Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

“ I s the matter of your impending marriage weighing heavily on your mind?” The Dowager Countess of Langhall drew Octavia’s attention back to the soiree with her gentle voice.

The older woman of fifty was wearing an off-white dress with as little adornment as possible. The color complemented her light complexion and rosy cheeks.

Octavia let out a heavy sigh before sipping her punch and surveying the rest of the guests.

How did I allow myself to get caught up in all of this?

She secretly berated her cousin for not trusting her enough and telling her of her plans to run away. If Isolde had told her before acting so rashly, Octavia would have at least been able to go with her, or even help.

Turning her uncommonly deep blue eyes on her godmother, Octavia repeated her sigh and flipped the loose lengths of her raven hair over her shoulder. She had chosen her signature style of having her hair half pinned to the back of her head with bottom sections cascading down her back.

“I just wish that Isolde would have trusted me enough to tell me of her plans. At least then I would have been able to prepare myself for what followed. I feel like a child who got lost in the woods after being abandoned.”

She smoothed the folds of her dark blue dress down her sides and shook her head. Her slender figure and ample bosom complimented the sheer fabric of her dress.

“I know that you and Isolde have always been close, and I also know that you regard her as a younger sister more than a cousin, but I am sure she had her reasons,” Matilda tried to reason with Octavia as she too sipped on her glass of punch.

The women had chosen a semi-quiet corner beside the refreshment table to discuss the matters at hand. None of the other guests seemed to pay them much mind besides the occasional glances and greetings.

“The point is that we are family, and family sticks together instead of running off in the dead of night.” She feigned annoyance while worrying about her cousin at the back of her mind.

What was Isolde so afraid of telling her that she felt the need to keep her in the dark? It was entirely out of character for someone as sensitive and caring as her cousin to leave on a whim and not let any of them know where she was headed. A small part of her wondered what else had happened to drive her cousin into hiding.

“That may be so, but I am more interested in the fact that you even agreed to a match with the duke. I know that you never fancied marrying.”

Matilda’s light brown eyes sparkled mischievously over the rim of her glass as she eyed her goddaughter. Being only slightly shorter than Octavia, who was a tall young woman, she tilted her head up with a knowing smile.

“If you are implying that I am in any way attracted to that cold man, you are mistaken. He may be attractive as the rumors say, but that does not make up for the fact that everyone also says he is a pompous beast. You know very well that I have wanted to put off any kind of marriage prospects for as long as I possibly can. It was a blessing that Uncle Jack even allowed Isolde to accept a proposal before I did.”

She turned back to the rest of the guests in an attempt to distract her mind.

A string quartet played a soft tune in the background while the rest of the guests filled in through the ballroom doors. Although the soirees at the Nordshire manor were something of an exclusive event, it never stopped Lady Nordshire from inviting half of the ton .

I should have asked to live abroad years ago, so I would not have to marry the Duke now.

“Lady Langhall, it’s such a pleasure to see you here this evening. I see you have brought the stunning Lady Octavia with you,” the Countess of Nordshire approached the two women in her lavish dress and curtsied.

Matilda and Octavia curtsied in unison to their hostess.

“The pleasure is all ours, Lady Nordshire; we would not dream of missing one of your soirees. They are legendary after all.” Matilda smiled warmly at the older woman.

Lady Nordshire was dressed from head to toe in bright green with peacock feathers sticking out the top of her elaborate hairdo. Her aristocratic features gave her an almost abnormally long nose.

“Thank you, that is ever so kind of you. And I hear that congratulations are in order, Lady Octavia. I know that your parents would have been so pleased with a man as handsome as the Duke of Sunderley. Many a young lady has tried to catch his attention and failed. You must tell me what won him over in the end?”

Perhaps those young ladies need to have their heads examined.

Octavia bit back the reply that lingered on the tip of her tongue.

“It was love at first sight—from both sides,” Matilda chimed in before Octavia could respond.

Chocking, Octavia coughed and placed her hand over her mouth before glaring at her godmother.

“Is that so? Where was that first romantic meeting?” Lady Nordshire asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

Octavia glanced at her godmother, who soon intervened, “Oh, my goddaughter tells me that there was a private dinner. There, she laid eyes upon His Grace, and the rest is history.”

“Ah, I see. Of course, we all know that you are the belle of every ball that you attend, Lady Octavia. It is only natural that the Duke would have fallen in love with you. Your beauty is never exaggerated when spoken of among the ton . You make quite the fetching couple; I only wonder why it took him so long?” Lady Nordshire smiled with a far-off look in her eyes.

