“Nor should you,” Lord Brentwood said.
Octavia found herself to be most curious about Rosamond’s horse. She didn’t think she had ever seen an ugly horse. Their stables were stocked with the finest horses that money could buy. She was a little surprised that Rosamond would have acquired a horse that would garner such unwanted attention, but she wouldn’t question her about it. It was her choice and she would respect that.
Lord Brentwood’s voice broke through the silence. “It was enjoyable to dance with you, Lady Octavia, but we intend to depart.” He shifted his gaze to Lord Kendal. “Harred.”
Lord Kendal responded in kind. “I will be seeing you in the House of Lords.”
“Yes, you will,” Lord Brentwood replied before he led his wife away and disappeared into the crowd.
Lord Kendal extended his arm towards Octavia. “If we don’t exit the dance floor soon, we might have to dance another set,” he remarked. “May I escort you back to your brother?”
“Yes, please.” Octavia accepted his arm.
Once they started making their way towards the rear of the ballroom, Lord Kendal said, “I am sorry about my brother.”
“There is no need for you to apologize.”
“I’m afraid it is a habit when it comes to him,” he acknowledged. “My brother is a rakehell and he has set his cap on you. I tried to discourage him but he is adamant.”
“Well, he shall be sorely disappointed. I have no intention of taking him on as a suitor. Quite frankly, my brother would never allow it either.”
“You should know that William is not one to take no for an answer. He is stubborn and entirely too full of himself. Your rejection will only seem to encourage him, I’m afraid.”
Octavia appreciated Lord Kendal’s honesty, but she could handle herself with a pesky gentleman. Once Lord William saw that she was not interested and she had no intention of changing her mind, he would move on.
With a grateful look, she said, “You are kind to be concerned about me, but I will be able to thwart Lord William’s attentions rather easily.”
Lord Kendal didn’t look convinced. “If he becomes too bothersome, please let me know at once and I will speak to him again.”
“I do not think Fredrick will let Lord William become bothersome,” Octavia said. “He is fiercely protective of me and he does not care for your brother.” She winced. “I meant no offense, my lord.”
“None taken. I am fully aware of William’s shortcomings and reputation,” he responded. “I strongly urge you to never find yourself alone with William. I do not trust him, and I worry that he has no qualms with putting you in a compromising position, forcing you to marry him.”
“I would never marry your brother,” Octavia asserted.
“Good, because he would make a terrible husband.”
Octavia found that she rather enjoyed conversing with Lord Kendal. Their conversation wasn’t forced and she didn’t have to stick to polite conversational topics. How she grew tired when she talked about the weather. No one truly cared todiscuss the weather. Frankly, it wasn’t that interesting. They lived in England. It rained all the time.
Lord Kendal led her to her brother and dropped his arm. “Thank you for the dance,” he said. “I greatly enjoyed myself.”
“As did I,” she confessed.
Fredrick spoke up. “Did I see you smiling on the dance floor?” he asked, eyeing her closely. “It was so surprising that I feared I imagined it.”
A laugh escaped her lips. “I did smile on an occasion or two,” she admitted.
“Well, miracles never do cease,” Fredrick joked.
With a slight bow, Lord Kendal said, “I do not wish to take up too much of your time, my lady. I hope you have an enjoyable evening.”
Octavia dropped into a curtsy. “Likewise, my lord.”
While Lord Kendal walked away, Octavia had to admit that she had enjoyed spending time with him. There was a familiarity about him that she couldn’t quite explain. It was strange but she found herself being open and honest with him. Something she had never done before with a man she hardly knew.
Fredrick’s voice drew back her attention. “Lord Kendal is a fine gentleman.”
“He does appear so,” Octavia said.
