Her face heated, remembering everything. It had been real because her imagination wasn’t so great that she could have invented everything that happened.
The question now remained—would he return?
She thought he said something about today but couldn’t truly recall. There was a vague memory of him helping her dress, but that was all. She had been so exhausted that those memories could be a dream too.
She didn’t think he had been disappointed, but Angelo had enjoyed many lovers. She had but one comparison and her deceased husband fell short in every possible way. She could but hope that Angelo returned but she couldn’t imagine intimacy being any more amazing with anyone else. At least she did have the memories, but she really hoped he came to her again because she wanted more memories to keep close.
There also would be no other lovers.
Octavia nearly laughed when she recalled the list of rakes Augustus had provided. To think for the briefest of moments she had given them consideration. They were lacking before she and Angelo had shared a night of pleasure. She now knew for certain, no matter their reputation of being a rake, any experiences with them would be so inferior that they would not be worth considering again.
It was a good thing that she planned on never having another lover because Angelo may have ruined her for any other gentleman.
“Octavia?” Sabina questioned.
She blinked and glanced at her sister, noting for the first time that their callers were gone, and her younger sisters and Augustus were looking at her oddly.
“Is anything amiss?” Aurora asked with concern.
“No. Why do you ask?”
“You have been staring and you’d get the oddest smile, and it almost seemed like you were blushing.”
Octavia stood and smoothed her skirts. “I was doing nothing more than woolgathering and if there was any color upon my cheeks it is simply because it is quite warm in here.”
Her sisters frowned and shared worried glances, but thankfully they said nothing nor asked any more questions and allowed her to leave.
It was her intention to return to Crispin’s home, but she was stopped as Angelo approached.
"I am so happy to have caught you, Lady Kepple.”
Her pulse increased, thrilled to see him and even delighted that he had come to visit her, which allowed her to put any concerns aside. Yet, she schooled her features so that nobody else noted.
“How may I help you, Lord Bolton?”
His brown eyes darkened, and he glanced at her breasts before focusing on her eyes again. Her body heated, remembering the intimacies from the night before.
“I had hoped that you would accompany me to The British Institution.”
“Why?” She hadn’t visited the Pall Mall Picture Gallery in a few years and had forgotten its existence.
“I am to understand that several misses enjoy visiting.”
Was this another ruse? “And you would like my assistance.”
“You did promise,” he reminded her with a grin.
Octavia blew out a sigh. “Very well, Lord Bolton. I will accompany you to The British Institution to help you search for a wife.”
Angelo had not wanted to ride in Hyde Park again but could think of no other activity that would allow him to visit with Octavia under the premise of her playing the matchmaker. The British Institution came to him when his cousin Bethany mentioned that she intended on visiting this very day and she left, carrying her box of paints, with her maid following.
He couldn’t remember the last time he had been there, but knew it was a gallery along Pall Mall and several paintings could be viewed, which did not explain why Bethany had her paints. Further, she was acting suspicious, trying to rush away and not answer questions.
Did she choose to go to the Gallery on the day when the rest of her family was away intentionally or was it just a coincidence? Had his sister behaved in such a manner, that is before she had wed, Angelo would have wanted someone to find out what she was up to and inform him if necessary.
As he was curious and wished for an excuse to be with Octavia, the destination was perfect for his purpose.
“Do you mind if we walk, or would you like me to call for a hackney?” he asked.
