Harred didn’t think he could take any more of this argument. It was ludicrous and he had far too much work that he needed to see to. “There is nothing diabolical about it. I justthink you would benefit from leaving London. There are far too many trappings here for you.”
“I refuse to leave all my friends in Town to go live at a small cottage near our grand estate,” William said.
“Fine. Go to debtors’ prison,” Harred stated. “Because that is where you will end up if you keep going on as you have been. I refuse to pay any more bills from gambling halls or brothels that come across my desk.”
And right on cue, William’s nostrils flared slightly. “You think you hold all the power, but Father would never have treated me this way.”
“He would have, if he had lived long enough to see what you have become.”
Taking a step back, William responded, “You are a terrible brother. I will prove to you that I don’t need your help. I can make it on my own.”
“Please do,” Harred encouraged.
William seethed with indignation before he spun on his heel and departed from the study without saying another word.
Harred shook his head. He didn’t think he could have the same argument with his brother, over and over. He had no intention of backing down. It was time for William to become the man that their parents would have wanted him to be.
But he was at a loss as to how to help his brother.
A chime came from the long clock in the corner, alerting him of the time. He would need to depart now if he wanted to arrive at the House of Lords on time.
Harred rose and came around his desk. He exited the study and headed towards the entry hall, where he was met by Mitchell.
Mitchell extended his top hat to him. “The coach is waiting out front for you, my lord.”
“Thank you,” Harred responded as he placed the top hat onto his head. “I won’t be home for supper this evening.”
“I will inform the cook of this,” Mitchell said as he opened the door.
Harred departed from the townhouse and stepped into the coach. During this time of day, the journey to the House of Lords usually didn’t take too long.
As the coach merged into traffic, Harred leaned his head back against the bench and let out the sigh that he had been holding in. How much longer could he keep going on as he had been? Something had to change, but he didn’t quite know what that was.
How had his father accomplished all that he had and still managed to make time for their family?
The sweet fragrance of flowers drifted in through the opened window and he realized that he had made a terrible mistake. He hadn’t ordered Mitchell to send flowers to Lady Octavia.
He pounded on the top of the coach and it promptly came to a stop in front of a flower shop. Not bothering to wait for the footman to come around, he placed his hand out the window and opened the coach.
Harred stepped down onto the pavement and headed into the quaint flower shop. He saw all types of flowers and different sizes of bouquets. Where did he even begin?
A white-haired woman approached him as she dried her hands on the apron that was hanging around her neck. “Can I help you, sir?”
“I need some flowers to be delivered.”
“I can help with that,” the woman said. “Do you have a particular flower in mind?”
Harred had no idea what kind of flower Lady Octavia might prefer nor did he have a favorite flower. His eyes roamed over the shop until they landed on a bouquet of red roses. “Those will do,” he responded.
The woman nodded in approval. “Excellent choice,” sheacknowledged. “Red roses signify love. Your lady must be quite special to you.”
“No… er… I have danced one set with her,” Harred revealed. “Do you have a bouquet that represents that I enjoyed becoming acquainted with her, but doesn’t imply that I have feelings for her?”
She smiled. “I would recommend yellow roses, tulips, or chrysanthemums. Those symbolize joy and friendship.”
“Yes, those will all do,” he replied.
“I can create a lovely bouquet with those flowers. It shouldn’t take too long and I can see to them being delivered to this particular young woman.”
