His eyes bore into hers and she believed him.
“I cannot,” she finally said and pulled away from him.
There were reasons she would not compromise for less than a month and one of them was because anything shorter was cheapening. Maybe she was fooling herself that by spending a longer length of time with someone it was more respectable.
She nearly snorted. She was taking a lover outside of marriage, which was the opposite of respectable, but she wanted that relationship. There was no chance of being close to someone in only a week or two, but a month allowed her time to explore, learn, and enjoy. There must be more to making love than laying on her back while the man rutted, and Bolton’s kiss convinced her that there was.
Why was she even considering her options? She was a fool. A night, a month, or a Season would not matter. This was her chance to learn about passion and with the only person she desired.
“Three weeks,” she countered, though she was willing to agree to a fortnight, but didn’t want Bolton to think that she would agree to anything if he kissed her senseless.
The corner of his mouth tipped. “I will need to give it some thought.”
Disappointment settled into the pit of her stomach.
She should have agreed to a fortnight.
Bolton took a step back and lifted her hand to his lips, he then turned it over, placing first a kiss on the palm of her hand and then the inside of her wrist.
A shiver raced up her spine. “I will let you know.” He grinned then offered his arm.
Octavia almost allowed him to lead her from the walk but stopped. “Has my hair been mussed.” She recalled his hand at the back of her head.
Bolton studied her, then walked behind. There were a few tugs and then he was done. “All is now in place.”
She wanted to ask how he knew what to do but thought better of the question as she’d likely be jealous of the women who had their hair destroyed and then repaired by Bolton.
He almost had her agreement and then Octavia would be his, but she’d negotiated again. Angelo had nearly laughed and capitulated. Three weeks might as well be a month. Yet, that kiss was unlike any other he had experienced. Her passion matched his and he knew that he’d not be satisfied until she was his.
He wanted no other woman, and he certainly couldn’t think about finding his future bride when his mind was filled with Octavia and his body ached for her.
If he could, he would take her away with him tonight, but her brothers and sisters had accompanied her and despite her being a widow of maturity, His Grace would not appreciate her leaving with a rake.
Then there were gossips about, and he could only hope that they were not seen. As they reached the main walk, he quickly looked about and didn’t recognize anyone and strolled out and led her back to her family.
“Did you read the newssheets today?” he asked.
“Yes,” she laughed.
“It is a brilliant ploy.”
Octavia arched a brow.
“It will explain why you will be at my side at balls and other entertainments. Occasionally we can glance to misses and share a quiet conversation.”
She chuckled. “Do you think anyone will truly believe that I am your matchmaker.”
“The gossips have spoken so it must be true.”
She blew out a sigh. “I will agree only after you have agreed to my terms.”
Angelo grinned. “We shall see. I may not be done negotiating.” Though, even as he said the words, he knew that he would grant her the three weeks. It may not leave him with as much time to enjoy his debauched life, but he had a feeling that Octavia would be worth every moment. He just wasn’t willing to inform her now, but when she least expected it.
Chapter 16
It was all Octavia could do not to smile the remainder of the night. If she had appeared overly happy then her brothers may have become suspicious. Leopold had already frowned when she returned on Bolton’s arm and had to explain that she was going to help him find a bride that was not one of their sisters.
This she would do because she hated to lie or be dishonest. Bolton had first voiced the ruse but when she repeated it to Leopold, it became hers as well, which meant that regardless of what became of her and Bolton, she would play his matchmaker.
