Page 107 of The Reckless Love of an Heir
Henry’s arm lifted, encouraging her to come beneath it. She pressed against him, as his arm settled around her shoulders. Hisfree hand pulled the bow tying her bonnet, slid it off and threw it onto the far seat. Then his lips pressed against hers.
When he broke the kiss, she said, ‘The bonnet is Alethea’s, she sent it for me to wear. Do you think that means she will forgive me?’
A rumble of amusement sounded in his chest. ‘Either that or she wished to have an element of control over you and I today.’ He smiled. ‘I have seen how she manipulates you, and yes, I know how she manipulated me too when I played along with her whims. But now, I do not care for her manipulation. But, yes, I believe she will forgive us, and most particularly you, because for all her tricks to have you at her beck and call, I know she cares for you as I do.’
‘Henry, it was a kind gesture…’
‘Perhaps. But either way, we will leave the bonnet in the carriage and have a footman take it back to Alethea, or it may become an excuse for her to interfere in some way. Let us be selfish for a little longer.’
‘She will not interfere. She is going to London with Mama and Papa tomorrow.’
‘Then that I am glad of, but she is still having her bonnet back.’ His palm cupped her cheek and he kissed her endlessly until the carriage turned onto Farnborough’s drive.
‘Is my hair falling from its pins?’
‘A little. It looks adorable.’
‘Henry.’
‘I swear you look beautiful and not untidy at all, only loved.’
‘Henry!’
He laughed, probably at her expression of horror.
‘Not in that way, Susan, darling.’ He laughed again.
The carriage rolled through the arch with the old medieval portcullis and into the noisy cobbled courtyard, where it turnedabout the fountain and drew to a halt, rocking as the footman jumped down from a perch at the back to come around and open the door.
‘My lady,’ he said, opening the door wide. She had not been called that before.
‘No, Frank.’ Henry climbed out before she could rise. ‘This is my prerogative.’
Henry did not hold out a hand out to help her, instead she was swept up into his arms.
She squealed and clasped his shoulders. ‘Henry!’
‘A wife is to be carried over the threshold of her new home, and for now this will be yours.’
He crossed the cobbles with her in his arms and entered the house. Davis held the door wide for them, smiling broadly.
Henry smiled back. ‘Good day, Davis.’
‘Congratulations, my lord, my lady.’
‘There is a bonnet in the carriage to be sent over to Lord Forth’s, but pray, save my hat from the carriage.’ He looked at Susan. ‘Now I believe we are to have a small wedding breakfast in the dining room, but first of all champagne in the drawing room and so I shall carry you there.’
He did so, then dropped her on a sofa. ‘Ahhh! Henry!’
He laughed once more. leaning over her and kissing her lips before rising. ‘Happy, Lady Marlow?’
Lady Marlow… How odd that sounded. ‘Yes.’
‘Champagne, my lord…’ A footman stood at the open door.
She shared a look with Henry, a look that said they might have been caught kissing.
He straightened up. ‘Thank you.’ Then walked across the room to take two glasses from a tray full of them.
