“For being so quick, for not being gentler, for…”
Octavia turned and placed a hand on his cheek then leaned forward and kissed him. “Do not ever apologize. I wanted passion and that is all you have shown me.” She kissed him once again and then rested her head on his chest. “I certainly have no complaints.”
Angelo stared up at the ceiling and grinned.
Chapter 23
The garden party being hosted by the Earl and Countess of Bentley was Octavia’s destination with her sisters. Aurora and Sabina were anxious to find their friends while Lavinia cautioned that they should not appear too enthusiastic. Lavinia had not wanted to attend and had complained since they had arrived that she was needed by Leopold and should not be taking part in a frivolous activity.
Apparently, that is how Lavinia viewed garden parties. Perhaps Octavia might feel the same had she not been looking forward to seeing Angelo, as he promised to be in attendance, but only because she was going to be here, and he had promised his mother so that he could find a bride.
Octavia was also determined to be of assistance, just so she was no longer lying about her association with Angelo. It certainly wasn’t the complete truth, but what was known should also be correct.
“Meredith,” Aurora called, and Octavia turned to find not only Angelo’s cousins, but him as well, approaching.
“Do not yell, Aurora,” Lavinia chastised. “It is unseemly.”
Aurora hurried to her friend, ignoring her older sister.
As the girls discussed the guests, and whispered about handsome gentlemen, Angelo came forward and offered his arm.
“Have you given thought to the type of wife you seek?” Octavia asked quietly as they strolled away from the others.
“My mother provided a list,” he reminded her.
Octavia shook her head. “She has given you names, but what are you looking for, for yourself. You shall be married to her, not your mother.”
Angelo frowned.
“I shall tell you, then. Or, at least what I suspect you have considered.”
“This should be interesting. Who would you choose?” he asked.
“She shall not be younger than one and twenty. You want maturity and not silliness.”
“In that, you are not wrong.”
“Nor should she be above three and twenty. Young enough to give you an heir and a spare, and possibly a daughter or two.”
Angelo groaned. “I am not certain I should be a father of girls. I wanted to lock away my sister when a gentleman wished to court her. I even followed them on occasion to make certain he did not attempt anything that could ruin her.” He leaned closer. “I know what men are thinking when they look at a beautiful woman.”
Octavia chuckled. “I should not be surprised that a rake would make the most protective of fathers.”
“No daughters. Only sons for me.”
“Yes, well, matters do not always work out as you wish,” she reminded him.
“Octavia, I am sorry. I did not mean to be insensitive.”
She waved away his concern. “Do not concern yourself with my circumstance. I came to terms with my situation long ago and there is no reason why you should not anticipate many sons and daughters.”
“For my sanity, I am going to think in terms of sons,” he grumbled.
“From a wife who is no older than three and twenty when you wed.” Octavia tilted her head and studied him. “Sweet with a kind, pleasant disposition. Quiet and perhaps shy.”
“Yes,” he answered after giving it a moment of thought. “Maybe a wallflower.”
“Someone who will not be intrusive, or difficult to live with.”
