Page 35 of The Reckless Love of an Heir
‘How are you, Susan?’
‘Very well, thank you, and you? How do you like the life of a soldier?’
‘It is nothing but revelry.’
‘You are entirely suited to it then.’
She glanced at Henry. He was still watching her. ‘Hello, Henry.’ Her cheery voice was cooled by a sudden awkward feeling as emotions hollowed out her innards. She could not claim empathy, Henry was now healthy and virile and smiling at her in a way he never had before. It bore a resemblance to the way he smiled at Alethea.
Harry let her hands slip free from his. She bobbed the slightest of curtsies in Henry’s direction, avoiding moving closer and offering her hand. She could not bear for him to touch her at that moment; the hollow feeling had made her queasy. If he touched her, she might vomit.
‘Shall we go into the drawing room and take tea?’ her mother invited.
‘Susan.’ Harry offered his arm.
She took it willingly, gripped it gently and they walked ahead. ‘Have you been wicked of late or has becoming a soldier dulled you?’
He laughed. ‘Not at all. I am still very capable of wickedness, but I suppose nothing has livened you up. I would wager you still have your head buried in books most of the day, and I suppose you have not come to London for the entertainments but to discover what might be learned. Well, I have a sennight’s leave so I shall offer myself up as an escort if you wish, to ensure you are pleased with your visit to town. What about the new Victoria and Albert Museum, have you been there? Or would you care to go?’
She looked at him. ‘I have not been and I’d love to go, Harry, thank you.’
‘We should go as a four,’ Henry said behind them.
Susan glanced back at Alethea. Museums and galleries were not her favourite places and yet she had promised to accompany Susan.
Alethea smiled at Susan, then looked at Henry. ‘That is a wonderful idea.’
Of course, his presence would mean Alethea need not look at the artefacts or the art, but focus on enchanting Henry.
Harry began educating her on what she should expect of her visit to town. Perhaps the balls would be more fun than she had imagined, with Harry to play escort. He had numerous cousins on his mother’s side too, whom she knew to various degrees, so she might even have enough partners to keep her dancing.
When they sat in the drawing room, drinking tea, Alethea talked with Henry and occasionally threw a teasing comment at Harry. Butmostly their conversations remained separate, except every time Susan looked at Alethea and Henry, Henry always happened to be watching her and caught her looking. On occasions his lips quirked up at the corner, yet at other times he merely looked back at Alethea.
‘We should leave,’ Henry stated after almost an hour, and rose. ‘I would not wish to outstay our welcome.’
‘You are welcome to stay for as long as you wish,’ Alethea answered, standing too.
Henry gave her a warm, charming smile. ‘I must go, though. Harry and I are due to meet others at our club.’
He arranged to take Alethea out driving in his curricle the following day. Then Harry suggested the day after should be for their excursion to the Victoria and Albert Museum.
‘Yes, please.’ Susan’s hand rested on Harry’s as it lay on the sofa between them. His hand embraced hers in return.
‘But that will be the morning after Mama’s ball and I shall be too tired to do the outing justice,’ Alethea complained.
Susan looked towards her sister, but instead her gaze caught Henry looking at hers and Harry’s joined hands. She slipped her hand free of Harry’s and Henry looked up.
‘Then the next day,’ Harry said.
‘Yes, if you wish,’ Alethea agreed.
Susan turned sideways on the sofa to face Harry, so she would not be inclined to look at Henry. ‘I will look forward to it more than the ball.’
‘I thought you might like the idea, book-head.’
She smiled as Harry stood, then stood too.
Alethea wrapped her arms about Henry’s neck and kissed his cheek. It was a forward gesture but they were to be engaged. Henry pressed a kiss on Alethea’s cheek in return.
