“No buts,” she cut him off. “To bed with you. I will say goodnight to Henry and come and see you in a moment.” She raised a warning eyebrow at the young child. He furrowed his brow as if to argue, but relented.
Once Aaron was gone, she had Henry sit with her on the bed.
“I am sorry you could not join us this evening, Henry,” she said to him. “You know why, I hope?”
He shrugged. “Because we are different.”
“Not different,” she said, taking his hand. “Do not think but. But the Duke and his friends…” She sighed. “They are of a different world to our own, and we must remember that.”
“Aaron is not like them,” Henry argued.
She laughed. “Perhaps not. But you will do well to remember that our time here is not forever, so try not to get too attached.”
The look of sadness on her brother’s face broke Octavia’s heart. She had been so certain that this was their new home, one where they might be able to carve out a life for themselves, a future that had once felt impossible. Now, sadly, the truth was laid bare, and it was time that Octavia accepted it.
Once Henry was tucked into bed, Octavia said goodnight and left him alone to sleep. Then, she started down the hallway toward Aaron’s room.
“Octavia!” a voice called from behind her. “Wait, won’t you?”
Octavia turned, and she smiled when she saw Lady Amberhall coming her way. That smile, however, faded quickly, because despite how much she liked Lady Amberhall, Octavia could not help but see her as an extension of the Duke. Yes, she was kind. Yes, she was friendly. But she was also of the peerage, and they would never truly be close.
“I am so sorry I did not get a chance to speak to you at supper,” Lady Amberhall said. “I wish you were not seated so far away.”
“Oh, it is fine,” Octavia said. “I was tasked with watching over Master Aaron, as is my role.”
Lady Amberhall waved her down. “He is in bed now, yes? Will you be joining us for a drink?”
Oh, how Octavia wanted to say yes. Lady Amberhall sounded sincere, even eager, and maybe she was. But, once again, Octavia could not ignore the feeling that this made no difference in the grand scheme of things. Why get her hopes up when they were sure to come crashing down?
“Maybe,” she offered. “I will see once I finish putting Master Aaron to bed.”
“Please, do.” She took Octavia’s hands. “I mean… that gown!” Her eyes flashed as she looked Octavia over, and Octavia flushed bright pink. “Where did it come from?”
“Nowhere,” Octavia said with some embarrassment. “It is… a family heirloom.”
Lady Amberhall looked at her as if she did not believe it. “Is that right? Whoever this family member was, they had quite an eye.” She winked knowingly. “I will see you shortly, I hope. Oh, and I must say again, you look divine.” She leaned in and kissed Octavia on the cheek before hurrying away.
Octavia slunk down the hallway, feeling worse off than ever. It was so hard to believe that earlier this evening she had buzzed with excitement, brimmed with confidence, and spent more than a few hours picturing her life and where it might lead should things tonight go well.
Now, to think about such things made her feel sick.
It was thus a surprise to her when she came upon Aaron’s open bedroom door, only to hear a male voice speaking softly from within the room. She frowned as she listened, creeping closer, and her eyes widened when she realized what she was hearing.
It was the Duke, and he was not speaking so much as he was reading.
Octavia crept to the doorway, and she did not hide the look of surprise on her face when she found the Duke seated on Aaron’s bed, reading his son a bedtime story.
I never would have guessed… not in one million years.
Aaron looked at his father with utmost infatuation. Love shone from his eyes so that Octavia felt it across the room. And the Duke, while he had his back facing her, appeared completely lost in the story, reading to his son as if this was the hundredth time he had done so.
“Miss Finch!” Aaron said when he saw Octavia lurking.
The Duke turned, saw her there, and smiled knowingly. Octavia’s cheeks flushed, embarrassment felt as if she was doing something wrong. She thought about turning and leaving, but knew that was not an option. So, with no choice, she stepped into the room…
“I hope I am not interrupting,” she said, watching the Duke closely for his reaction, sure he would suddenly act dismissively.
“Not at all,” he said as he groaned, shut the book, and stood. “I was just keeping Aaron entertained until you came by.”