“You are watching over your sisters closely. Do you fear they may be lured away by a rake or a rogue?”
Lady Kepple arched a dark eyebrow. “I have no fear of such.”
This took him by surprise.
“It is the gentlemen who have empty pockets and are in need of a large dowry, or are intent on being related to a title that concern me. They are far more dangerous.”
“Why is that?”
“Neither a rake nor a rogue would dare seduce a sister of a duke for fear of retribution. Nor are most rakes interested in an innocent. From what I have heard, they prefer experience.”
Angelo slowly smiled. “Yet, you have claimed I am one and warned me away.”
“That is because a rake with a need to wed is the most dangerous creature of all.”
“Why would that be?” he asked quietly.
“Their experience in seduction is no match for the naïve. Practiced, honeyed words will have the inexperienced believing it love and will not realize the truth before it is too late.”
She smiled at him as if stating a fact, and by the arch of her dark brow seemed to challenge him to deny that fact, or was she accusing him of the very thing her own husband had done?
“I would never behave in such a deplorable manner,” he promised. “I can also promise that I have no intention of pursuing any of your sisters.”
She studied him as if she could gauge the truth of his words.
“I am only interested in you, Octavia.”
When he whispered her name, she sucked in a slight breath and returned her attention to the Cricket game.
“I have not given you leave to address me as such.”
“I apologize,” he stated, though not at all sorry. “I do have a question, however.”
“What would that be?” she asked without looking at him.
“You mentioned ten rules when deciding on a lover. The first I know is discretion. What are the others.”
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye while she continued to face the Cricket field. “I do not see why that is important.”
“As I intend to be that lover, I want to make certain that I do not break any of them.”
There was just a hint of a smile and then it was gone. Had Angelo not been watching her closely, he may have missed it.
Octavia was not as immune to him as she pretended.
“If you will not share them all, at least tell me the second one.”
“One must be circumspect when seeking a bedpartner. Carefully considering all consequences associated with a potential lover and be aware of who may be watching.” She turned to him. “My rules were established for the very purpose of how not to invite attention or gossip and keep my affairs private from the ton.”
Bloody hell! “As our names have already been linked by the gossips, does that mean—”
“—That you will never do.”
Octavia then stepped away from Angelo and joined her sisters.
That did not go as well as he had hoped. Not only had she compared him to her former husband, without directly making the accusation, but informed him that he would not be considered because of the second rule.
“Blast!”
