“That would depend, I suppose,” his father admitted.
“If I would have come here yesterday and said that I had decided on Lady Briana and wished to approach her father, what would you have said?”
“I would have asked if she would make you happy.”
“I am certain that she will.”
“Does she make you happy now?” Gaia asked.
Angelo speared her with a glance. “This is not your concern.”
“You are my brother, therefore it is.”
“It is an important question, Angelo,” his mother added. “Does she make you happy now?”
“How can I answer that? One cannot be allowed to get on well enough to decide if another makes them happy while going about in Society.” They could barely have a private conversation beyond a few moments without someone being present or interrupting. “But I know enough that we should get along well, especially since she will live in Ireland most of the time while I am in England. Our marriage will be much like yours and Father’s.”
“Ah, so it is passion that drives you,” his sister said. “Volatility and need for separation before a relationship is harmed.” She nodded as if she approved.
“I am certain there will be passion,” he offered, though it would be nothing compared to what he had shared with Octavia.
Gaia blinked at him. “You do not know if there will be passion?”
“I assume there will be.”
“Have you even kissed her?”
“I…um…no. It wouldn’t be proper.”
Gaia snorted. “Since when have you ever behaved properly?”
“Since I decided to marry.”
“All the more reason to be improper,” her voice rose. “How can you even consider a woman whom you have not kissed? Haven’t you ever kissed someone and knew that you never wanted to kiss them again, let alone anything else?”
“It matters not,” he insisted, though her question did bring about concern. There had been women in the past that he had kissed, thinking it would build the desire, but it hadn’t. He had felt nothing. He had been attracted to their beauty, but when their lips had touched, there had been nothing and he had been left empty. What if that happened when he kissed Lady Briana?
“I do not have time to go about kissing misses and ladies ready to wed to see if they suit.” He glanced to his father.
“Make time!”
His father nearly barked the order at him. “Kiss her and do not return to me until you do.”
“This is ridiculous. We do not have time for me to put this off.” They were the ones who were insistent that he marry by the end of the Season.
“Yes, there is. I promise not to die until this is settled.”
Bloody Hell! He tossed back the remains of his brandy, stood, and marched out of his parents’ home.
He would find a way to kiss her tonight and then report back to his parents that he had felt the stirring of love as soon as their lips touched and he was now confident that theirs would be a happy and loving marriage, even if he had to lie.
Chapter 31
Octavia went directly to Matron Manor instead of to her London home. She was exhausted from the travel, and likely her pregnancy, nor was her appearance the best for being in a carriage most of the day, but she was anxious to speak with Elizabeth.
Her appearance must have been in a state because Elizabeth’s eyes widened when Octavia was led into the parlor by the housekeeper, Mrs. Hall.
“Octavia, what has happened?”
