Page 79 of Managing the Major

“No. What time is it?”

“Past four.” He started to rise, and she made a sound of protest. “I’ll be right back, I promise.” She watched him walk over and pull the bell. Edwards came in a moment later.

“Bring a small glass of brandy for your mistress.” The butler nodded and came back in a few minutes with a glass of amber liquid. She looked up at Alastair.

“I don’t drink brandy.”

“Just a swallow or two. It will help, I promise.”

“Perhaps if you call me sweetheart again…”

He came to her and bent to kiss her again. “Sweetheart,” he murmured against her mouth. “My darling Octavia.”

She took a shaky breath and reached for the glass, taking a sip. It burned going down her throat, but in a good way. She looked up at him.

“One more.”

After another, she handed him the glass, and he stood, looking down at her with a worried expression.

“You’re very pale, Octavia. We need to get something in your stomach.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“It’s important for you to eat and drink something.”

Her eyes welled again. “Alastair, I don’t want to stay here. Not tonight.” She had a sudden thought. “Take me to Fairfax.”

He put the glass aside and sat next to her. “That won’t do, I’m afraid. It’s too far, and I have business in London the next few days, as I’m sure you do as well.”

“To your house, then. I need to go away from Merrick. Everywhere I look, I think about what happened.”

He hesitated, and the conflict within him was obvious.

“Please, Alastair.” She knew he had given in to her before speaking it aloud.

“All right. I’ll take you home. There’s a guest room there, and my housekeeper can prepare something to eat. Is there someone here to watch Freya? Or do you wish to take her?” The terrier came over, putting a paw on Alastair’s shoe.

“Marie will look after her. I need to gather a few things anyway.”

“Do you mind if we take a hackney? My home isn’t far, and for your sake, it will be more discreet than a Merrick carriage.”

She nodded, wiping the corners of her eyes. “I’ll be down shortly.”

Marie had remained impassive when asked to pack a portmanteau with some essentials for an overnight stay and did so, her back stiff with disapproval. After helping Octavia freshen up, she stood at the door with her arms crossed, regarding her sternly.

“What are you up to, Miss Octavia?”

“It’s not what you think, Marie. I’m just so miserable, and I asked Alastair if I could stay in Ovington Square tonight so I don’t have to be alone. He understands how I feel, although he was very reluctant to agree. You’ll care for Freya until tomorrow, won’t you? Please, Marie…I’m just so miserable, and he is helping set things to rights.”

Her expression softened. “Let Major Fairfax leave by the front, and I will go open up your brother’s apartments. The door to the outside is unattended, and I will leave the key in the lock. No one will be the wiser. You must return early, though, and use that same entrance. Your chamber door will remain closed because you are indisposed.”

“Oh, thank you, Marie. That is an excellent plan. And you won’t tell Lady Amelia?” she asked hopefully.

“That is between you and your mother, Miss Octavia.”

By the time the hackney carriage pulled into Ovington Square and stopped at Alastair’s house, Octavia felt too drained to feel excitement. She didn’t even have the energy to wonder if she’d done something very foolish. They had both been quiet on the ride; at one point, her hand had crept across the seat, and his large warm one closed around it.

He got out and helped her down, taking her portmanteau and paying the driver. She stood looking at the tall plaster and brick building, decorated with iron balconies, and Alastair looked at her with concern.