Harred pulled out a chair and sat down. “The longer I am away from my work, the more it seems to accrue.” He paused. “You will know soon enough, won’t you?”
“I already have, at least somewhat. My father has asked forme to become acquainted with the accounts so he can focus his attention on my mother.”
“I’m sorry,” Harred said, unsure of what else he could say to that. He felt immense sympathy for Fredrick’s situation and what he was forced to endure.
Fredrick reached for his teacup and took a sip before asking, “How are you faring?”
“I am well.” He hoped if he kept his answer vague that Fredrick wouldn’t press him. But he was not so lucky.
“Are you?” Fredrick asked, eyeing him closely. “I only asked because you lost both of your parents not long ago in a carriage accident. That had to take a toll on you.”
“I don’t have time to grieve because I am dealing with the estate and my louse of a brother,” Harred confessed.
Fredrick’s eyes held compassion. “I understand, but you must take time for yourself and deal with your emotions.”
“Do you understand?” Harred asked, his voice rising. “I only ask because you still have both of your parents.” He knew that he shouldn’t be so defensive, but he refused to let Fredrick advise him on something that he knew nothing about.
His friend grew quiet. “You are right about my parents, but do not think that I haven’t suffered a great loss. I watched my comrades die on the battlefield and I could do nothing about it.”
Harred could hear the pain in Fredrick’s voice and he knew that his friend did indeed understand the gnawing grief that followed him everywhere.
“I’m sorry for your losses,” Harred attempted. “I was wrong to say what I did.”
“There is no need to apologize. I just wanted you to know that you aren’t alone in your grief. It comes in waves and sometimes the wave comes when you are least expecting it. And it doesn’t matter how long ago the loss took place,”Fredrick advised. “The empty space that loss leaves inside of you is permanent.”
“I worry that I won’t ever be able to live up to my father’s legacy,” Harred admitted. “He was a great man, and I feel so inadequate.”
Fredrick nodded his understanding. “Your father was indeed a good man, but do not sell yourself short. I have known you for a long time and I know what you are capable of. You will rise to the challenge.”
“If I only had to worry about our estate and the House of Lords, that would be much easier. My biggest headache is my brother, William.”
“Yes, and he is becoming rather burdensome,” Fredrick said. “He snuck into our gardens to speak to Octavia since I ordered our butler to deny him entry in our home.”
“My brother is an idiot,” Harred muttered. “Please say that Octavia didn’t give him any heed.”
Fredrick chuckled. “They spoke, but only for a brief moment. My sister’s pet peacock chased him out of the gardens.”
“Thank heavens for Freddy,” Harred said.
A server approached the table and asked, “Would you care for something to drink?”
“I would,” Harred replied. “I will have what my friend is drinking.”
“Very good,” the server said before he departed.
Fredrick gave him a curious look. “Do not let me stop you from drinking. I get terrible headaches from alcohol so I tend to avoid it.”
“It is far too early to be drinking anyways,” Harred remarked. “At least, it is for me. William has no issue with having a drink or two over breakfast.”
“What are we going to do about William? I want him nowhere near my sister.”
“Neither do I,” Harred responded. “I will speak to himagain, but he has it in his mind that he wants to marry Lady Octavia.”
Fredrick did not look pleased by his admission. “If he attempts to ruin her, I will have no choice but to challenge him to a duel.”
“I do hope he won’t do something so foolish.”
“As do I, because I have no desire to kill him,” Fredrick said. “But I will do anything to protect my sister and her reputation.”
