Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

“ W here the devil have you been all evening?” Simon strode toward Arthur, smirking at him.

Turning to Simon with a look of surprise, Arthur laughed. “Hiding from you, of course. I am looking to find eligible young ladies seeking company. I didn’t think your sour countenance would help.” He smirked triumphantly before downing the rest of his drink.

“Will you ever learn your lesson when it comes to strong drink?” Simon shook his head in disapproval, relaxing in the company of his eldest friend.

Arthur was a good man at heart, despite his rakish ways, and Simon was glad to count him as a friend.

Rolling his eyes, Arthur placed his drink on the tray of a passing footman. “Tell me, Simon; are you my friend or my father? I would say that marriage has changed you, but you’ve been a stick in the mud since Eton.”

Enjoying their usual biting banter, Simon folded his arms across his chest and leaned against a pillar. “If that were the case, women would be flocking to your side at all times. I think you need to look a little closer to home to find the true cause of your dry spell.” His remark caused Arthur to laugh uproariously.

“I’m glad to see that Octavia hasn’t broken your sense of humor. How is married life treating you?” Arthur changed the conversation, reaching for a glass of champagne just as a footman passed.

Allowing his eyes to wander over the guests, the Duke spotted his wife from across the room as she made polite conversation with others.

“It is as I expected. Octavia does surprise me from time to time, but she is discreet about our marriage.”

“Gosh, that does sound awfully boring. You reinforce my desire never to marry.” He sighed heavily and shook his head, scanning the rest of the crowd for eligible partners.

Running his tongue over his lips, Simon glanced back at his wife.

It isn’t boring.

He thought of the incident in the tree, her fierce stubbornness, and the afternoon at the pool. His life was anything but boring since she had come along. He wasn’t about to admit it to his best friend, but Octavia was beginning to change more than just his garden and home.

His heart jolted wildly when she locked eyes with him from across the room. Her lips curved into a gentle smile of acknowledgment before she turned back to her conversation.

Why does she affect me like this?

He ran his tongue over his lips again before shaking off the unwanted thoughts.

“You know what? I think I can use you to my advantage this evening. Or at least your marriage.” Arthur suddenly drew his attention back to their conversation with a mischievous smirk.

“What do you mean?” Simon pushed himself off of the pillar and frowned, not liking the look in his friend’s eyes.

“I did happen to overhear a few ladies speaking of your marriage this evening. Your sudden and unexpected love story with the new duchess has caused quite a few ladies to swoon this evening.” Arthur chuckled deeply before placing his empty glass on a passing tray and angling himself toward a group of women.

Before Simon could even protest, Arthur had gripped him by the elbow and pushed him toward the group.

“Good evening, ladies, may my friend and I keep you company while his wife makes the rounds?” The corners of his mouth hooked into a charming smile as he placed his hands behind his back.

The women all sucked in a sharp breath when they turned to see Simon at Arthur’s side.

I’ll get you for this.

Simon glared at his friend before forcing a smile. It wasn’t the first time that Arthur had used him as bait for attracting women. Yet Simon hadn’t thought that he’d use his marriage, or at least the mystery surrounding it. “Good evening.” He bowed low and clenched his jaw.

“It’s such a pleasure to see you and the Duchess here this evening, Your Grace.” A blonde woman with brown eyes and a light pink dress suddenly began to blush as she fanned her face vigorously.

“I thought it was about time that they made an appearance,” Arthur chimed in immediately, making sure to hold the woman’s gaze, making himself the center of attention despite Simon’s presence. “I had to practically drag them away from their country estate. You know how those honeymoon years can be. I almost began to fear that I’d never see my friend ever again.”

Relenting to the situation, Simon allowed Arthur to spin a web of lies based on his marriage.

“I was there when everything was still a secret you know. I helped them sneak around, arranging distractions at balls and intimate family gatherings. Of course, we had to be discreet; we couldn’t allow the love that was so innocent and pure to overshadow the love between her cousin and His Grace’s brother.” Arthur held his head high, sniffing importantly with a faked look of humility.

As if anyone would buy that story.

Simon smirked, trying his best not to laugh yet enjoying his friend’s wild tales. If anything, the stories that Arthur was spinning would help the rest of the ton to believe their lie.

