Page 33 of Managing the Major

After Richard left, Alastair gave her an amused look. “Did you know that Sir William Denton has offered to drive Nerissa in the park?”

“No,” she said innocently. “Has she accepted?”

His lips curved. “I believe she has. Although my sister has never expressed an interest in another relationship, she is blossoming under Sir William’s attentions. I never realized she was lonely.”

“Sometimes it’s harder to see the people closest to us. And I’m sure Mrs. Croyden never wanted to cause you concern.”

He was looking at her mouth again, and Octavia wanted so badly to feel his lips on hers.

“Can I say how very much I am looking forward to your visit?” he said in a low voice. “I want to show you my home and share all the things I love about Fairfax.”

“Major Fairfax—Alastair—” His eyes darkened as she spoke his name, and the noise and activity around her seemed to drop away, as if they were the only two in the room.

“Uncle Alastair! Mr. Von Berger has asked if he might call on us tomorrow and bring his mother…Oh, I am sorry,” Miss Croyden apologized. “How silly of me to rush up, so excited that I forget all my manners—”

“Not at all,” Octavia replied hastily. “A visit from a gentleman is always thrilling. Have you told your mother yet?”

“She is dancing with Sir William, but I will.”

Sometime later, Octavia made her way to the refreshment table, seeking some punch. As she took a glass, she turned and almost walked into Alastair’s former neighbor. On close inspection, the unknown woman was beautiful, with the pale complexion particular to redheads and blue eyes. She was older than Octavia had first thought, closer to the major’s age.

She started to excuse herself and pass around her.

“Miss Merrick?”

Taken aback that another woman would approach her without an introduction, Octavia almost ignored the greeting, but curiosity got the better of her.

“Yes? Are we acquainted?”

“No, and I hope you will excuse me if I am intruding, but I was so eager to meet you. I am Lady Crawford. My husband is the Viscount of Hurley, and we have just returned to London after living abroad.”

Octavia smiled but remained silent, still uncertain of Lady Crawford’s purpose. Although pleasant enough, something about the woman made her wary.

“I don’t know many people in London, you see,” Lady Crawford confessed, “and since we have a connection, I thought you wouldn’t mind if I introduced myself.”

“Not at all,” Octavia said politely.

“I couldn’t help but notice you with Mrs. Croyden and her brother. We are old friends, having spent our childhood living not too far apart in Lewisham. Nerissa—Mrs. Croyden, I mean to say—and I were best friends.”

Odd, but Octavia didn’t have that impression, or at least, that was no longer the case. She had a vague sense of disquiet and remained reserved in her response. “They are a fine family indeed. I am especially taken with Miss Croyden. Her modesty and reserved manner are quite refreshing.”

The other woman’s eyes narrowed at the subtle rebuke. “Yes, I must agree. And of course, Major Fairfax has achieved no little renown with his military exploits. But then, growing up together, it was easy to see great things lay in his future. As a boy, he was always so adventurous and determined.”

She didn’t know how to respond to this and was grateful when Genevieve joined them. Octavia made introductions, and Lady Crawford quickly lost interest in conversing once they had company. After a few minutes, she excused herself, and Genevieve raised her eyebrows.

“What was that about?”

“I’m not sure. She seemed eager to impress me with her closeness to the Croydens and Major Fairfax.”

“Hmm…I wonder what she would think about your visit to Fairfax?”

Octavia had thought that same thing, and the strange encounter with Lady Crawford remained in the back of her mind as she and Genevieve made plans to meet on Friday morning.

Chapter Fourteen

A Visit to Fairfax Manor

The journey to Lewisham on Friday was uneventful. The horse for Alastair, unnamed as of yet, followed tied behind the carriage without incident, a credit to its steady disposition. Octavia left Marie behind, as Alastair had sent a note saying he had hired a woman from the village with experience as a lady’s maid to help his housekeeper. She brought Freya as the terrier, accustomed to traveling with her, behaved well in company. Currently, she lay curled asleep in her round bed next to Octavia.