For the first time since he entered the parlor, he felt hope that he hadn’t ruined his chances with Olivia. “I need to kiss you, my dear, right now. I’m on fire with wanting you. Will you take a stroll on the balcony with me before everyone else comes down to dinner?”
Olivia nodded. “Yes. I’d like that very much.”
“I’m so glad.” He held out his arm and escorted her through the French doors to the balcony beyond. They walked to the far end, and Robertson wasted no time in pulling her into his arms and kissing her with all the pent-up frustration of not being with her all day.
His mouth fit over hers with ease, and when she sighed, his tongue swept in, tasting every luscious inch of her mouth. When she leaned into him, he deepened the kiss. He couldn’t get enough of her. He wanted to strip her bare and kiss every delectable inch of her body. The kiss went on and on, neither of them wishing to stop, but eventually, Robertson stepped back.
“My darling Olivia, I needed that so much. I’ve missed being with you today.”
Olivia reached out and touched his cheek. “I’ve missed you too, Everett.”
“You did?”
She nodded. “Yes, and against my better judgment.”
“I hope I can change your mind about that. I think your judgment is perfectly fine.”
“Everett, let’s not waste time talking. Kiss me again before we must go inside.”
“My pleasure, my lady, my absolute pleasure,” he said and lowered his head to take her lips once more. She was so responsive in his arms, although he could tell by her tentativeness that she didn’t have much experience kissing. He wanted it to be the best experience he could make for her.
She groaned, and he pulled her closer, her soft body melting into his hard chest, but their pleasure couldn’t last forever. His head snapped up when he heard voices come near, and he stepped away from Olivia.
Lady Bartlett and her daughter had stepped out on the balcony, and it was all he could do to hold in a groan.
He gave Olivia one last quick kiss. “Seems you were right about match-making mamas. Looks like she’s at it again,” he whispered. He would not let LadyBartlett ruin another moment so he did the only thing he could think of and laughed out loud.
Both Bartlett women turned in his direction.
“Lady Armstrong, you’re quite amusing,” he said, a little louder than necessary, hoping that Olivia understood what he was doing.
She nodded before taking his arm, and they began to walk back toward the parlor door. She understood perfectly. “My lord, I hardly think kittens are merely soft and cuddly. You must be wary of their sharp claws as well.”
That made Robertson laugh again. “Touche, Lady Armstrong.” As they came out of the shadows, he said, “Good evening, Lady Bartlett, Miss Bartlett.”
“Lord Robertson, I didn’t expect to see you out here,” Lady Bartlett said, her eyes widening when she saw Olivia on his arm.
“It’s a lovely evening and we’re just getting some fresh air. Now, if you’ll excuse us, Lady Armstrong and I are headed back inside to enjoy a glass of sherry.”
Lady Bartlett’s eyes blazed. She obviously thought her daughter had captured his attention. “I see. Come along, my dear. It’s rather chilly out here tonight, and I don’t want you to catch a chill,” she said, turning with a huff. Poor Miss Bartlett shrugged and dutifully followed her mother back inside.
Robertson and Olivia entered the parlor and walked over to Noah and Lady Williams.
“There you two are. How was the night air?” Lady Williams asked.
“Delightful,” Olivia said with a smile.
Robertson saw Noah glance over his shoulder. “Seems Lady Bartlett doesn’t share your opinion, Lady Armstrong.”
“I suspect she doesn’t,” Robertson said. “That woman is single-minded in her determination to partner me with her daughter.”
“Matchmaking Mamas are like that it seems,” Noah said.
“I understand that. However, I didn’t know I’d be hounded here.”
The butler announced dinner then, and there was no more time to discuss the situation. Robertson held out his arm to escort Olivia to the dining room. There was no way he was going to let any other gentleman sit beside her this evening. With Noah and Lady Williams on her other side, he felt dinner was going to be very pleasant indeed.
When he saw that Lady Bartlett and her daughter were sitting at the other end of the table with Lord John, Robertson was able to relax and enjoy a lively conversation with his companions.