“I can’t believe that men like you exist,” The blonde fanned herself so vigorously that Simon was afraid she would faint. Her cheeks filled with color as her eyes sparkled. “To think, perhaps they wouldn’t have gotten together if it hadn’t been for your bravery and selflessness.”

It wasn’t exactly a war…

The urge to give his friend away in the game was almost too strong to resist, yet Simon held back and attempted not to laugh.

Arthur sighed heavily and attempted to look as humble as possible. “There were days when things were really tough; I gave up such a large portion of my own life to ensure their happiness. Yet I couldn’t leave my oldest friend in the lurch when he was in love. I was always there to act as a chaperone, of course; the Duke is nothing but a stickler for propriety.”

“You poor dear, I can’t think of anything braver than offering oneself up in the name of love. It must have been dreadful knowing that their families could catch you at any time.” The blonde shut her fan, placing her hand on Arthur’s arm. I hope that the Duke and Duchess know what a gem of a friend they have in you.” She all but ignored Simon as if he weren’t even there.

“That they do,” he patted her hand gently before giving her gloved fingers a firm squeeze. “They often remind me how none of this would have been possible if it hadn’t been for me.”

Simon was practically bursting with laughter. He wasn’t sure how Arthur had managed it, yet the young woman had fallen, hook, line, and sinker for his story.

“I think you deserve a bit of respite; would you care to join me for a drink?” Her thin lips curled into a seductive smile as she curled her fingers around his arm.

Arthur perked up considerably. “I would be delighted to accompany a young woman as elegant as you are, my dear.” Nodding at Simon when the blonde looked in the opposite direction, Arthur wriggled his eyebrows triumphantly.

“You’re such a cad,” Simon whispered to his friend and shook his head, chuckling under his breath as he watched them leave.

“It’s quite a change to see you laughing at a social event.” Bernice suddenly appeared at Simon’s side, following his gaze to where Arthur had escorted his date to the table of refreshments.

Simon kept his eyes fixed on Arthur for a while before addressing his grandmother. “Is it a crime to enjoy the company of my oldest friend?”

“No, but I recall a young man who wouldn’t have been caught dead at one of these events. Yet here you are smiling and laughing, thoroughly enjoying yourself. Although young Arthur Eagleton is quite the amusing young man, I find myself wondering if there isn’t perhaps another reason for your change in demeanor.” Bernice smiled knowingly at him.

Considering his grandmother’s words, Simon lifted his gaze and scanned the room for Octavia. His heart jolted in his chest when he spotted her from across the room. She seemed to be enthralled in deep conversation with a pale young man of average height and medium build.

Octavia’s laughter filled the air like the soft tolling of bells on a summer’s breeze as she listened intently to something that the man was saying.

She’s never laughed like that with me.

He suddenly felt the urge to march to her side and lay claim to what was his.

Placing her cane on his arm, Bernice held him back as if she could read his thoughts. “It will not do you any good to barge in on her conversations. Interrupt if you must, but do not cause a scene.”

“I couldn’t care less what the rest of the ton thinks,” he grumbled under his breath and clenched his jaw as he removed the tip of his grandmother’s cane from his arm.

“It is not the ton that concerns me. I do not think that the newly crowned duchess would look kindly on any displays of barbarism. Octavia is not one of the simple-minded young ladies who would fall for stories of faked heroism. Octavia is more level-headed than that,” Bernice finished and leaned on her cane.

Simon came up straight and took a deep breath, heeding his grandmother’s advice as he watched Octavia laugh.

Why does it make me so angry?

Octavia laughed heartily at Timothy’s joke.

It had been ages since she’d seen him. He’d often regaled her with stories as a child that would have her bent over double with fits of laughter.

“You haven’t changed a bit.” She paused for a breath and composed herself.

“And I am glad that your godmother decided to greet some of her guests, I never would have been able to tell that story in front of her. You know Matilda has always frightened me. She once scolded me for spilling some punch on your dress when we were six, and I almost swooned like a debutant from fright.” He raised his eyebrows and straightened his collar as if it were tight.

