Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Although Octavia knew what she was looking at, she struggled to comprehend it fully. So strange, so unexpected was this sight, that if she did not know any better, she might have said that she was dreaming.
No… that is not fair. Once, perhaps, I might have thought that way, but that was then, and this is now.
They returned to the mansion following their trip into the markets.
Once they arrived back home, Octavia fully expected the Duke to make some claim about work he needed to do, and then quickly depart.
She knew the effort it had taken him to join them today, even if it was only for a couple of hours, so she would not hold it against him for leaving them now.
However, when Octavia said that she was going to have a picnic in the back garden with the two boys, the Duke said without so much as a pause that he would join then.
She did not have to ask. Aaron did not have to beg. There was no expectation attached. Yet, he chose to forgo his work schedule and spend time with his son… and with her.
“Careful, Henry!” Octavia cried out suddenly.
She was seated on a picnic blanket while the two boys climbed a nearby tree. Henry hung from a branch, a little too high up for her liking, while Aaron watched from the ground. Although Aaron was chaotic and foolhardy, he balked at the idea of climbing so high.
“I’ll get him…” The Duke had been standing back, watching the two boys play, but he hurried toward the tree as Henry dangled.
“Henry, don’t –” Octavia bit into her lip, panic taking her as Henry kicked his feet and laughed.
“Hold on,” the Duke said as he came underneath Henry. “I’ve got you.”
Octavia’s heart swelled when she watched the Duke wrap his arms around Henry and hoist him from the tree. Henry laughed and the Duke chuckled, and she very nearly burst into tears.
Henry was barely four when their father had died, so he had no memory of him. And to see the Duke treating him this way, acting like a father might… it was more than she could take.
He really has changed…
“No!” Aaron shouted when the Duke put Henry down on the ground. “Not fair!” Aaron charged Henry and shoved him to the ground.
“Henry!” Octavia cried out in surprise.
“Aaron,” the Duke snapped.
“He’s my father!” Aaron shouted as he shoved Henry again. “Not yours!”
Octavia saw her little brother get shoved to the ground. She took note of the anger that crossed his face. She saw the rage, just as she knew what was about to happen. Henry might not have been violent, but he had grown up in difficult circumstances, and he knew how to defend himself.
Oh no…
Before Octavia had a chance to sweep in and stop what was sure to be a most awkward situation, the Duke stepped between the two boys. He lifted his son under the arms and dropped him on his feet, then he crouched down and held out his arms to separate them before they came to blows.
She could not hear what was being said, but that did not matter. It was what she saw that had Octavia’s chest tightening, her eyes welling with tears, and her world turning.
The Duke spoke plainly to the two boys. First, to Aaron, his expression was severe but not angry. Next, he turned to Henry, the look on his face softer. After that, he stood and took a step back, leaving room for the two boys to come together.
Octavia held her breath… and then she gasped.
Aaron stepped toward Henry, he said something to her little brother, and then he hugged him. Henry accepted the hug, they pulled away, they laughed together, and they sprinted through the garden as if nothing had happened.
The Duke watched them go, a smile on his face, pride reflected in his eyes. He turned to find Octavia watching, and rather than shying away, he shrugged as if it was no big deal.
Such scenes should have brought joy to Octavia. It was proof that the Duke was changing, that he was honest about wanting to be a better man and a better father. It was also proof of her effect on him. But that was the problem.
It was getting harder to ignore what was happening between her and the Duke. What had started as an affair of attraction had slowly transformed into something more.
Her heart broke to think about what might happen when the six months were finished. Would she be asked to leave? Would she be asked to stay on? Could she possibly remain here, living day to day with a man whom she was coming to… to fall in love with.
No, Octavia. That is not how you feel. It cannot be! You enjoy his company, you like seeing who he has become. But love? Do not be absurd!
She forced herself to believe this. She refused to accept the truth. But the way the Duke looked at her across the garden, how it felt in her soul when his eyes looked at her… such truths were becoming harder to ignore.