“Such as?”
“You are a widow. You have far more options than your innocent sisters.”
“In that I do not need a chaperone and can wear bolder colors, then you are correct.”
His lips quirked. “You never did answer my question from the other evening. Are you seeking a lover?”
Octavia sucked in a breath. “I believe I also told you that what I may or may not be seeking this Season is no concern of yours.”
“What if I already know the truth.”
His confidence was quite irritating. Did all rakes believe widows wished for lovers, even if in her case it was the truth. However, she’d not admit that he was correct. “I am certain that you do not.”
“So, I did not overhear a certain conversation the other evening. Perhaps it was another woman speaking with your sister, Lavinia.” He leaned in close, his breath on her neck. “I want a man who not only knows how to find pleasure but how to give it as well.”
Heat swept her body as well as her face. She’d been certain that nobody had been present. How many others had heard the conversation with Lavinia.
Octavia was quite confident that she’d never been more mortified in her life.
“I promise that no one else was around, so your secret is safe with me.”
Oh, she hoped he was being truthful, but could she truly trust him?
“Perhaps I have had a change of heart and mind.”
Bolton tisked. “It would be a shame if you have.”
She stopped and turned to him. “Even if I have not, though I will never admit to such, what makes you so certain that I would want you?”
His eyes smoldered as the corner of his lip turned. “Because I can promise you pleasure you have never known.”
“A promise made by all rakes, I assume.” She snorted and turned away.
“Perhaps,” he agreed while they continued to stroll. “Yet, I am the only one you know.”
Octavia hitched a brow. “Are you so certain?” The other names she’d been given were familiar but not truly known to her family. Bolton had been known from her first Season.
“If you wish another, I will not stand in your way. However, I can promise that I will not be a disappointment.”
They reached the others just as the balloon lifted. As it was still tethered by ropes, it would not go very far.
“I wonder how far it could go if set free,” Octavia commented.
“Yes, have you ever wondered what it would be like to soar high with passion, ride the waves of pleasure until the sweetest of all releases burst from within before you slowly drifted back to earth?” Bolton murmured quietly in her ear.
Goosepimples rose upon her arms at his tone and words, though it was impossible to imagine such. Her husband had managed to bring about the desire, but she had only experienced release a few times in those early days, and nothing near to what Bolton described. Usually, her experiences had been a quickening of desire and then disappointment, just as it would likely be with most lovers, though she wished to know for certain.
“I believe you have a high opinion of yourself, Lord Bolton. Could that confidence have been fed by women who only said what you wished to hear?”
He grinned. None of the lovers he had ever pleasured were lying to him. It would have been impossible for them to pretend that they reached a blinding release. But his simply telling Lady Kepple such would not be enough.
Seduction! It would be slow but was required. Lady Kepple would not give in easily and Angelo needed to make her his.
He wasn’t even certain why.
Was it the challenge? Was it because she didn’t accept the offer immediately?
“Are you not supposed to find a wife this Season?” she asked.
