Page 12 of Managing the Major

“Oh?” Richard raised an eyebrow. It was a singular trait of his, and Fiona often declared that her husband said more with one eyebrow than most people did in an entire conversation.

“He is sponsoring his niece, Abigail, this season. I also met the major’s sister, Mrs. Croyden. She is quite striking in her way and seems to move about the ton comfortably. I invited them to call on Friday. Miss Croyden is very beautiful and beset with suitors, so the family may be somewhat overwhelmed this Season.”

“Do I sense you are inclined to meddle in their affairs, Octavia? That does not bode well.”

“Since when do I meddle, Richard? Really! I’m curious; were you able to find out more about Major Fairfax?”

“Yes, I intercepted the elder Lord Hope driving in Hyde Park this morning. He has a passion for all things military, and it seems Major Alastair Fairfax is among his favorite subjects. Your major graduated from Sandhurst with honors and first made a name for himself in the Zulu Wars, then was appointed to the Royal Regiment and later acted as Sir Archibald Campbell’s right-hand man in Burma.”

“I know little about history,” Octavia admitted, “but war must be a horrible thing.”

He looked somber. “I have known men who are never the same afterward. But fortunately, London loves its military heroes and is quick to show appreciation.”

“Do you know how the major came to be injured?”

“That is quite a story. According to Lord Hope, the British attempted to take Rangoon Harbor in twenty-five. The first attack failed, but Major Fairfax rallied his men for a second assault. It was successful, although he was struck down by canister shot toward the end. Your major helped half a dozen wounded men to safety before succumbing to his own injuries.”

“He’s not my—”

“Not what?” Her mother walked up, dabbing her cheeks with a lilac handkerchief. “My, it’s warm tonight. Please don’t tell me you are speaking of horses. While I appreciate your passion for them, I am very tired of the subject.”

“No, Mama, in fact, I was just telling Richard that I have invited some new acquaintances to call on Friday. A Major Fairfax, his sister, and his niece. The girl is making her debut this Season, and I’ve decided to take her under my wing.”

“Not your major, indeed,” Richard murmured.

Chapter Six

Miss Merrick Forms a Plan

The next morning, Octavia met with Jerome to take in the new horse, a well-built roan mare with an elegant dished face and excellent gaits. She leaned on the rail, Freya at her side, watching Jerome ride the mare around the stable yard. Merrick House had a larger area for this than most; after Richard left, Octavia had some of the garden taken out to enlarge the riding yard. She preferred starting the young horses at home rather than immediately exposing them to the paths in Hyde Park.

“She will do very well, Jerome. As always, you bring them along beautifully.”

He walked over and dismounted, patting the horse. “Well, thank’ee kindly, miss. She was ne’er a trouble, kind from the start, she was. I see Peter comin’ wit’ yer troublesome one. I’ll go on it and see what I see.”

They spent the next hour with Lucifer, attempting to work on the stallion’s training issues. He was easily distracted and paid far too much attention to everything around him. Jerome suggested letting the horse play and run in the stable yard before taking it out to the park. Octavia realized as she watched Jerome ride the stallion that she had been too indulgent with Lucifer’s antics. With one or two sharp reprimands from the wiry, ginger-haired horseman, it settled quickly. By the time they finished, it was close to noon. Freya had vanished some time ago, no doubt seeking her warm bed.

Octavia entered the house, and Soames, the butler, caught her as she prepared to go upstairs and change out of her riding outfit. Freya scampered at his side and rushed over to greet her mistress. She picked the terrier up and received many wet kisses in return.

“Lady Hope left her card, Miss Octavia, and said she would return at one. She is completing some errands, but I could send a footman after her if you have a message.”

“No, thank you, Soames. We are not expecting any callers this afternoon, are we?”

“We are not, miss.” Unlike her mother, she was often gone from the house, most often down at the stables or riding in the park. Several years ago, she established a custom that her personal visitors arranged calls in advance. Genevieve had no such restrictions, but she knew the risk of finding Octavia away if she dropped by unexpectedly.

“If Lady Hope returns before I’m back, please ask her to wait. Come, Freya!” Together, they ran up the stairs to see Marie, her maid, waiting at the top.

“Good afternoon, miss. Is there a particular outfit you’d like me to set out?”

“Mmm…something yellow, I think. It actually feels a bit more like spring outside today. And let’s do something simple with my hair, if you please, Marie. I’m only expecting Lady Genevieve.”

When she entered the drawing room, Genevieve was waiting, flipping through the latest fashion magazine. She jumped up and hugged Octavia. Freya frolicked around them, begging for attention. “At last! I have news about Major Fairfax to tell you. And I want to hear what happened last night after I left.”

“It was too bad of you to run off like that, Genevieve, especially after instigating the entire meeting.”

She pulled Octavia onto the sofa, and Freya leaped up to settle between them. Genevieve patted the terrier absently. “I didn’t want to be in the way, silly. There were already enough people around. Besides, Evan left for the country this morning, so I promised to give him my complete attention last night. But enough of that—I have information about the major. You know my father-in-law dotes on the military? Well, he was a wealth of information this morning at breakfast.”

“I hate to spoil your excitement, but Richard saw the elder Lord Hope in Hyde Park on the morning of the ball and told me everything.”