On a day like this, Octavia didn’t feel right leaving the house, and callers were turned away. They did receive invitations and Octavia took on the task of reviewing them, knowing that neither Eliza, nor Caius, wanted to attend any of them. In fairness, she would ask before she wrote rejection letters.
In the afternoon, Teresa arrived and Octavia was happy to receive some company.
“She’s upstairs today,” Octavia said. Teresa immediately knew that it was a bad day for Eliza.
“Turns out Lord Fortescue is bedridden as well,” Teresa said.
“Oh?” Octavia answered, hating how curious she was every time the man’s name was mentioned. But she was genuinely curious. “How so?”
“The letter didn’t specify. You might recall we spoke about the issue of the grate that needs to be replaced.”
Octavia wished she didn’t remember the conversation about rats making their way into the warehouse and nibbling on their stores, but she did.
“Well, we received a missive that stated Lord Fortescue was indisposed due to injury and would be for quite some time.”
“What does that mean? Is he just trying to avoid dealing with it?”
“I don’t think so. He comes running anytime Eliza asks for anything, so I doubt it.”
“Yes, well, there’s that,” Octavia said tartly.
“It has to be something quite severe. That was the impression I received from the letter.”
“Who wrote it?”
“What letter?” Eliza asked, appearing on the landing of the stairs. She looked pale, but not sickly so. “My stomach has settled,” she said as she walked down the stairs. “What letter?”
“We received a letter saying Lord Fortescue cannot attend to any business with regards to the warehouse due to injury, and it suggested it would be some time before he could.”
“Did Lord Fortescue write it?” Eliza asked.
“No, it was someone else. A Mr. Fuller.”
“That has to be a retainer. He has no family,” Eliza added, looking worried.
“Let’s sit down and have some tea,” Octavia suggested, in case Eliza’s worry got the better of her. Octavia also swung between being annoyed that Eliza was concerned, and then also feeling it was concerning. He wasn’t perhaps her favorite person on this earth, but this did sound serious.
“I think in light of this, we will have to take on the task ourselves of fixing the grate,” Teresa said, showing she was as practical as Octavia had always suspected. There wasn’t much sentimentality in her, but then from what she’d heard, Teresa had a hardness to her brought on by ill-treatment.
As Mr. James appeared, Eliza requested tea be brought to them.
“I do hope he’s alright,” Eliza said as she sat down.
Frankly, it sounded like he wasn’t, but Octavia didn’t say that out loud. “I’m sure he’s been seen to by a professional.” That didn’t sound much better, did it?
The distressed look on Eliza’s face showed she was worried. Octavia searched for something to say. “He’s a strong man,” she finally settled on. Too ornery to actually be hurt. Well, the fact was that he was hurt.
“He has no family,” Eliza repeated. “Who’s taking care of him?”
It felt a little like the conversation was going around in circles.
“That is unfortunate. Poor man,” Teresa said. “Now, I’m afraid we have a shipment coming. I must get back. I’ll find someone to deal with the grate.” Whatever affection Eliza had for Lord Fortescue, Teresa didn’t share it. No doubt she thought it was unfortunate, but it wasn’t for her to deal with. It wasn’t for them to deal with.
“We must do something,” Eliza said once Teresa was gone.
In this, Octavia was perhaps with Teresa. “It's not really for us to—”
“If not us, then who?” Eliza shot back. Again, it concerned her that Eliza was so involved with this man. She’d chosen Caius, was carrying his child, but she never quite gave up all of her loyalty to this man who she saw as her friend.
“You certainly can’t go,” Octavia said firmly. “You can barely sit up straight, and for whatever fondness you have for him, you cannot endanger the baby.” Caius would be beside himself if she so much as suggested it.
“You can go,” Eliza said, looking at her expectantly.
“I cannot. I cannot go visiting a man in his house.”
“These are extenuating circumstances. You know Caius wouldn’t do it if I ask.” Oh, so Caius did see the risk in the man, after all.
“Would not do what?” Caius asked, appearing at the door.
“Lord Fortescue has been injured,” Eliza said.
“That is a misfortune,” Caius replied.
“I was just saying that someone should go see that he’s cared for,” Eliza said. “I know it’s unusual, but I’m worried he isn’t sufficiently cared for.”
“The man is very wealthy,” Caius said. “I’m sure he is getting the best care.”
“Provided someone is organizing it. I’m just concerned. And he has become well acquainted with Julius. Julius would likely call on him to see if he was alright, but he’s not here.”
Octavia knew Eliza was angling for Caius to go see to the man’s welfare, which put Caius in an awkward position. Lord Fortescue, too. It was almost delightfully cruel to send the conquering husband to check on the slighted challenger. “Fine, I will go,” Octavia said.
“You cannot go,” Caius stated. “It would be unseemly.” That may be the first time Caius had ever cared for what was seemly. Clearly there was some resentment there.
“I will take Melville with me.”
“Cousin Melville?” Caius said as if it was a ridiculous suggestion.
“He could use a trip out of London.”
“I doubt he would want to.”
“Luckily, Melville does whatever I wish him
