Octavia was coming closer and she would see them through the window as her advance took her to the nearby door. Cool air stole into the room as the door opened. “Winter is soon here,” she said.
“We were just discussing our departure,” Melville said. It had clearly been something they’d discussed, and the frown on her face suggested she was the one who had prevented it.
“Although you have my deepest gratitude, you must both return to your lives. It will be a dull winter out here,” Finn said. She kept looking at him, but didn’t say anything. Her cheeks were rosy from the cool air and her eyes bright. The walk had done her well, and he wished he could have joined her for it—even as their conversation was awkward and stilted most of the time. It was Melville who kept the conversation going.
But it wasn’t Eliza causing the awkwardness. In all honesty, Finn had stopped thinking about her for quite a while now, so the awkwardness with Octavia stemmed from something else entirely.
“And you shall spend winter here all by yourself?” she said.
“While I heal, yes. I am fully capable of spending a few months alone.”
“Yes, but you’ll kill your manservant doing it.”
That was a point. The constant care was tiring for Mr. Fuller. It was true. Still, the man would never hear of bringing in another to help. “In a month, I think I’ll be well enough to make my way to London.”
“It would be days of travel the rate you would have to go at,” she said.
“The man is capable of making decisions for himself,” Melville said. The domestic arrangement discussions he sometimes had with her were not really typical conversations with guests, but her advice had been both useful and necessary. Compared to her, he knew very little about running a house. A feature about himself he hadn’t known until she’d started asking questions.
“You would be much better coming to Denham Hall,” she stated. “You would be a guest and well cared for during your convalescence. The house is well-staffed, and there would be plenty of diversions. Julius is returning very soon, and we can both keep an eye on you.”
“I don’t need you to keep an eye on me.” Included with the awkwardness was a tendency to bristle at the things she said, which didn’t happen with anyone else. “Within time, I’ll make it to London.”
“Denham is on the way, so you can stop there on your journey. Julius would be happy to see you. I know he will be concerned when he hears what’s happened. So you might as well come say hello and then be on your way when you’re stronger.”
It was like arguing with a rock.
“Besides, Mr. Fuller is getting exhausted,” she said in a hushed voice. She had a blasted point. How was it that she was at the same time utterly unreasonable and also right?
“Fine, I’ll rest on my way to London,” he conceded, although it hurt him to do so. Annoyingly, she was right in her argument.
“Excellent,” she said in a way that suggested he’d finally seen reason. “I think lunch must be ready soon. I’ll go check.”
“How do you win an argument with her?” he asked out of frustration when she’d left the room.
“I find it altogether best not to try,” Melville said with a chuckle. “Mostly, I simply run away, but that is not within your remit right now.”
Taking himself off would give Mr. Fuller a much-needed rest. Saying that, he wasn’t gladly a guest in people’s houses. He liked his own space, but yes, the idea of spending the winter here alone might be a bit much.
“I understand Miss Lydia Forthill will be there. From what I hear, she’s has a bit of a tenderness for you.” So they had been discussing that too, it seemed.
“Is there anything else Octavia has mentioned?”
“Your larder’s atrocious, apparently.”
Finn inhaled and sighed. “I’m sure she’s remedied that.”
“Her suggestion that you rest at Denham is a good one. It would break up the journey, and you’ll be well cared for while you’re there. Lord Hennington stays at Denham through winter. He deplores London, so the house is relatively well furnished for colder weather.”
Yes, it made sense, Finn had to agree. He didn’t want to, but he would likely kill Mr. Fuller if he stayed. Luckily, with a broken back, he had the perfect excuse for not attending any social engagements this winter, but he could attend some of the investment meetings he wished to. It was quite encouraging to think of the future. Each day, he would get stronger, and this injury would fade from prominence. His whole life had been surrounded by this injury and what it had taken to survive it, and he looked forward to those days.
“I do wonder if Julius has found wedded bliss,” Melville said. “A honeymoon does seem important in setting the tone for a marriage. The Forthills are high tempered, but Julius can be onerous too. Perhaps it’s the perfect match.”
Chapter 23
THE CARRIAGE WAS TRAVELING very slowly, and although Fortescue sat stiffly in his brace for a good portion of it, eventually he lay down across the bed, which suited him better.
Octavia sat with Melville on the other bench. The weather wasn’t much to rejoice at, but it was good to be heading home. Melville had been a sport staying with her, but he couldn’t rightly abandon her either. It had been his duty to stay, and he’d been as good-natured about it as he could. Still, he’d missed his friends and activities. Melville was a city creature in every regard. With him, his interest was very much with people, rather than with scenery and objects. It made him the most sociable person
