“Then why won’t they just say so?”
“Perhaps because it is none of our affair.”
“It is all of our affair. They’re just so... frustrating. You know very well things can go wrong again. One misunderstanding and it falls apart.”
“It’s their business to deal with. Leave them to it.”
“Do you know if they’re... you know?”
“Redecorating?”
“Don’t be facetious, Julius. You know very well what I mean.”
“And that is absolutely none of our affair.”
“We can’t have this not work,” Octavia said sharply. “If this fails, for whatever reason, Caius will leave, and I don’t think he’ll come back. This reconciliation has to work. There is no other option, and they are both emotionally raw.”
“They’re fine.”
“How do you know that?”
“Well, is she crying?”
“I swear your marriage is going to fare very badly if that is your threshold for fine.”
“Curiously, you are the only one who doesn’t have an actual or potential marriage to stick your nose into.”
Octavia narrowed her eyes. Julius honestly didn’t care a whit about her marrying or not—he was only using this to change the subject. “Don’t you worry, I’m well placed to determine someone suitable for me. And it’s something I can lend myself to when I know you two idiots aren’t shooting yourselves in the foot.”
“Myself and Cressida are perfectly matched,” Julius stated.
“I dare say you are.” It wasn’t a compliment. Octavia would have chosen someone much different for her brother, but he was intent on someone like Cressida, or rather someone of her caliber. In light of that, Cressida wasn’t the worst option. It was probably her snobbery that appealed to Julius. It left a bad taste in Octavia’s mouth imagining it was what attracted Julius. But he had funny notions, ones she didn’t always understand. At times, she even wondered if Julius felt marrying someone like Cressida was a sacrifice he was making for the benefit of the family name. It wasn’t necessary, but he carried the burden of the family name more heavily than he needed to. From that perspective, she was an excellent choice.
It was difficult to consider that Cressida would effectively be her sister. It wasn’t something Octavia was enthusiastic about. Being unmarried, she was under her father’s care, which meant they would live together, and as a result, spend a great deal of time together in the same house. Luckily, it was a large house. Even so, Octavia would be expected to keep her company.
If it was intolerance, she could ask Caius to offer her a room at Bickerley Hall. But it would be unnecessary. This year was the year she would meet her husband, she was sure of it. And right now, she wondered if James Fervoy might be the one. His dark complexion was growing on her. She’d seen him as too immature before, but he was maturing. It was an interesting prospect, and she was a little curious how he would act this season. If he had indeed put some of his more youthful tendencies to side, he could be a very interesting prospect indeed.
“You should probably go tidy yourself before we must leave for the party.” It was true for herself as well. Tonight, she would be debuting her new deep cerulean-colored dress. The material had been presented to her in the spring and it had taken her some time to find the right design for it. When the dress was finished, it had been wonderful, the silk showing both green and blue hues. It was her favorite dress at the moment, and she’d saved it for the first proper evening in town.
Julius checked his pocket watch, then replaced it into the small pocket on his waistcoat. “Right,” he said, absently finishing the last of his tea. “I hope it’s not one of those evenings when we have to wait until midnight to eat supper.”
“I suspect Lord Forthill’s constitution will lend itself to a much earlier supper.”
“Thank goodness for that. Without supper, I’ll be right pickled before hors d'oeuvres are served.”
That could well be disastrous, Octavia thought.
*
The Forthill residence was well lit when they slowly arrived in the line of carriages. It was quite a sizeable party, it seemed. Lord Forthill cared about his perception, so it would be a well-planned party with fine wines and sumptuous food. The fineness of the house also showed that the Forthills wished to convey their place in society. No detail was overlooked.
The Hennington family had cared too at some point. As it was now, their father was too cantankerous to wish to impress anyone. But with Cressida at his side, Julius would be obliged to make more effort with societal obligations.
The family was receiving the guests and Lord Forthill was pleased to see them. He approved of the match for his daughter too, so they were in accord. “Julius, so lovely you could make it,” Mr. Forthill said and greeted him like a long-lost friend. Perhaps they were friends now.
“Miss Forthill, you look marvelous,” Octavia said.
“Such a beautiful gown,” Cressida said with a bright smile. “You do have a good eye for design. You will have to help me with my wardrobe.”
Confidante, consultant and slave was no doubt how Cressida would see her once she and Julius were married. “Of course.”
“Your brother is coming now, I think,” Cressida said and they looked back to see Caius and Eliza arriving. If it wasn’t for Julius’ engagement to the daughter of this family, it was unlikely either of them would have agreed to come. Social excursions didn’t appeal to either of them, so it was nice that they had both come, smiling as they approached.
“Perfect timing,” Caius said. “The entire Hennington clan descends.”
“And you are all most welcome,” Lord Forthill said. “I hope you will enjoy the evening. No doubt it will be the first of many. Why don’t you join
