In a panicked voice, she said, “You need to leave the gardens now.”
Clearly, Lord William did not sense the urgency of her words by his next remark. “Not without you agreeing to a ride through Hyde Park.”
Good gracious, was this man daft, she wondered. He was in danger, but he was still trying to woo her. “I think not, but it is for your own good if you flee right now,” Octavia explained, her words rushed. “There is a peacock—”
Lord William looked amused. “I can handle a peacock.”
What an infuriating man. Why wasn’t he listening to her? “No, you don’t understand. This particular peacock has an evil glint in his eyes and he has claimed the gardens as his own domain.”
Another growl could be heard and it was followed by a rattling sound. “Freddy is coming,” she warned.
“Freddy doesn’t sound very terrifying,” Lord William said.
“Please run, and save yourself,” Octavia urged.
Lord William leaned his shoulder against the side of the window as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “I would be happy to protect you from this peacock—” His words stopped as he turned his head. “Why is that peacock charging at me?”
“Run to the gate!” she exclaimed.
Lord William finally understood the danger he was in and took off running. In true Freddy fashion, he raced after him with his feathers on full display. The peacock wasn’t going to make this easy on Lord William and she appreciated that. For once, this bird came in handy.
Octavia leaned out the window and tried not to laugh as Lord William ran towards the gate along the back wall. She knew she shouldn’t find this amusing, but she did. At least, a little bit.
Fredrick’s voice came from behind her. “It serves LordWilliam right. I can’t believe he had the audacity to come into our gardens to speak to you.” He came to stand next to her and gave her a pointed look. “You shouldn’t have opened the window.”
“I know, but I was trying to warn him about Freddy. He just wouldn’t listen.”
“Most people don’t understand how terrifying an attacking peacock can be,” Fredrick said. “Luckily, Freddy will give up the fight before he injures anyone.”
“Yes, thankfully,” Octavia muttered. “I should be grateful that Freddy leaves the servants alone when they tend to the gardens.”
“You must be relieved that Freddy takes issue with more people than just you,” Fredrick joked.
“On a good note, I have enjoyed updating all my hats with peacock feathers,” she said. “They are the height of fashion.”
Fredrick closed the window. “If Lord William was smart, he would learn his lesson and never come back here again.”
“I don’t think he is that clever.”
With a solemn look, Fredrick said, “Stay away from him.”
“Really, Brother?” she asked in exasperation. “You have already warned me to do so, multiple times, in fact. And I will not fight you on it. I have no desire to have Lord William as a suitor.”
“I know, but I do not like the way that Lord William looks at you,” he said. “I am considering calling Lord William out for his actions. He crossed the line of respectability and honor by the stunt he pulled today.”
Octavia shook her head. “You will do no such thing. I abhor duels and they have no place in a civilized society.”
“But Lord William needs a comeuppance for his behavior.”
“You aren’t wrong but shooting him is not the answer.”
Fredrick smirked. “It would certainly make me feel better.”
Their father stepped into the room with a concerned look on his face. “Did I hear screaming coming from the gardens?”
“You did,” Fredrick confirmed. “We had an uninvited guest visit our gardens, but Freddy ensured he promptly left.”
Their father chuckled. “I can only imagine Freddy came as a surprise to him,” he said.
