A moment later, Roswell appeared by his wife’s side. “If you two don’t quiet down, you are going to wake the whole household.”
“We are talking softly,” Octavia said.
Roswell chuckled. “I do not think you could ever speak softly. You are, and always have been, a loud talker.”
“I am not!” Octavia argued.
“My point exactly,” Roswell said.
Anette swatted at her husband’s arm. “Leave Octavia alone. She is getting married tomorrow.”
“Yes, and she should be sleeping,” Roswell remarked.
Harred interjected, “I just wanted a chance to speak to Octavia without Fredrick standing watch.”
“I don’t blame you. He has been a bit overbearing lately,” Roswell agreed. “But it was only to ensure you two behaved.”
Octavia leaned further out of the window and addressed Anette. “Where is Mr. Fluffy?”
“He is asleep on the bed,” Anette responded. “He refused to wake up, even for this entertaining show.”
“It is not a show,” Harred muttered.
Roswell shook his head. “I am regretting getting Anette a puppy. Mr. Fluffy is like a ball full of energy and he never stops chewing.”
“But I love Mr. Fluffy,” Anette said.
This was not going well, Harred thought. He had come to serenade Octavia, not discuss Mr. Fluffy.
Octavia must have sensed his growing irritation and asked, “Do you mind giving me and Harred some privacy?”
“You have five minutes and then I am going to wake Fredrick myself,” Roswell said.
Another window opened and Fredrick appeared, much to Harred’s chagrin. “Don’t bother,” he grumbled. “I am already awake.”
Harred looked heavenward. Could this night get any worse?
“What are you doing, Harred?” Fredrick demanded.
Anette spoke up. “He has come to speak to Octavia.”
“At this hour?” Fredrick asked.
“That is precisely what I said,” Anette remarked. “But I think it is sweet. We should let them speak privately.”
Roswell looked amused. “I would prefer to sleep and not hear their chatter.”
“Go home, Harred,” Fredrick ordered. “I do not have the energy to deal with whatever this is. Besides, Octavia will see you at the chapel tomorrow.”
“No, he is going to serenade me first and then he can leave,” Octavia stated firmly.
“I would like to witness this,” Roswell said as he leaned against the window frame.
Anette turned towards her husband and asked, “Why haven’t you serenaded me?”
“Because I can’t sing or play an instrument,” Roswell replied. “It is your fault. You married me, knowing I lacked those abilities.”
Fredrick’s frustrated voice interrupted their conversation. “There will be no performance tonight. We don’t want to wake anyone else.”
