Harred couldn’t help but smile at their interaction. It was evident that Lady Octavia and Fredrick loved each other very much. He felt a twinge of envy knowing that he and William had never been close. They had been at odds for as long as he could remember.
Fredrick glanced up at the sun. “We should continue our ride if we want to return home before breakfast.”
Lady Octavia perked up. “I think that is a fine idea. I could use a cup of chocolate.”
“That is not surprising in the least, considering you can always indulge in a cup of chocolate,” Fredrick said.
“It is much better than the coffee that Father drinks,” Lady Octavia declared. “I do not care for coffee.”
Fredrick met Harred’s gaze. “Are you sure I can’t retrieve your horse for you?” he asked. “It would be no bother.”
Harred gave his friend a grateful smile. “Thank you, but a walk will do me some good. Fortunately, my horse didn’t go too far.”
“Will I be seeing you at Lady Henwick’s ball this evening?” Fredrick asked.
“I doubt it. I would prefer to gouge my eyes out than attend a ball with scheming matchmaking mothers,” Harred admitted.
Fredrick chuckled. “I feel the same, but Octavia convinced me to escort her this evening. Apparently, she is bored.”
Lady Octavia bobbed her head. “I am. Do you know howmany reticules that I have knitted these past few months? Far too many for any one person to ever own.”
Harred had meant his words earlier. He found Lady Octavia to be a delight. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and he found that trait admirable. Perhaps he could go this evening, assuming he could dance with Octavia.
“If I did go this evening, would you save me a dance?” Harred inquired.
Lady Octavia winced slightly. “I may go to a ball, but I don’t actually dance. I just like to watch people and make up stories about them in my head.”
Fredrick interjected, “I think it is a splendid idea if you dance with Lord Kendal. I promise that he won’t trip you.”
“I am more concerned about trippinghim,” Lady Octavia shared. “The dance master once told me that I have two left feet, and under no circumstances, to ever dance in public.”
“Surely you can’t be that bad?” Harred asked.
“I assure you that I am.”
Harred wasn’t ready to concede. He wanted to dance with Lady Octavia and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. “I daresay that you haven’t found the right dancing partner. Besides, I do believe you owe me the privilege since you caused me to fall off my horse.”
Lady Octavia looked thoughtful. “I suppose you make a good argument,” she acknowledged. “Fine. I will dance one set with you, but it can’t be the waltz. My friend says that is the ‘dance of love’.”
“No one calls it that but Anette,” Fredrick remarked.
“But I don’t think she is wrong. She danced the waltz with Roswell and now they are married. Coincidence? I think not,” Lady Octavia stated.
Fredrick feigned exasperation. “Your logic is faulty, dear sister. I have danced the waltz with young women before and I did not marry them.”
“Maybe you danced the waltz wrong?” Lady Octavia asked.
“How can you dance it wrong?” Fredrick pressed.
Lady Octavia shrugged her shoulders. “How would I know?” she asked. “I have never danced it with a gentleman before.”
“And with that, we should go,” Fredrick said. “I do think we have taken enough of Lord Kendal’s time. I am sure he has more important things to do than listening to us bicker.”
“We aren’t bickering; we are debating. There is a difference.” Lady Octavia shifted her gaze towards Harred. “Did we bore you, my lord?”
“Heavens, no. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed such a lively conversation,” Harred admitted. And it was the truth. It was far more interesting than sitting in his study as he worked on the accounts.
Lady Octavia smiled, and he couldn’t quite seem to look away. “I shall save you a dance this evening.”
