“You cannot fully put your attention to a potential bride if you are squiring her about during the day, to the theatre or ball at night and then come to my bed. It is unfair to her and to me, and frankly, to yourself. She must have your full attention if you are truly considering her as a life mate.”
He stared at Octavia for the longest time. This she was not asking for herself, but his future bride. Her husband had shown her no consideration and Angelo was willing to wager that he hadn’t even bothered to get to know Octavia more than was necessary. She was the daughter of a duke, possessed a large dowry and was beautiful. That was all Kepple needed to know before he set out to charm her and gain her hand in marriage. Angelo would be no better if he continued to see his lover while courting a future wife. “I agree. And I understand why this is important to you.”
“I need you to make this promise to me even if your lover or mistress is someone other than me. You need to fully come to know your future wife and she should be the only woman you are thinking of.”
“You have my promise, Octavia.”
She gave a nod. “Thank you.”
“Then we are in agreement.”
“To be discreet, potentially friends, no emotional attachments, to end our association when you desire another, and I promise to help you find your bride.”
The last one hurt, but Octavia had always been honest that she would not marry again and that any lover she took would be of a short duration.
“I agree if you will agree to be my lover,” he finally said. “And that while we are alone that you call me Angelo.”
“I am surprised that you still wish to pursue this after all that I have put you through.”
Angelo nearly laughed. “That is because you clearly underestimate your beauty and my desire for you.” He stared into her eyes. “If I am to be honest, I have wanted you since your first Season, but it was not possible until now.”
Chapter 17
Octavia was truly surprised that Angelo still wished to be her lover. She’d confessed so much this evening that would have sent any other gentleman running, but Angelo stayed, and listened, and he understood.
Or she believed he understood. After they were finally intimate, she might not encounter him again, but it was a risk that she was willing to take.
He set his brandy aside, stood and took hers and placed it on the table, then held out his hand to her.
Her heart beat heavy, uncertain what was to come next, and afraid that she was not ready.
“It is time to retire,” he said, then placed a hand at the small of her back and escorted her down the corridor and into her chamber. There he closed the door.
Octavia was not certain what to do. It wasn’t as if she were a virgin, but she’d never taken a lover. During her marriage, it was her husband who came to her bed after she had retired.
Angelo settled into a chair and removed his boots, then his suitcoat, cravat, and waistcoat, her nerves mounting with each item removed. Should she also undress. She had never done so in front of a gentleman before.
He then stood and pulled his shirt from his trousers and approached.
“Sit down, Octavia.”
She did as he bid, and she waited for him to kiss her. Instead, he went down on his knees and removed first one of her slippers and then the other. He then stood and held out his hand. Octavia placed her hand in his and he helped her rise. Angelo then turned her so that her back was to him, and he lifted her hair and placed it over her shoulder. Then he chuckled. “I see you need no assistance with your buttons.”
Octavia’s face heated. “I could not reach them, and my maid had retired.”
“Corset?” he asked.
“Already removed before you arrived, and I was not putting it back on.”
He laughed again then reached around her and picked up her night rail and handed it to her. “Go change.”
She took it, rather bewildered, but did as he asked and disappeared into a dressing room that she’d not used until tonight. Once in her nightgown, Octavia returned to her chamber, very much aware of her lack of clothing and fighting the inner tremors of insecurity and self-consciousness and trying to find the ability to be bold.
Except, she wasn’t feeling bold and not at all prepared.
She might never be prepared.
She sucked in a shaky breath. The coverlet was shoved to the end of the bed and Angelo was resting on his back, trousers still on, head on a pillow, arm above his head. He did not lack confidence and she must not either.
