Page 25 of Managing the Major

Yet, on the way to the changing rooms and a clean shirt, his heart was lighter than it had been in months. He had a plan for his immediate future, and he now was determined to make things right with Octavia.

Chapter Eleven

A Letter Arrives for Miss Merrick

During the carriage ride with Fiona that afternoon, Octavia was in a despondent mood. She wasn’t ready to talk about the incident this morning, so she put on a smiling countenance and hoped her sister-in-law wouldn’t bring up the subject of Major Fairfax.

Surely it had been obvious she was extending a favor and would never seek to embarrass him? In her mind, it had also been an offer of friendship, which he had roundly refused, and she wondered why.

Luckily, Fiona had her hands full trying out her new pair of horses, coppery chestnuts with wide blazes and showy white socks.

“Are they from Ireland?” Octavia asked as Fiona maneuvered around a lumbering cart. The traffic around Brook Street Gate was always thick this time of day, and her horses were still inexperienced.

“No, I’ve found a breeder in Dorset who is relatively unknown but raises superb horses. You might visit him for your next prospect. He crosses thoroughbreds with light draft stock and produces riding horses superb for gentlemen. Big, well-boned, and sensible in disposition.”

Octavia knew exactly which gentleman such a horse would suit. She imagined Major Fairfax astride it, perfectly at ease, and felt irritation knowing she should not have even considered his comfort. He had dismissed her suggestion, and rudely at that.

They reached Ring Road without incident, and Octavia breathed a sigh of relief. The horses settled nicely in the quieter atmosphere of the tree-lined, sandy road, and Fiona flicked the driving whip for a trot.

The conversation moved to Fiona’s daughter, Fallon, who had received her first set of oil paints for her birthday and was busy painting the landscapes she loved.

“She’s more interested in painting nature and animals than people, but Fallon expressed some interest in a rendering of you with your horses. Perhaps I could bring her to Merrick House sometime soon, and she could watch you ride and make some sketches.”

“Of course! I would love to see Fallon. Are she and Declan coming to Valentina’s for dinner tomorrow night?”

Fiona sighed. “I don’t think so. Declan is still a very rebellious eight-year-old, and I don’t want to do anything to upset Valentina in her condition. Sometimes I look at my son and wonder whose child he could possibly be. He’s nothing like your brother and has my temper and stubborn nature. Declan is far too intelligent for his own good, and I can see he’ll be devilishly good-looking as well. Le cúnamh Dé, let’s hope he settles or Richard and I will have a wild time of it, and that’s the truth.”

“Richard is teaching him to ride, is he not? Perhaps that will be an outlet for his energy.”

“More like for his devilishness! Yesterday, during his lesson, he took off and jumped over a stone wall on our property. His pony cleared it, but just barely. Richard was furious.”

Octavia couldn’t hide a smile. “He sounds like a very enterprising young man.”

Fiona muttered some words in Irish that sounded ominous, so she changed the subject. “Did you know I am hoping to bring Sir William and Mrs. Croyden together? Won’t they make an excellent couple?”

Fiona held the pair steady as a curricle passed them. “I don’t know Mrs. Croyden very well, but she seems sensible. And I always thought William would make an excellent husband. He never sought a wife during his mother’s long illness, which was understandable. But I’m surprised it’s still the case.”

“Perhaps he’s still nursing an unrequited love for you,” Octavia teased.

“I’d be shocked if it were so. William and I were never that serious. I think he’s just become accustomed to life as a bachelor and thinks he’s too old to change.”

“You must give some suggestions on a match for Miss Croyden. I’m determined to find her a husband, too.”

Fiona looked doubtful. “Should you be doing that? Matchmaking seems like a complicated and exhausting task, even for those with daughters.”

Octavia waved away her concerns. “Oh, it’s fine, Fiona. I consider the whole thing a lark, in fact. But I am hoping my friendship will open some doors for the Croydens. Count Von Berger’s son is the first candidate to come to mind. The family has only been here a month or two and seems eager to make connections—perhaps Richard knows the count? He’s here in the diplomatic service or something of that sort.”

They quickly became involved in debating the merits of this suitor or that for Miss Croyden, and when Octavia glanced up, the Serpentine was in view. Riders and carriages of all sizes crowded the wide road. Although the chestnut pair were tired by this time, Fiona needed to stay vigilant, and conversation dwindled for the rest of the ride.

When Octavia entered Merrick House, Freya ran up, barking excitedly, and she threw down her gloves and hat and picked the dog up, showering her with exuberant kisses.

“Who’s a good girl?”

Freya wriggled enthusiastically and growled little noises deep in her throat.

“Did you guard the house for Mommy—did you, my sweet girl?”

Lady Amelia entered the foyer with a letter in her hand. “Good evening, my dear. I’ve planned a light supper, just the two of us, at seven thirty. Did you have a pleasant excursion?”