“Oh, how I wish I could go there myself.” Beatrix and Harry were curious children. “Aunt Olivia informs me there are girls’ schools as well. Might I be able to attend one, Papa?”
I narrowed my eyes at Olivia, yet another thing we needed to discuss. She stepped over the bounds of what was in her purview sometimes, however, if I were to make her my wife, she would take over the girls’ education. Something inside me balked at that. I enjoyed every moment with my daughters, good or bad, yet raising children was supposed to be part of a woman’s realm Ironic considering Olivia thought the lines between men and women should be blurred. I happened to agree with her, and with a nod, I said, “We will look into it for you. If that is your wish.”
“Thank you!” Her serious face lit up, and Beatrix threw herself at me. I hugged her closely. Soon, she would be too old for me to pick her up, and her childhood would disappear. For me, it had seemed to flee before I even knew it.
“Olivia, might I have a word alone with you?” It was time to do my duty to my daughters and propose to her. After my year of sowing wild oats had turned to two, it was time to resume my responsibility.
“Why don’t you girls go outside and tell me if you find any butterflies.” Lady Olivia was an enthusiast for getting the girls to do activities beyond the drawing room. I thought it was healthyfor the girls to get exercise as well. We agreed with each other, yet another reason to marry her.
With a flurry of skirts and much chattering, they exited the French doors leading to the garden. Clouds once more obscured the sun, muting the drawing room’s light.
I turned to look at Olivia, who was still seated. Inhaling a calming breath, I willed my racing heart to stop beating and knelt before her feet. She frowned at the gesture before her face seemed to transform into recognition. I reached into my pocket and withdrew an emerald ring that had once belonged to my mother. Mary had been buried with her ruby snake ring, a symbol of everlasting life. It had gone to her grave with her as a talisman to protect her.
“I would like to start by apologizing to you. I know I have not been myself lately.”
“Well, you’ve always been a part, even more so of late. And I know why, you’ve been avoiding me.”
“Yes, I have been avoiding you because I’ve been putting off the inevitable. After Mary died, I needed to give myself time to heal. And now I feel that time is here.” I watched her expression, pleased she still regarded me with eager intent. “There is much that binds us together. I didn’t realize how much you meant to me until you said you were leaving. Therefore, I would like to ask you to stay in England and marry me.”
I expected her to say yes immediately. She pressed her lips together, confusion and determination in her gaze. “Are you saying the only reason you want to marry me is so I stay here?”
I answered honestly, “Part of it, yes. If you go to Australia, you might meet a man and marry him, and then I will have lost the opportunity to ask for the hand of a giving and kind woman, albeit you can be very annoying.” I took her hand in mine. “Will you say yes?”
“Perhaps. Meanwhile, despite your backhanded delivery, I will accept your compliment.”
A smile bloomed on her lips, and I smiled in return. “How can I persuade you?”
She leaned forward in her seat, her eyelids lowering as her gaze settled on my mouth. “I’m not sure. You have yet to kiss me, and I’m not sure if I would actually like it or not.”
Her challenge sparked my competitive side, and I nodded, sliding my hand along her soft jaw to bring her mouth to my own. The second our lips connected, a pleasant sensation rushed through my chest. She was a desirable woman. While the spark I felt when kissing Eleanor was missing, I hadn’t expected there to be one. I was pleased the attraction I felt toward Olivia was definitely there.
Olivia slanted her mouth more fully onto mine, and I glided my tongue along the seam of her lips. The kiss flamed from pleasant to lustful in a matter of seconds. She had a lush body with large breasts, and hips a man could grab onto as he planted himself deep inside her pussy. I palmed her neck, bringing her much closer to me.
A scream from outside, followed by a giggle, disrupted our passionate embrace. I rocked back on my heels and nearly fell over, my thigh cramping up. The old rowing injury appeared at the most annoying times.
I met her softened gaze and quirked my eyebrow in question. “Well?”
“I suppose that’s all right,” she said with a saucy smile. “However, I do want a man who finds me appealing and isn’t marrying me simply to stave off impending loneliness.”
“Olivia,” I said, “I can say with all honesty that I find you very appealing.”
She searched my face for a moment before nodding and holding out her fingers, spreading them wide. “You may put the ring on. I will marry you.”
“Excellent, we shall plan the wedding for an appropriate time.”
“There is no time like the present.”
I nodded, part of me balking at the quickness, yet I was committed to marrying her and would do so in the manner she requested. “Then consider it done.”
