Page 34 of The Reckless Love of an Heir
She took his right arm, and the two of them walked out to the carriage.
‘Let us leave them to have a moment’s privacy,’ Susan’s father stated, turning away to return to his study and his business.
‘Come along.’ Susan’s mother wrapped an arm about Susan’s. ‘Shall we walk outside in the rear garden and discover what new flowers have begun to bud?’
Susan withdrew her arm. ‘I left my shawl in the drawing room. I will need it. I will just fetch it.’ She hurried away.
Within the drawing room, Susan did not immediately collect her shawl from the sofa, but walked to the window – pulled there by emotions. Empathy? Her fingers lifted and touched the glass as she looked at the carriage in the driveway. Henry was holding both of Alethea’s hands and speaking intently, while Alethea looked at him her eyes wide, expressing her happiness. He leaned then and kissed her lips, just for an instant.
Was that their first kiss? If it was then perhaps Alethea would speak of it later, but Susan would not admit she’d watched. She should not be watching.
They held hands for a few moments more, then Henry climbed into the carriage. Alethea remained on the drive watching and waving as it drew away.
Susan imagined Henry waving his goodbye from within.
He said during luncheon, when she asked whether Samson would miss him, that Uncle Robert told him Samson’s habit was to lie in the hall for weeks after Henry left, hoping for his return. The poor dog may have months to wait. But she would see Henry again in six weeks. Six weeks seemed a long time away too.
9
Susan looked through the window at the grand houses lining the street. She had often come to her parents’ home in London, but she had not been for two years, and this year was different. This year they were to take part in the season.
‘I told Henry we are arriving today. I asked him to call upon us. I hope he calls…’
Henry had written to Alethea weekly since returning to town. He had changed his ways and begun acting with some responsibility and thought for Alethea, his intent and commitment to pursue their engagement clear.
Susan was looking forward to seeing him too. When Alethea shared stories from his letters, Susan remembered the amusing, charming Henry with whom she had danced and talked. She would shamefully even admit herself to be a member of the Henry Marlow Appreciation Society.
There was one small issue, though, she was not certain if it was really his dancing and conversation that had charmed her, or if, in fact, seeing his injuries when he had been half naked had swayedher, or watching him sleep in his shirt and trousers within a room with the door shut. He had looked so vulnerable then. The sense of empathy she’d known in that moment hovered inside her.
The carriage rocked and creaked as it rolled over the cobbles, and from outside came other noises, other carriages, animals and people.
When they arrived at the town house, her father climbed out first. He helped her mother, then Alethea, and then with a smile he held his hand out for Susan to take. She smiled too, excitement skipping through her nerves. She was looking forward to the balls, and to visiting museums and galleries. Alethea had promised to accompany her on some explorations.
Henry arrived at four. Two hours after they arrived. Susan leaned over the bannister and looked down as Alethea hurried down the stairs into the hall. He had come with his cousin, Harry, who was an officer in the army. Harry was dressed in his scarlet regimentals. Henry was in black and grey.
Henry took Alethea’s hands and kissed each one.
Susan walked downstairs more sedately than her sister. Her mother and father were in the hall too.
Harry had stepped forward to take one of Alethea’s hands and was bowing over it. Henry looked up. His gaze immediately caught on Susan’s and clung to it as she walked down.
She smiled.
He smiled in return and the emotion lit up his eyes.
Yes, she had joined the Henry Marlow Appreciation Society. Yet there was no need for him to know it.
When Harry let go of Alethea’s hand, he met Susan’s gaze. He looked very smart in his uniform. Susan had not seen him since he had become an officer. But he was the son of Uncle Robert’s brother, another of her father’s friends whom they called UncleEdward. Like Henry, Harry had been brought up so close to them it felt as though he were their cousin.
‘Hello, Harry, I have not seen you for an age.’ As she stepped off the bottom stair and held her hands out towards him, Harry came forward.
She sensed Henry was still watching her but she did not turn to look.
Harry kissed the backs of her fingers. His lips were warm and her hands cold.
Susan remembered the kiss Henry had given Alethea when they’d last seen each other, and wondered how warm a man’s lips would feel against hers.
Harry smiled heartily at her. He had always been a jovial companion, if perhaps a little wild. Very much like Henry, except less self-centred.
