“Have you considered that they told you only what you wanted to hear because they were supporting you?”
Lord Kendal shook his head. “I would like to believe that I had a career in the theater if I wasn’t a gentleman.”
“Truly?” she asked.
He chuckled. “No. I was awful. I am much too pragmatic to play pretend, but that didn’t stop me from trying.”
“Was your story an attempt to encourage me or cause me to worry more?”
“It was to distract you,” Lord Kendal replied. “And it worked.”
She turned her head and saw that Fredrick was standing by their mother’s bedchamber door. How had she been so distracted that she had failed to see what was right in front of her?
Coming to a stop in the corridor, Octavia turned to face Lord Kendal. “Before we go in, you must understand that my mother is not in her right mind. Furthermore, she is weak and gets tired very easily.”
Lord Kendal’s eyes held compassion. “You need not worry about me. Just remember that we need to act the part of devoted newlyweds,” he said. “We must look at one another as if we are in love.”
“That won’t be a problem. I have perfected the art of flirting.” Octavia batted her eyes at him to emphasize her point.
In an amused voice, he said, “That was awful.”
Fredrick interjected, “I must agree with Harred. If you do that again, Mother will surely see through your ruse.”
“Then how am I supposed to look at you?” she asked, looking up at Lord Kendal.
Lord Kendal stared down into her eyes, holding her there like he could just with his gaze, mesmerizing her. A slow smile transformed his face and she found that he was keeping her captive, under his spell.
As she held his gaze, she felt the barriers that she had so carefully crafted around her heart begin to crumble. She wanted to look away- sheneededto look away- but she found herself unwilling to do so. No one had ever looked at her how Lord Kendal was now. It made her feel special, as if she could do anything with him by her side.
“That is how you look at someone if you want them to believe you have fallen for them,” Lord Kendal said in a hoarse tone.
Octavia felt a stab of disappointment at his words. Which was an odd reaction, she thought. She knew that Lord Kendal held no real attachment to her. But he had been so convincing. For the briefest moment, she thought he might care for her.
Lord Kendal shifted his gaze towards Fredrick and she immediately missed the loss of contact. What was wrong with her? She was acting like a love-craved debutante.
“I think we are ready,” Lord Kendal said.
Fredrick nodded his understanding and knocked on the door. It was promptly opened by her mother’s lady’s maid.
“Do come in,” Nancy encouraged, opening the door wide. “Your mother has been expecting you. All of you.”
Octavia noticed that Fredrick was standing back and she asked, “Aren’t you coming?”
“I think it will be best if I remain in the corridor,” Fredrick replied. “We do not wish to overwhelm Mother.”
She wasn’t quite sure what to think about that, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it. After she stepped into her mother’s bedchamber, she was aware that Lord Kendal had followed her in and was standing rather close to her. So close, in fact, that she could smell his shaving soap.
Her mother looked pale and so very thin as she rested in the middle of her expansive mattress. She moved to sit up but the effort appeared to be too great for her.
“Mother, do not tax yourself,” Octavia ordered as she rushed over to the bed.
Her mother placed her head back down onto her pillow. “I am so glad that you came, and that you brought your husband,” she said in a weak voice.
Lord Kendal moved to stand next to her by the bed. “Lady Cuttyngham,” he greeted with a slight bow. “My name is Harred and it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“I am sorry it has to be under these circumstances,” her mother said. “I’m afraid today is not a good day for me. I feel tired, so tired.”
“Would you like us to come back?” Octavia asked.
