“You just arrived,” Angelo complained.
“I have been tasked with the duty of accompanying my sisters on a stroll through Hyde Park.”
As it was the fashionable hour, this would be a good opportunity to study women. “I will join you.”
“You, walk in Hyde Park, at this hour?” Shrewsbury asked in surprise.
“I will eventually need a wife, remember?”
Chapter 6
It had fallen to Octavia to accompany her younger sisters to Hyde Park as Leopold needed Lavinia. Her younger sister had been acting part secretary and steward for Leopold since the former steward had been sacked for embezzling funds from the household accounts. This occurred right before the family had traveled to London and Leopold was so pleased with Lavinia’s abilities and knowledge that he’d not put much effort into finding either a new secretary or a household steward. He was also reluctant to do so since he wasn’t certain who he could trust.
“Meredith,” Aurora called out.
Octavia looked to where her sister waved, and her breath stopped for a moment.
What was Bolton doing walking in the park? She could have sworn he was too much of a rake to go out in the light of day, preferring to hunt by night.
Then again, he did need a bride.
Meredith was of the same age as Aurora, and they had made their coming out together. She was also Bolton’s cousin. With the two were Bethany, who was Meredith’s older sister and Viscount Shrewsbury, their brother.
“Come along.” Aurora pulled on Sabina’s arm then watched for carriages and curricles and all manner of vehicles before crossing to the other side to see her friend. Octavia slowly followed and prepared herself for another meeting with Bolton. She hadn’t forgotten the humor merged with confidence in his brown eyes the evening before when he’d lifted his glass to her.
Even now, he watched as she walked toward the gathering, his brown eyes intense.
“They are to launch a balloon near the Serpentine,” Meredith exclaimed with excitement. “We are off to view it now. Would you like to join us?”
Aurora turned pleading eyes on Octavia. “May we?”
“Please!” Sabina begged.
Even if she didn’t wish to watch the launch, Octavia could not deny her sisters their pleasure. They should have all the enjoyment allowed before they married. “I think it would be quite pleasurable.”
The four girls turned and began to rush off. “Wait,” Octavia called out before she lost sight of them.
“I will watch over them,” Shrewsbury offered and hurried after the quartet.
“I suppose that leaves us to trail after them.” Bolton offered his arm.
Octavia glanced down.
Bolton’s eyes darkened. “Shall we join them, Lady Kepple.”
His tone was low, sensual, and again she had the oddest sensation that he was asking more of her. “Yes.”
As they strolled toward the Serpentine, Octavia was aware of eyes upon them, though she hoped those same people watching had noted that it was her sisters who put the widow in proximity to the rake.
This would also be the second time in which they’d been seen walking, and talking, which came close to violating another rule: Do not be seen in the company of one gentleman too often or the ton will come to their own conclusions whether they were true or false. Therefore, after today, she must limit her encounters with Bolton whenever possible, even though today was innocent enough.
She glanced up at him from beneath her lashes. There was absolutely nothing innocent about the Earl of Bolton.
“How are you enjoying the Season?” he asked.
“It has barely begun,” she countered.
He nodded. “Is there anything that you hope to accomplish this Season?”
