Page 5 of Managing the Major

“She has an excellent grasp of character, which I find slightly unnerving. Thank God, you have no such ambition to ride, Fiona. I don’t think I could rest easy with two intrepid horsewomen in my life. It’s a dangerous sport.”

Octavia thought of their father, gone at forty-one after a fall while foxhunting. But from all accounts, he had lived recklessly, drinking and gambling with abandon. Richard brought the family back from ruin after his death, putting his own ambitions aside.

Fiona lay her cheek against his, murmuring his name gently. “You have no worries in that quarter, mo croi. I choose to ride only with you, and always on something quite sedate.” Fiona owned a very elegant carriage and preferred driving to riding. Octavia often accompanied the countess, greatly envied by the ton as she appeared to advantage in the custom-designed high-perch phaeton.

“Speaking of riding, are any of you acquainted with a Major Fairfax? I had rather an unpleasant encounter with him in Hyde Park today.” Octavia was pleased that the remark sounded completely casual, and not as if the major had occupied her thoughts most of the afternoon.

Richard raised a dark eyebrow. “Indeed? I haven’t met him, but Major Alastair Fairfax is highly decorated and from all accounts, well respected in London for his military accomplishments. Revered would not be too strong a word.”

“Well, evidently the major has determined that we ladies of the ton spend far too much time engaging in frivolous pursuits.”

Fiona coughed on her sip of Madeira. “Did he actually say so? What an omadhaun! I only know that he is sponsoring Nerissa Croyden’s daughter this Season, so they could be relations. The girl is extremely beautiful—she looks much like your sister Valentina at her first Season.”

“I recall hearing some of Major Fairfax’s exploits. He played an important role in the Burma offensive of twenty-five and emerged as a talented strategist, and I think he also served as Sir Archibald Campbell’s right-hand man. Odd that you encountered him in Hyde Park; evidently, the major suffered injuries in that war and rarely goes out in public now. It’s very disappointing to hear such a celebrated figure lacks proper manners.”

“It was nothing, really,” Octavia hastened to say. “I was more amused than offended.” That certainly wasn’t true, but Richard looked ominous and didn’t need to think that her honor needed defending. That would be a terrible development. Freya stirred and whined softly, sensing her mistress’s discomfort.

Fiona set her empty glass aside and stood up, smoothing her skirts. “I really must go upstairs and rescue your mother, but I promise to discover more about Major Fairfax. No, Richard—don’t get up. Stay and visit with Octavia. Ah, Dhiá, I do hope Declan has behaved himself.”

Richard, very much the gentleman, remained on his feet. “Perhaps after dinner you will play some music for us, acushla. Mother had the Broadbent tuned in anticipation of a performance.”

She looked down at her long fingers, flexing them with a frown. “But I haven’t practiced in weeks.”

“Only because you didn’t schedule any concerts abroad this year. You might have taken a break from touring, but even without consistent practice, your playing is superb, my darling.”

She blushed. “Young Mr. Mendelssohn forwarded a portfolio of lieder so beautiful, they’re almost incandescent. I’m eager to try them.”

“Perfect. You can prepare for your appearance at Lady Jersey’s musicale Saturday evening.”

“I wondered if you might play there,” Octavia said. “Mama and I will come, of course.”

Richard bent to press a kiss to Fiona’s cheek. “It will take very little practice for you to find your feet again, sweetheart. Will you be at Almack’s tomorrow, Octavia? We plan to attend, having missed the first two assemblies.”

“But of course. As such a frivolous member of the ton, I fear I must.”

He chuckled, releasing Fiona. “Perhaps your major will attend the ball, and we’ll see more fireworks.”

Octavia’s cheeks grew hot. “He’s not my major. I barely know the man. And anyway, he seems quite insufferable.”

Fiona paused on her way to the door. “Dear Octavia—those are the only men worth marrying.”

“Why, you minx, I will have to kiss you once more for that,” Richard exclaimed, reaching out for her.

She playfully evaded his grasp. “Mo mihuirnín, I wasn’t speaking of you, but other men of my acquaintance.”

“And that’s supposed to reassure me? Come here at once.”

Laughing, she fled the room.

Freya circled Octavia’s lap, barking enthusiastically at their games. She tried to quiet her without success as Richard took his seat again.

“Come,” he said, snapping his fingers. The terrier easily cleared the distance between them, landing lightly on top of his buckskin-clad thighs. She flopped down with a contented sigh as his long fingers stroked her white-and-black coat.

He shook his head and gave Octavia a wry smile. “And to think once I was a contented bachelor without a care in the world. Fiona might as well have shorn my hair.”

Octavia couldn’t help but smile. No woman on earth could have captured her brother if he hadn’t fallen irrevocably in love first. Richard looked amused, as if reading her thoughts. “Tell me more about your encounter with this Major Fairfax. How was he imprudent enough to offend the undisputed leader of the ton?”

She related their encounter during her ride, resisting the urge to embellish the details.