Octavia was about to correct their hostess when Matilda once again took over the conversation. “Well, naturally they had to wait until the marriage between Isolde and the Duke’s younger brother was settled. It would not have been right for them to steal all of the attention away.”

“Of course not, how silly of me. I am only glad that something good has come to light despite all of the scandals that must be surrounding you all at the moment. I will be waiting for my invitation to your wedding, Lady Octavia. Now if you would both excuse me, I see there are more of my guests who are waiting,” Lady Nordshire winked at Matilda before sauntering off.

“Would you care to explain?” Octavia rounded on her godmother almost as soon as the woman was out of earshot.

Hooking her arm into Octavia’s, Matilda began to lead her away from the rest of the guests until they reached a quiet corner at the back of the room. “I know that I cannot trust you to respond without sarcasm in situations such as this, but I also had another reason.”

“Was that reason that you have suddenly come down with a mysterious illness that affected your understanding of the truth?” Octavia cocked her head to the side and glared at the woman who had been a motherly figure to her since she was eight.

Matilda smiled at her in the way that she always did when she was enjoying Octavia’s over-the-top reactions. “I do not have to speak to your uncle or even to the Duke and his family to know that there is a very good reason behind the sudden marriage. I was only trying to lay the groundwork for you.”

Shutting her eyes, Octavia shook her head and let out a deep sigh, wondering for the hundredth time how things had changed so quickly.

“I apologize if I sound curt, godmother. You have done nothing but helped thus far. Thank you,” Octavia said as she opened her eyes; despite everything that was happening, Matilda deserved her gratitude.

“Think nothing of it, my child,” Matilda responded warmly.

Octavia glanced around the room wistfully. She had been dreaming of traveling—possibly being a spinster until her uncle Jack came and ripped the rug from under her feet. She had put up a fight before agreeing, but in the end, she knew it was all for Isolde’s sake after all. So, she had to agree.

Deep in her heart, she knew that she still held out hope that Isolde would return and marry Augustus.

“Lady Nordshire is correct in assuming that there is a myriad of scandals and gossip now surrounding both families. While it would not be possible to stop the gossip entirely, it would cunning to distract from the stories with an even better one.” Matilda’s face lit up as realization dawned on Octavia.

“I know that I must to play the part of the doting fiancé and wife. To clear the good names of our families, at least.”

Octavia felt her rebellious nature kicking against the concept of being a demure lady of the ton . The last thing she wanted in life was to be submissive and raise a bunch of children in a loveless marriage.

“Even you must admit that it is quite a clever idea. You have always said that you know you must marry eventually. If you are not looking for love, then why not marry the Duke now and play the part of a besotted lover? You love a good adventure, and I keep telling you that there are plenty of ways to gain your freedom in the confines of marriage,” Matilda lowered her voice and smiled at a few of the guests who were passing.

“Confines and freedom are not words that complement each other,” Octavia suddenly felt her chest tightening as she listened to her godmother speak.

As her mother’s oldest friend, Matilda had always been in Octavia’s life as something of a mentor and even a friend. Her schemes and ability to bend the rules of the ton had often amused Octavia. Yet she could not help but feel constricted and uneasy when the plans and rule-bending involved her directly.

Softening toward Octavia, Matilda raised her hand and stroked the girl’s cheek. “I know things may seem quite scary at present, but I promise that I will be there to guide you every step of the way.”

Octavia felt her heart softening a little despite her fear and reservations. “Thank you, I think I just need a bit of fresh air. Everything is happening so quickly; it’s all a little overwhelming.”

“I understand, as long you do not allow the fear to overwhelm you. You have always been a strong young woman. Remember who you are, and I know that you will be able to face anything that comes your way.” Matilda offered her a warm smile and patted her cheek before stepping aside and allowing her to pass.

Marriage offers a different kind of freedom.

She tried to reassure herself as she picked her way through the throng of guests and headed toward an open balcony.

For all her bravery and lust for adventure, Octavia had never pictured herself giving up on her dreams of traveling so soon.

Perhaps the Duke will allow me to travel with my maid or even a companion of his choosing.

The crisp evening air kissed her skin as attempts to reassure herself failed.

It is for Isolde’s sake , she reminded herself, once when she returns, or if she ever does, she would wish to marry someone of her choosing.

By marrying the Duke of Sunderley, the ton would soon forget about her cousin’s disappearance.

And soon enough, Isolde would come home.

As Octavia looked up at the moon, she held on to the hope that it was not all in vain.