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Her mother acted as chaperone, trailing behind them at a discreet distance. Bertie led her down a path towards a white gazebo which was overflowing with climbing pink roses. They sat down within the structure. Olivia closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the beautiful aroma of the roses.
“You truly are the most bewitching lady,” said Bertie.
Her eyes flew open. He was gazing at her intently. Her breath caught in her throat as he reached out, taking her hand, pressing his lips into it.
“Can I court you when you return to London?” he asked, in a quiet voice. “I was thinking of going there for the rest of the season anyway and meeting you has made up my mind entirely.”
Olivia felt triumphant. He was seriously interested in her. She was not just a passing fancy.
“I would like that very much,” she murmured, her heart skipping a beat. “I was hoping you would ask me.”
His hazel eyes lit up. “Oh, Olivia. How could I not? You stand head and shoulders above any of the other young ladies. I simply cannot believe you have not been snatched up by now, but I thank my lucky stars you have not been.”
She blushed, not knowing what to say. For a moment, she revelled in her good fortune. She had been so hopeful that she would secure a love match before the season was done and this looked very promising indeed. A handsome, charming man with the right background and connections. Grandpapa would not be able to fault him.
She noticed her mother was lingering in the distance, absorbed in contemplation of some begonias, not taking her chaperone duties very seriously. Bertie noticed, as well. He leaned forward, lowering his voice.
“May I kiss you?” he whispered.
Olivia’s blush deepened. She nodded slowly. The next moment, he gathered her up in his arms, his lips descending upon hers.
Olivia waited to feel the explosion of sensation that had occurred when the highwayman kissed her, but it never happened. Bertie’s kiss felt almost chaste. It was closemouthed and over with almost as soon as it had begun. She felt a lurch of disappointment, but she supposed he was only being sensible. Her mother was not very far away and might see them.
He stepped back, looking well satisfied, taking her arm.
“Let us walk,” he said. “You have made me very happy, Olivia.” He patted her arm.
Olivia smiled at him. They drifted off. She could not wait to tell Emma all about it. Her friend was very well aware of how interested she was in Bertie, even if Emma was preoccupied with her own budding romance with Lord Turnbury.
He wishes to formally court me, she thought, with a stab of excitement.If all goes well he may propose before the season is even over!
She pushed away her slight disappointment over the kiss. It was not worth worrying about. They had no privacy and he could hardly kiss her passionately with her mother standing so close. It would be better when they found a private moment. She was sure of it.
Still… the memory of the highwayman’s kiss suddenly overwhelmed her, and she could not help comparing. The way his lips had taken hers in such a commanding way. The feel of his mouth upon hers, opening it, his tongue flickering. The way he had caressed her breasts, teasing the nipples to hard peaks. The way he had turned her into molten liquid.
Annoyed with herself, she shook away the memory. The highwayman was a fantasy. Of course, a quick kiss in the daylight with a chaperone not far away could not compare to the heightened, illicit excitement of such an encounter. There was time enough for passion to develop between her and Bertie. They had the whole season to explore it.
And now, she could not wait to get back to London to show Bertie off to everyone. She slowly smiled. Sheespeciallywanted to show him off to Captain Fletcher. She did not really know why.
