It was but a moment later that Harred stepped back into the safety of the townhouse and the footman rushed to close the door.
Harred appeared shaken by his encounter with the peacock. “I do believe that Freddy wishes to be alone right now.”
“You are probably right,” Octavia said as she attempted to keep the smile off her face. It would do her no good to gloat right now.
“Perhaps I should depart so I can prepare for the ball this evening,” Harred said as he tugged down on the ends of his waistcoat. “I am looking forward to our dance.”
“As am I,” she replied. Why had she just admitted that? Why hadn’t she played coy like her mother had taught her? “Allow me to walk you to the door.”
They didn’t speak as they headed towards the entry hall and Octavia felt the silence had gone on long enough. So she blurted the first thing that came to her mind. “My sister-in-law has a dog named Mr. Fluffy.”
“Mr. Fluffy, you say?” Harred asked. “What an interesting name.”
“He is residing with Anette’s mother until they return from their wedding tour,” Octavia revealed. Why couldn’t shehave just kept her mouth shut? Why would Harred care about a puppy?
Coming to a stop in front of the main door, Harred bowed. “Until tonight, my lady.”
Octavia dropped into a curtsy.
After Harred departed through the door, Fredrick’s voice came from the top of the stairs. “You told Harred about Mr. Fluffy?”
“I did,” she replied. “I just thought he should know.”
Fredrick smirked, but he tried to hide it behind his hand. “Fair enough. Who am I to question your attempt at polite conversation?”
Not wanting to continue this line of questioning, Octavia headed up the stairs. “If you will excuse me, I do believe a nap will do me good.”
“Happy napping, dear sister,” Fredrick teased as she passed by him.
Chapter Eleven
Dressed in his finery, Harred had just started to descend the stairs as his brother opened the main door to leave.
“Where are you going?” Harred demanded.
“Out,” came William’s curt reply.
“Out, where?”
William kept his hand on the door as he turned to face Harred, an exasperated look on his features. “Does it matter?” he asked. “Last I checked, I do not answer to you.”
Harred stepped down from the last step onto the marble floor. “No, but you do answer to your wife. Or have you forgotten you went and got yourself one?”
“I haven’t forgotten,” William snapped. “Ruth’s father is the bane of my existence. He won’t release her dowry until I agree to certain stipulations.”
Harred knitted his brow. Surely his brother couldn’t have been this foolish. “You didn’t discuss this before you were married?”
“I didn’t think it was necessary,” William replied. “I married the chit. I should get her dowry. But Sir Percy is being difficult. He wants provisions in place to protect his daughter.”
“Dare I ask what those provisions are?”
William dropped his hand from the door. “The usual, I suppose. If I die within two years of our wedding, a portion of the dowry is to be returned to her.”
“That is fair, and not the least bit uncommon.”
“Yes, but that isn’t the worst of it,” William admitted. “Sir Percy wants to put the dowry in a trust and I must come to him to ask for permission to withdraw from it. Can you imagine? How dare he even propose such a thing!”
Harred crossed his arms over his chest. “Considering your reputation for gambling, I do not fault Sir Percy for that.”
