“Yes, but I knew that you were the one for me the moment I met you,” Harred continued. “I rather love the way you look at me, as if you’re seeing me for the first time. It makes my heart beat only for you.”
Octavia was stunned into silence. Which didn’t happen very often. She couldn’t seem to find the words to express what she was feeling. Although, quite frankly, she wasn’t sure what she should feel after what Harred had just shared.
Her mother clasped her hands together. “What a wonderful proposal,” she gushed. “You should write those words down so you won’t forget them.”
“I won’t,” Octavia said. Which was the truth. How would she feel if Harred had meant what he had said? Would she welcome his advances?
Harred dropped her hand but remained close. “Your mother is right. We should write down the memorable moments in our lives so as not to forget them.”
“I have forgotten far too many things,” her mother admitted, her voice growing sad. “I don’t even remember your father offering for me or our wedding.”
With a smile, Octavia revealed, “You and Father’s love story is one that I aspire to. I have never met two people that have loved each other as much as you have.”
“What of your own love story?” her mother asked. “I can see the love that you two have for one another in your eyes.”
“Yes, well, there is that,” Octavia attempted.
Harred gestured towards the guitar and suggested, “Perhaps we should sing some more songs for your mother.”
“We?” Octavia asked.
“I was a tenor in the boys’ church choir at Eton,” Harred shared. “I rather enjoy singing, assuming I have the right partner.”
Octavia picked up the guitar. “Is there a particular song that you have in mind?” she asked.
“Are you familiar with the ballad ‘Love in a Village’?” Harred asked.
She shook her head. “No, but I can play ‘God Save the King.’”
Harred chuckled as he reached for the guitar. “Allow me, then,” he said. “I might be out of practice but I should be able to make it work.”
As Octavia released the guitar, she asked, “You play the guitar and you can sing?”
“I am a man of many talents, my dear,” he said with a wink.
Harred strummed a few chords before he brought his head back up. “Now, I can’t promise perfection, but I only aim to entertain.”
Octavia sat down and stared up at Harred as he began to sing a ballad. She had heard gentlemen sing before, but never for her own benefit. His voice was perfect, just as she thought it would be. For a man that claimed to be “out of practice,” he captivated her, utterly and completely.
Harred stopped singing and lowered the guitar to his side. “I hope I didn’t assault your ears just now.”
Her mother clapped. “That was wonderful, Harred. You are a man of many talents, I see.”
Octavia rose. “That was rather impressive. Now I will bemindful not to sing around you again since I know what you are capable of.”
“I hope that isn’t true, because I could never get tired of hearing you sing,” Harred said.
A knock came at the door before it was opened, revealing Fredrick.
Her mother gasped, just as she had earlier this morning when she had seen her son. “Fredrick!” she exclaimed. “You have returned.”
As he walked further into the room, Fredrick replied, “I have. I came to see you, Mother.” It was the same thing he always said to their mother now.
“Come closer,” her mother insisted. “Let me have a look at you.”
Fredrick approached their mother and kissed her cheek. “How are you faring?”
“I’m much better now that you are here,” she replied.
