“Yes, but you have done everything for your brother, and it is time that he goes it alone,” Octavia said.
Lord Kendal winced. “He will fail, and what then?”
“You pick him back up, and he tries again,” Octavia replied. “Have you not considered that your brother is the way he is because you have always tried to save him?”
He grew silent and she feared that she had spoken too plainly.
As she went to apologize, her mother’s eyes opened and she turned towards them. “Hello, Octavia,” she greeted. “Is this your husband?”
Octavia’s heart dropped. Her mother’s memory seemed to be slipping more with each passing day. “It is,” she said.
Lord Kendal rose from his seat and bowed. “My name is Harred, my lady,” he greeted. “It is a pleasure to be meeting you.”
“Are you in the Army?” she asked him.
“I am not,” Lord Kendal replied.
Her mother smiled. “My Fredrick is in the Army but he hasn’t returned home yet. He is fighting those dastardly Frenchmen.”
Octavia interjected, “Fredrick has returned home, Mother. Would you care to see him?”
“What joyous news,” her mother replied. “I shall send Edith to bring him to me.”
“Edith was your mother’s lady’s maid. Nancy is your lady’s maid,” Octavia explained.
Her mother pursed her lips. “That doesn’t sound right to me.” She slipped her hand under the covers and retrieved a piece of dry sweetmeat. “Would anyone care for a treat?”
“No, thank you,” Lord Kendal replied.
After her mother plopped the treat into her mouth, the door opened and her father stepped into the room. He tipped his head at Lord Kendal. “It is good to see you, Harred.”
“My lord,” Lord Kendal responded.
Her father approached the bed and said, “You two may go. I will sit with Fanny until I depart for the House of Lords.”
Octavia smiled at her mother before saying, “I shall return then, and perhaps we can read another book together.”
“I would like that,” her mother responded.
Lord Kendal held his hand out to her. “Allow me, Octavia,” he said.
She slipped her hand into his and he assisted her in rising. “Thank you, Harred.” She had never called a gentleman by his given name before, but it just felt right in this case.
They didn’t speak as he led her out of the bedchamber and into the corridor. Once her mother’s door was closed behind them, Lord Kendal dropped his arm.
“Your poor mother,” he murmured. “I can’t imagine how difficult it is for you to see her like that. How do you do it?”
“How do I do what?” she asked, unsure of what he was asking.
He took a step closer to her. “How do you repeat the same thing over and over again but do it in a way that it seems like it is the first time you’ve said it?”
She sighed. “It has taken a lot of practice, but I do not want to do anything that would frustrate my mother. I know she is trying her best.”
“You are an impressive young woman,” he said. “I hope you know that.”
“I daresay that you are being far too complimentary because I am doing what any good daughter would do,” she responded.
Lord Kendal held her gaze before asking, “Will you sit next to me during the musical performance this evening at Lady Sarah Crowley’s soiree?”