She couldn’t help but laugh again as she shook her head at her childhood friend. “Honestly, Timothy, Matilda isn’t all that bad; she’s been my dearest friend for so many years.”

His light brown eyes softened as he ran his fingers through his mop of sandy-brown hair. “I know. You were lucky to have someone who raised you like a mother and supports you like a friend.”

“That she has.” Octavia found herself sobering up with the fond memories of her childhood.

Despite the tragedy of losing her parents at such a young age, Matilda and her uncle had ensured a proper upbringing for her. The Reed family had been old friends of Matilda’s, and Timothy and his parents had often accompanied them on holidays.

“It’s good to see you looking so well; I just can’t believe that you’re married now. You were always such a free spirit. What of your ambitions to travel?” Timothy smiled at her again, cocking his head to the side in a question.

“Believe it or not, the Duke has promised to take me traveling. We haven’t planned our first trip as of yet, but I do know that Scotland will be first on my list. I miss the grassy highlands and the cloudy skies. I want to accompany another hunting party through the peat and moss.”

Her heart soured a little as she thought of the days she’d visited Scotland with her aunt.

Timothy pursed his lips and made a face that didn’t sit quite right with Octavia. “I’m surprised to hear that the Duke is allowing such freedom. He’s always come off as quite a stick in the mud.”

Octavia cleared her throat at his remark, feeling the pit of her stomach churn with unease. Timothy had never been one to say anything untoward about anyone at all, yet he seemed to speak so nastily of a man that he’d never even met to her knowledge.

“I must tell you that I do not believe a word of any of this nonsense about you and the Duke being in love.” Timothy waved the idea away and made a face of disgust.

“And why is that?” Octavia kept calm, reminding herself that Timothy was an old friend.

“Just look at the man; he prowls around London like a bear with a sore foot who thinks he owns the place. What right has he to be so superior?” His words came off as bitter as the man scowled.

“He is a duke, after all, and I think that Simon is very much misunderstood when it comes to his countenance. He’s a good man.” She forced a smile when a group of guests passed them.

Timothy rolled his eyes as if he didn’t believe her.

“You do not have to defend the man in front of me, Octavia. Anyone with two eyes in their head can see that the marriage was arranged to hide the fact that his younger brother and your cousin ran away. I almost choked on my drink early when I heard the whispers of true love earlier this evening.”

I wish you had choked.

She discreetly clenched her fist at her, growing annoyed with Timothy’s unkind words. Had he always been this judgmental and nasty? Or had his character developed poorly over the years?

“Then there are the rumors regarding his parents, I know that I would never walk around with such an air of superiority knowing that my parents had entertained half of London in their beds…”

Octavia had finally had enough when her resolve snapped. “That is if any woman would warm your bed.” She forced a polite smile that barely hid the deep breath she used to compose herself.

“I beg your pardon?” Timothy seemed taken aback as if she’d slapped him.

“I was only joking of course. What you do in your spare time is entirely your own business; just like the rumors of his parents, it is a private matter. Besides, I do not know why his parents’ behavior would reflect badly on the Duke. He is his own man, is he not? After asking every other person at this ball, I think you would find that nobody wishes to be held accountable for the sins of their parents. Would you like to be held responsible for the generation before you?”

He began to fall over his words, muttering under his breath as his face turned a deep shade of red. “I… I…”

Octavia barely gave him an opportunity to finish his sentence before carrying on. “I know that I certainly would like to be known for my behavior and not that of my parents or guardians. My husband is an honorable man; he has been good to me and my family even before our marriage. I will thank you not to speak of him in such a manner.”

Timothy seemed as if he were about to burst as he frowned in anger.

“Here you are. I have been looking for you everywhere.” Simon came up from behind and placed his hand on Octavia’s elbow.

Looking up in surprise, she felt her breath catching in her chest.

How much of that did he hear?

Simon held her gaze, making her pulse race. “The first dance is about to start; will you join me?” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her gloved fingers.

“I would be delighted,” Octavia responded softly, almost forgetting that Timothy was even there.

Why does he look so angry?

She suddenly realized that his eyes were dark with anger.

Without a word, Simon led her away without so much as a glance in Timothy’s direction as he led her onto the dance floor.