Page 51 of Managing the Major

She turned quite pink. “I’m sure I don’t know, Alastair.”

“Really? I think you do. Please enlighten me, for you know how much I dislike surprises.”

Abigail couldn’t contain herself. “Sir William is courting Mama, Uncle Alastair. Isn’t it exciting?”

“Yes, indeed. Things have progressed quickly, then.”

“Well, it’s not like we have all the time in the world, Alastair, and I have no intention of changing anything until Abigail is settled,” Nerissa said hastily.

He was silent for a moment, and she laid a gloved hand on his sleeve. “Please say you approve, Alastair. I would never disrespect Nathan’s memory or the love I bear for him. But this Season, going about with Abigail, I’ve realized that I am ready to embrace life again. Eager, in fact.”

Her sentiments echoed his own, so how could he object? There was a season for everything, and both of them had borne their share of sadness. “You certainly have my blessings, Nerissa, and I’ll make that clear to Sir William. As for Colonel Croyden, I’m certain he would want you to move forward—as I do.”

She squeezed his arm. “I hoped you might understand.”

He took her hand. “We both deserve happiness, Nerissa.”

“You look very handsome tonight. I’ve meant to say how very proud I am of your physical progress and your dedication to improve. How is everything with Miss Merrick…have you settled your differences?”

“Not yet, but we will.”

Nerissa glanced over at Abigail, who was gazing out the window, and lowered her voice. “She’s very good for you, Alastair. I’m so happy to have the brother I know again. I missed him very much. You deserve to move forward, too.”

“Thank you, my dear. I have plans to do just that.”

Inside Almack’s, it was still early for the suffocating crowds that would amass by eleven o’clock. Count Von Berger—Alastair couldn’t remember the man’s first name—and his family occupied a table by the musicians, and he walked over to introduce himself and find out more about the boy who seemed poised to offer for Abigail. She was with her mother, greeting Lady Amelia and the patronesses of the night, which allowed him to speak with the Von Bergers.

By the time he left the count, well satisfied with the exchange, Octavia had arrived. He intercepted her before Nerissa and Abigail had the opportunity to rush over and ask about his conversation with Theo’s parents.

“Good evening, Miss Merrick. I was pleased to find your note, though I understand we must discuss things before there is any chance of restoring our friendship.”

She wore pale aqua tonight, and it suited her. The high chignon of chestnut curls and matching ribbons flattered the fitted silk gown, and she looked very regal. Alastair hoped the camellias fastened above her right ear were a good sign. The fragrance wafted through the air, and he recalled that night at Lady Jersey’s musicale when he first noticed her wearing them.

“I’m glad you agree with the necessity, Major Fairfax.”

Her tone was cool, but she looked him in the eyes tonight, which she hadn’t done at Lady Willoughby’s after finding him with Lucy. Something didn’t sit right with the timing of all that. After all, what were the odds Octavia would walk in the very moment Lucy was clinging to him?

He had to trust that she would listen objectively to his explanation. Alastair was determined to tell her the whole sordid story, no matter how it pained him. Once she heard the truth, she would understand, but best to leave it be for now.

“I just had a conversation with young Theo Von Berger and his father, the count. He seems like an intelligent and well-spoken young man, both important things I hoped to find in a suitor. And the family appears well-established.”

She wore opal earrings that brushed against her jawline when she looked up at him. He wanted to lean over and kiss the inviting column of Octavia’s throat, but then, her exquisite collarbones gleamed like alabaster above the decollete of aqua silk. “I’m glad you approve. Abigail certainly acts smitten.”

“She is sometimes shy around strangers and easily intimidated by persons of consequence, but that has improved under your influence.” His voice sounded husky. “Theo Von Berger is younger than I imagined for Abigail, but his travels abroad give a maturity beyond his years.” Alastair followed the path his lips would trace to the hollow at her throat, temptingly bare of any jewelry tonight.

Was he imagining it, or did her breathing just become faster? She ran the tip of her tongue over the bottom lip, and desire snaked through him.

“Don’t,” she whispered.

“What, Octavia?” Her name settled between them like a caress. He knew her thoughts and deliberately allowed his eyes to drop to the swell of her breasts, so she understood his clearly.

“It’s indecent.”

But her words lacked conviction, and he felt a primeval pleasure that despite her anger with him, she couldn’t deny the eroticism that sizzled between them. When Rafe walked up, he couldn’t tell if Octavia was relieved or disappointed.

“Good evening, Miss Merrick, Alastair.” His cousin extended his hand to greet him, then directed his attention to Octavia. “Miss Merrick, how pleasant to find you here. I wonder if we might renew our acquaintance with a cotillion?”

As Alastair watched them go, he cursed his bad leg and wished very much for the evening to end quickly so that tomorrow might come.