“Then what else is on your mind?”
“I spoke with Crispin before he left London for his wedding trip.” She’d done this before her brother even wed as she knew it would be necessary if her plan for the Season was to work. “As he was taking Vanessa to Greece, his home would be vacant for months. With his permission, I intend to move into his home while he is away.”
“Why?” Leopold asked, a bit surprised.
“I first lived in my father’s home, then went directly to my husband’s home, only to be rejected from his family when he died and returned to my childhood home. I wish, for the first time in my life, to live on my own. To be independent.”
Leopold took a sip of his brandy and studied her.
“Lavinia and Augustus can see to our sisters. I am not needed here.”
“You are needed for teatime as we do not know what manner of callers they will receive.”
“That can be arranged,” Octavia agreed.
“Then I have no objection so long as you are also by their side at the various functions that I will not be attending.”
She nodded in agreement.
Then her brother snorted. “Even if I did have an objection, you are a widow soon to be thirty, so I suppose I have little say of your comings and goings.”
“Thank you for not making this difficult, Leopold.” She hadn’t expected him to be but wished to be respectful since he had welcomed her, and Lavinia, back and generously provided for them. However, she did not expect Lavinia to be so amenable to her decision. Therefore, instead of sharing her plans with her sisters, Octavia went to her set of rooms and instructed her maid to see that her belongings were packed and moved to Crispin’s home on Bolton Street in Mayfair.
Once settled, and living blessedly alone save servants, Octavia would be free to arrange assignations at and for her pleasure.
Angelo stood on a balcony overlooking the ballroom and observed the crowd below. The ball hosted by the Earl of Hearne was a crush and Angelo was thankful to be above and away so that he could study the guests.
He had taken the list his cousin provided and had spent a good portion of the past few days with Debrett’s as he determined which of the available misses and ladies would be considered for courtship come June. Luckily, the list had been reduced by half based on age alone. Angelo knew that he did not have the patience for someone fresh from the schoolroom or having only had one Season. The immaturity and silliness would likely drive him to Bedlam.
He had also reconsidered waiting before he came to know the potential candidates. There was no harm in asking them to dance or for a turn about the room because sometimes it was possible to tell in such a short time if someone would suit. If they did not, another name would be scratched off his mother’s list and he’d have even fewer names to consider toward the end of the Season.
He then researched widows. Those ages were far broader, and he would consider anyone between the ages of five and twenty to forty. Angelo couldn’t help but grin. He had enjoyed those who had been ten years older as they knew what they wanted, and he’d also learned much from their experience.
Angelo tossed back the remainder of his wine, ready to join the throng below when Lady Kepple stepped into the ballroom. Her midnight hair was artfully arranged with curls pinned about her head in a manner often worn by a matron. A few loose curls had escaped and framed her face. Tonight, she wore an amethyst gown, scooped low enough to nearly be daring, but not so much to be considered scandalous. He paused a moment to appreciate the way she filled out the bodice with the swell of her breasts.
Head held high, shoulders back, Lady Kepple took in the room with confidence. A woman who knew her worth.
Such certainty usually came to widows who had been happily married, yet based on the comments he’d overheard, Angelo did not believe hers had been all that idyllic. Perhaps her demeanor also came from the assurance of freedom and being old enough to be out from under the control of a father, guardian, or husband, and for the fact that her father had been a duke, the title her brother now held.
By the glint in her blue eyes and slight quirk of her coral lips, she also had the look of a woman who knew what she wanted. Angelo only needed to convince her that the lover she sought was him.
Yet, he couldn’t approach her directly as that would draw attention and perhaps her suspicion. Her first rule, after all, was discretion.
He had been navigating Society for far too long to know that if he approached Lady Kepple, a new widow recently returned to Society, and so soon after the Season began, gossips would take note. And they would be watching especially now. Unfortunately, he learned tonight that rumors were already circling that he intended to find a bride this Season. No doubt his mother had whispered that tidbit in a few ears. He would just need to whisper in the right ear that he would not marry until Christmas. Angelo also knew that anyone hoping to land an earl and future marquess would not care. Therefore, he would need to keep the ton guessing as to what he was about by spending the evenings with both widows and misses until he encountered the one who fascinated him the most—Lady Kepple.
Chapter 4
Octavia stood with her three sisters and Augustus as the bachelors approached. The family had only missed the previous Season and as they had been present for so many before, they were not strangers. However, Sabina at the age of twenty, was not known as well because she’d only been eighteen during her one and only Season. Aurora was three and twenty and remembered. The bachelors flocked to both sisters, which Octavia had anticipated since they were quite lovely, and the perfect age in which to marry. She and Lavinia were politely acknowledged, which Octavia preferred. She would like her presence forgotten as it would be easier to observe their behavior.
She wasn’t truly worried about the bachelors with respectable reputations because Leopold would determine if they were worthy of either Aurora or Sabina. No, Octavia’s only concerns were the rakes now ready to wed.
After meeting with Augustus earlier, she now knew that there were a few who could be a concern and one name was at the top of the list. Lord Angelo Evans, the Earl of Bolton, who was expected to find a bride this Season.
Octavia had met Bolton twelve years ago when she first entered Society. She was expected to wed, and he had no intention of doing so until he was much older. They had danced and flirted, but as their expectations for that Season were in opposition, nothing ever developed. Not that she had not been smitten with the devil.
She nearly sighed. Bolton had been quite charming and apparently, he still was and had developed quite a reputation over the years, which she had observed. His name was often whispered behind fans and if one were to believe gossip, Lord Bolton was the best lover in all of England. Therefore, he would never do for Aurora or Sabina.
However, he may just serve her purpose.
