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“Our matches deserve our respect,” I said to the room that had gone very quiet. “They are ladies, and they are to beourladies.”
The atmosphere in the room shifted, the tension dissipating, and I sat down once again. Fortunately, Matthew decided to move to another group. I heard laughter erupt and noticed them all looking at me. I couldn’t give a shit what they said about me, but I would kick all of their asses if they talked shit about Emilie.
This was exactly why we stayed in the States. The intense gossip and clique-like nature of the society was difficult to deal with. I knew my parents were respected, but they didn’t like to play along with the silly games either. I was glad they chose to raise us outside of this tight circle.
“Let’s walk,” Charles said after another raucous outburst from Matthew and his new buddies.
He was removing me from the situation before shit hit the fan. I appreciated that. It would be a huge scandal if I knocked out the asshole. But it would feel good.
We started on a leisurely walk around the country club’s lush grounds, our footsteps muffled by the soft carpet of grass beneath our feet. It was a welcome change from the stuffy interior of the club. I enjoyed a good cigar now and then, but even I could feel my lungs screaming for fresh air after an hour inside.
As we strolled beneath the dappled shade of ancient trees, Charles couldn’t contain his enthusiasm.
“How did your night go?” I asked him.
“Good,” he said, smiling. “Things warmed up a bit after we removed the masks. I think she was nervous. I sure as hell was. I wasn’t thrilled with her at first, but things changed. She turned into a bit of a wild woman.”
“How so?”
“She wants to get married right away,” he said, laughing. “She talked about her plans for our family. She wants to move to my country house and have fourteen babies.”
I chuckled at Charles’s animated description. “That sounds ambitious,” I replied with a wry smile. “You’re going to have to get married right away and pray for a few sets of twins to live up to those expectations.”
Charles nodded, his expression filled with delight. “Yes, and I couldn’t be happier. She’s a wonderful woman, Theo, and I can see a future with her. I’m more than happy to get started on making babies with her. I thought she was going to be one of those ladies that demanded new dresses and purses every week, but apparently, she’s ready to get out of London. She is ready for a quiet life.”
“Good,” I said. “I’m glad there will be at least one positive match out of the season.”
“You don’t feel the same about your match?” he asked quietly. “You certainly seem to be fond of her. You were ready to kick off the first scandal of the season to protect her good name.”
Our conversation took a more serious turn as I considered my own match, Emilie. “I only did what was right. Unfortunately, unlike you, my match is in no hurry. Emilie is not interested in love. She’s focused on her duty and her country’s finances.”
Charles raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “So, she’s not looking for romance?”
I shook my head. “No, she’s made it quite clear that love is off the table. Our partnership is strictly business.”
Charles let out a low whistle, clearly taken aback by the contrast between our situations. “Well, we could always switch matches,” he suggested with a mischievous grin. “I’ll take Emilie off your hands, and you can have my smitten lady. Fourteen babies means you’ll be a very busy man.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the proposal. “As tempting as that may sound, Charles, I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.”
He chuckled in response. “I guess I’ll have to take on the burden of repopulating the world all by myself.”
“I’m sure it will be a real chore,” I teased.
That night, I lay in bed thinking about Emilie and what a future with her might look like. I was the one making the sacrifice. She made it seem like marrying me was a huge burden, but she was getting what she wanted and needed from the match. I was getting nothing.
Despite my frustration, I couldn’t help thinking about what it would be like to have her love and affection. I drifted off thinking about her and imagining our first kiss.
“I want to kiss you,” I said with my hand cupping her cheek.
“I want to kiss you too,” she responded, her fiery eyes locked with mine.
I leaned in, capturing her lips. Her full lips were so soft. She tasted like cinnamon and fire.
I pulled back, looking into her eyes. “I love you, Emilie.”
“I love you too,” she replied breathlessly.
The words were music to my ears. I grabbed her face once again and slammed my lips over hers. My tongue pushed inside her mouth and I was met with her familiar taste. I pulled her body flush against mine. The action was enough to bring me to full arousal. My cock strained against my pants, desperate to be set free.
