Page 91 of Managing the Major

She let Freya down, sinking onto the sofa despondently. The terrier trotted over to Valentina, wagging her tail in welcome, then sniffed the baby suspiciously, settling on the floor with a watchful eye.

“It doesn’t matter. I really don’t feel like seeing anyone anyway.”

“Octavia—have you been crying? What has happened? Let me call the nurse to take Vivian, and we’ll talk.”

When the baby had settled in the capable arms of Valentina’s nurse, and they left for the nursery, she turned to her sister. “Shall I call for tea?”

“I suppose.”

“Have you eaten anything today?”

“No.”

“Wait there, and I’ll go see the cook. It’s the housekeeper’s day off.”

Twenty minutes later, after a cup of tea and some biscuits, Octavia felt a bit better.

“What’s wrong, Octavia? Are you sad about Lucifer again?”

“Oh, no.” She gave a bitter laugh. “It’s worse than that.”

“Tell me.”

When she finished the story of last night’s debacle and her encounter this morning with Alastair, she burst into tears again. Valentina came over and sat down next to her, wrapping her arms around Octavia.

“There, my dear…I know it all seems awful right now, but people will forget your unfortunate dinner as soon as the next juicy tidbit of gossip emerges. They always do.”

Octavia wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “I think I’ve cried more in the last week than I have in my entire life. Why is everything so terrible?”

“Didn’t you believe Major Alastair when he said he didn’t know about Lady Crawford? Do you have reason to believe he’d lie?”

“No—but what else could it be? Everyone agreed that he’d been planning the hospital, and I never even knew that he wanted something like that. I felt like a complete fool. And then to hear Lucy was working with him—”

“But Major Alastair said that wasn’t so. Perhaps Lady Crawford was being untruthful. Women can, you know…especially when a man is involved.”

“But, she…” Octavia thought back to the conversation. No one had ever said they were aware of Lucy Crawford’s involvement. In fact, both Genevieve and Lord Ehnes seemed mildly surprised to hear it. “But how would she know about the hospital if she wasn’t involved?”

Her sister raised her eyebrow. “Maybe you should ask Major Alastair that; he might have an answer. I know you don’t have a deceptive bone in your body, Octavia, but it’s very easy for a manipulative person to find information and to twist things around. I have no doubt the major will get to the truth of the matter.”

“He’ll never speak to me again; I said horrible things.”

“Anyone who knows you understands that you can be impulsive. And from what you’ve told me, he’s in love with you. And it takes a lot more than angry words to destroy love.”

She gave a tremulous sigh. “I hope so. It hurt that he didn’t confide in me. I thought we told each other everything.”

“No one tells someone everything.” Valentina smiled. “Even if they are in love. You and Major Alastair are very independent and self-sufficient. In addition, he strikes me as a very private person. It’s not always easy to let go of those habits. It will take time to rely on one another and to reveal yourselves.”

“Are you and Denys happy?” she asked her sister wistfully. “You’ve been through so much heartache. Was it worth it, giving up a life on your own?”

“Absolutely. We are better and stronger together, and that enriches each of us as a person. Denys changed me for the better, and I’ve changed him as well. When you love someone deeply, you have the best of both worlds. You’ll always have yourself, but together you’re something quite new. And when you have a child, it becomes new again. I don’t really know how to explain it.”

“I understand. Alastair doesn’t take away anything, but we fill the empty spaces in each other, and I have more than I did before him.”

“Exactly, Octavia. Now go find him and listen to what he has to say. I’m sure Major Alastair can relieve your doubts about Lady Crawford.”

She jumped up from the sofa, and Freya barked with excitement. “I shall do that without wasting a single moment, Valentina.” She ran over to hug her sister. “You’re the best sister in the world! How I’ve missed spending time with you. Heavens, I’ve been such a lobcock!” With another bark, Freya lay down and put her paws over her face.

Valentina shook her head. “Couldn’t you have taught that dog a more useful trick?”