Page 27 of Managing the Major

A note from Genevieve said she was under the weather and would see her tomorrow night at the Marchioness of Londonderry’s card party. By the time Octavia drafted a letter to the gentleman in Dorset and enclosed a check, sending it to Peter, and took a long, hot bath, it was time to dress for dinner.

She came downstairs at four o’clock, shadowed by Freya, and sat to thumb through the latest edition of Ackerman’s Repository. When Lady Amelia bustled into the drawing room, Octavia was drowsing against the cushions.

“Come, Octavia. Robert has the carriage waiting outside. It has stopped raining, thank goodness. Do you have your cloak…ah, here comes Marie with it now. No jewelry tonight? I suppose since it’s just the family…”

“Mama, do stop fussing,” Octavia begged, slipping on the mauve garment and pulling up the hood.

They arrived at the Spencers’ townhouse slightly after the appointed time of five thirty to find Richard’s distinctive black and silver carriage at the curb. Once inside, Valentina met them, her eyes alight with pleasure. She was well into her seventh month.

Frowning, Lady Amelia looked her daughter over before bestowing an affectionate kiss. “Shouldn’t you be resting, my darling?”

Standing side by side, it was easy to tell they were mother and daughter, and Octavia’s twin nephews, recently turned seven, shared the same flaxen blond hair and fair complexion. She could see the boys in the drawing room, intent on showing Richard a full complement of tin soldiers. Fiona sat nearby, striking as ever in garnet silk, her raven hair in a loose chignon with curls falling over her shoulder.

Octavia gave Valentina a careful hug. Her color was good, but the bluish circles under Valentina’s azure eyes hinted at her recent bouts of illness. Her first child had been stillborn, and she had lost the joyful exuberance of youth with it. Five years later, the twins were an unexpected gift, born healthy, though she spent most of her second term in confinement.

“It is so good to see you, Octavia. How are the horses? Richard tells me you have a wonderful stallion that is rather a beast. Where is Freya? The boys have asked for her this last hour.”

“With such a full house, I thought it best to leave her at home. I’ll visit on Wednesday morning and bring her. Where is Denys?”

They moved into the next room to join the others. “In the cellar. He has a case of new French wine and insists on selecting the bottles himself.”

Lady Amelia came up and took each of their hands, squeezing them tightly. “My beautiful girls.” She smiled with misty eyes. “How happy I am to have everyone together.”

“Shall we go to the dining room?” Valentina turned to address the small crowd. “Denys is bringing the wine. Come, children. No, Edward…Aunt Octavia did not bring Freya this time, but you may see her on Wednesday.”

Sitting next to Richard at dinner, Octavia quietly told him over some delicious roast chicken about her encounter in the park that morning and the letter from Major Fairfax. “I thought you might give me some insight into his behavior, because the outburst was disconcerting, to say the least.”

“I can’t pretend to know Major Fairfax very well, but I think any man would have a difficult time coming to terms with a disability, even a minor one. And if he admires you as I think, having his perceived weakness exposed would be difficult to endure. That he changed his mind speaks of character and courage.”

She digested this, and the major’s reaction seemed more reasonable. Many times, she had fallen from a horse and sat up with a mouth full of dirt, relieved no one was there but Richard or Jerome. A man as successful as Major Fairfax might find failure as difficult to swallow as she did.

“Thank you,” she whispered as the plates were removed. “I can always count on your advice.”

“Will you go to the country? Learning more about Major Fairfax in a setting where he is comfortable would be interesting indeed. I find everyone’s behavior so constrained and awkward at our social events.”

Octavia agreed with him. “I sent a letter in reply that I would arrive Friday morning with Genevieve. Peter is dispatched tomorrow to visit Dorset and find a suitable mount.”

“Ah, Fiona’s new breeder? What did you think of her chestnut pair?”

The conversation turned to horses, as it often did between them, until everyone was called to the drawing room to relax after dinner.

Chapter Twelve

A Surprising Reappearance at the Ball

The next two mornings, Octavia encountered Major Fairfax while riding in Hyde Park. In the first, she was on the new gray filly and had her hands too full to stop and speak more than a quick greeting. After the horse had settled, she looked for him again to no avail.

On Wednesday, the major was waiting as she approached Rotten Row. He walked toward her, and she noticed his stride appeared steadier and he hardly used the stick. His left arm hung normally at his side, rather than thrust in his pocket as the first time they had walked together.

“Miss Merrick.” Major Fairfax inclined his head politely. “How well you look this morning. Is Lucifer behaving himself?”

“Oh, yes. He’s much better now. I apologize that I couldn’t linger yesterday, but the mare is only three and newly under my care. She required my full attention, although well-behaved for her age.”

“A most attractive horse, indeed. Will you walk with me for a bit? I have been making use of the park each morning for exercise now that the weather is improving.”

He offered his hand, and she took it to steady her dismount. The major wore leather gloves, but his grip was warm and steady. Once on the ground, Octavia looped the reins over her arm, and they proceeded at a leisurely pace.

“That effort has been fruitful. I noticed your gait is strong and sure.” A slight flush crossed his cheek. Had she overstepped her bounds again? She usually said what first came to mind, and that was not likely to change.