Page 113 of The Reckless Love of an Heir
Henry
So she had the morning to herself.
She tumbled onto her back. She could lie here and sleep in, but the energy inside her was too excited to do that. She ached. Mostly from making love in the chair, but it was a nice ache.
I am a married woman!She smiled into the air, her soul shouting with joy, as she got up and rang for a maid to bring water to wash with and to help her dress.
Downstairs, Aunt Jane, Sarah and Christine were at the breakfast table.
‘Susan.’ Aunt Jane stood. ‘Come and sit beside me.’
They talked of nothing really, of dresses, balls and some of the unusual fashions they had seen in their short season in London. Yet Susan was not fooled, they were not happy, they were suffering over William’s loss and talking for her sake. As soon as she finished eating she excused herself. Not because she wished to avoid them but because she felt as though they would rather avoid her. So she went to the library.
The door had been left ajar. She pushed it open wider, her fingers shaking nervously, because Uncle Robert might be there. She would not want to disturb him. He was not. She found out a book to read, a book about Italy, and settled in a chair, pressing her spectacles a little further up her nose.
When Henry walked into the room she looked at the clock. It was past midday.
‘Hello,’ she said in greeting.
He smiled as he walked across the room and when he reached her he bent down and pressed a kiss on her lips. ‘Hello,’ he said. Then he straightened, catching hold of her hand. ‘Come along, book-head, it is time for luncheon. Set the book down and come with me.’
She put the book on the table beside her and stood. He held of her hand as they walked. ‘Have you just come back?’ she asked.
‘Yes, well, apart from allowing myself time to change out of my clothes that smelled of horse.’
‘Where did you ride?’
‘Along the perimeter of Papa’s land.’
She nodded.
He looked sideways at her. ‘Were you lonely? I would hate for you to be lonely here.’
‘No, I just sensed Aunt Jane, Sarah and Christine would rather be alone with their thoughts than feeling the need to converse with me.’
‘You know you are going to have to stop calling Mama Aunt Jane. It sounds rather odd for her daughter-in-law.’ He smiled.
She laughed. ‘I suppose so.’
‘Sir.’ A footman stood in their path.
Henry stopped but did not let go of her hand. ‘Yes, Peter.’
‘Mr Hopkins, the steward, is waiting below stairs to see Lord Barrington, my lord, but Lord Barrington is out riding and no one is sure when he will return.’
A sigh slipped from Henry’s lips and his free hand ran over his hair. ‘Have Cook give Mr Hopkins some refreshment. I will speak with him after I have eaten.’
When the footman turned away, Henry’s fingers squeezed her hand a little tighter for a moment before he began walking again.
The boys and Percy were at the table as well as the girls. In fact the only person missing was Uncle Robert. The boys talked loudly, full of energy and tales from their ride, which appeared to give Sarah and Christine an excuse not to talk at all. Susan watched them all, silent herself, but she particularly watched Henry. He smiled and laughed with the boys and asked his mother questions. Then he spoke with Sarah and Christine.
His gaze collided with Susan’s for a moment. He smiled, then he looked away and joined the boys’ conversation.
He was keeping guard over them all.
It was endearing.
Once they had mostly finished eating, although the boys were helping themselves to more cake, Henry stood. ‘I am going downstairs to talk with Hopkins. If Papa comes home, Mama, please tell him where we are.’
