been plaguing her thoughts as of late. “Are you happy?”
