A Season for Honour

Chapter 27

'Well,' Octavia said, smoothing the creased silk of her skirts, 'how do I look?'

'Beautiful,' Alex said, as he brushed a stray tendril of her hair behind her ear. 'Good enough to kiss,' he added as he bent down and kissed her soundly on the lips.

She entwined her arms around his neck and smiled at him.

'What are you smiling at?' he asked curiously.

'I did warn you that I was not finished with you,' she said mischievously.

'Vixen,' he said, as he pulled her closer. 'I was a fool to think that I could so easily purge you from my mind.'

'Yes, you were,' she said, as she stroked his cheek tenderly, 'you were foolish to even try.'

'I hope that you were not promised to anyone for the dance after supper,' he said, as he looked at the clock on the mantelpiece, 'we have been here over half an hour, and I can hear the music coming from the ballroom.'

'And, you promised that I would be back before the end of supper,' she said pointedly.

'Please, Octavia,' he said, shaking his head, 'do not remind me of how gauche I was earlier.'

Octavia silenced him with a kiss and said, 'Alex, you must promise me that you will never apologise for tonight.' She lifted her hand and ran her fingers down the length of his cheek and then traced the line of his lips lightly with her fingertips. 'You gave me plenty of opportunities to say no. I did, after all, lead you into the library. If I had not opened the door, you would have changed your mind.'

Alex nodded. 'I don't deserve you, Octavia.'

She reached up and kissed his lips lightly to silence him again. 'Yes, you do,' she whispered against them. She then put her head against his chest and listened to the rhythmical beat of his heart.

'Octavia, I would like you to be part of my future,' he said softly. 'I cannot promise you much materially, but I can offer you my heart.'

There was a brief silence. 'Is this a marriage proposal?' she said as she looked up at him, the twinkle of mischief returning to her eyes.

Alex nodded. 'Yes, it is,' he said apologetically, 'and a very sorry excuse for one it is.'

'No,' she said seriously, 'it was beautiful. I don't need some lovelorn swain on bended knee, reciting poetry and making promises he has no intention of keeping. I want you, Alex, that is all.'

Alex then took a step back and fell to one knee. 'Lady Kendall,' he said with a flourish, as he took her hand in his, 'would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?'

'Yes,' she said, as she began to laugh, 'and you better get up before you start reciting poetry.' He stood up and kissed her. 'We could be married in a couple of days by special license,' she said. 'I don't think I could bear a long wait.'

'Certainly not,' Alex said. 'My proposal may have been lacking in all decorum, but our wedding should be extremely respectable. We also have Olivia and Charles to think about. They should both be present at their mother's wedding. I would also like to talk to Charles, man to man, about the future. I know I will not be his guardian, but I would like to advise him as a father. I do not want him to feel that I have usurped his place as head of the household.'

Octavia sighed. 'Of course, you are right. It would be unfair on them to marry in haste. I know that Charles likes you, but I would not want to jeopardise that by doing something that will also affect his life. Anyway,' she said the spark of mischief returning to her eyes, 'we could always sneak away and find a quiet spot at a ball or party.'