“So we’ve been told,” he replied. “After that there are only a few more days until the wedding.” Nate still had not asked anyone to stand up with him. He wanted to ask Merton, but considering his wife’s feelings, that might not be a good idea. Perhaps he would ask Exeter or Turley.
“Henrietta told us that she is redecorating the viscountess’s rooms,” Georgie said.
“Are you?” Nate wondered why he had not known that.
“Yes.” Henrietta nodded as they started moving again. “Your mother suggested it. The work will be accomplished while we are away.” Her friends each gave her the same look, as if they wanted her to do something. “Would you like to help me choose some of the fabrics or furnishings?”
“If you wish.” He didn’t know how much help he could be. He barely noticed his bedchamber. But now that he thought about it, why not make a few changes? “You could help me with my room as well.”
She let out a breath, and her friends had satisfied smiles on their faces. He must be missing something. They were nearing the gate when it finally hit him that if he helped her and had her help him, they might actually be alone. Nate had given up trying to be with her until after the wedding. He was getting hard just thinking about her in his bedchamber. They’d only really kissed once. He’d have to go very slowly. The other question was whether he should try to seduce her before the ceremony. That had not worked out well for John Odell and Emily. On the other hand, Nate had a special license, and a clergyman could be summoned quickly if something were to happen to him within the next few days. He glanced at Henrietta, taking in her firm jaw, slender neck, and bountiful breasts. Knowing she was beneath his roof, he’d been trying not to think about how desirable she was. His body tightened with the need to hold her and make her his.
Their little group reached the gate, and Dorie and Georgie turned left, while he and Henrietta rode straight on.
Her green eyes speared him with a searching look. “You have been quiet. Are you feeling all right?”
“Yes.” God, yes. “I’ve just been thinking about”—this had to be believable—“your parents’ arrival.”
Her deep pink lips rose at the ends. “I do not think you have anything to worry about. Papa will treat you the same way he treats Merton or my older brother.”
“That’s what Merton said.” Nate didn’t think he’d mind that at all. In fact, he was looking forward to it.
But right now he wanted to be alone with Henrietta. They stopped in front of his house, and he hurried around to lift her from her horse. She breathed in sharply when his hands circled her waist. Then her eyes widened when he slowly lowered her feet to the pavement. “Do you think this would be a good time for me to see the samples?”
The pulse at the base of her throat quickened, and he hoped her thoughts were the same as his. “I think it would be an excellent time.”
Holding hands, they strolled into the house and up the staircase. The corridor was quiet. The only movement was from the upstairs maid heading back downstairs. It occurred to him that he had rarely been in the vicountess’s rooms. Nate couldn’t even remember what they looked like. Opening the door, he waved Henrietta through to the parlor.
Drawing out a wicked-looking hat-pin, she removed the small hat from her head. “The fire has been lit. I did not think they would do that until later.”
He hoped the fire in the bedroom had been lit as well. “Why later?”
“I will be selecting the fabrics and colors for the rooms.” She took off the lacy cravat she wore around her neck.
“Ah.” He tossed his gloves on a table and noticed fabric swatches covered the sofa and all the chairs. He’d never actually seduced a woman before. Should he look at the material first? He glanced at her for some sort of hint, but she was staring at him, her still-gloved hands clutched tightly at her waist. Henrietta was nervous. Why had he not thought of that before? Naturally this would be her first time.
Reaching out, he took her hand. “Let me help you.” Slowly, he pulled off the first glove, then kissed each of her fingers, and did the same with the second hand. Henrietta came willingly into his arms and slid her hands up his chest and around his neck. “I have waited so long to do this.”
Henrietta sighed as Nate’s lips touched hers, and she opened for him. She had been nervous at first; then she’d seen the heat and love in his eyes and knew this was the right time. His large hands cradled her face as he slanted his head, deepening the kiss. She clung to him, absorbed in the feel of him. Threading her fingers through the soft waves of his hair, she pressed her body as close to his as possible. God, how she loved this man. Heat pooled between her legs, and she noticed she was pressed against a hard ridge. One of Nate’s hands lowered, caressing her neck, her décolletage, and finally the side of her breast. Fissions of pleasure shot through her, and the place between her legs began to throb. Her breathing was so shallow, she had trouble drawing a breath.
Nothing had ever felt so good or so frustrating. “More.”
“My pleasure.” Nate’s voice seemed deeper, almost rusty. He released the buttons on her jacket and slowly peeled it off her shoulders.
She should do her part as well. Once her spencer was off, she started to untie his cravat. “Your jacket—” He dipped his head and claimed her lips again as he shrugged off his jacket. The waistcoat was the next garment to go. He started unmooring the buttons down her back, caressing her skin as he did. Desire for him surged through her veins.
“We should move to the bedchamber,” he murmured against her neck. Before she could answer, her gown dropped to the floor, and he swept her up into his arms. Seconds later he gently placed her on the ornate, multicolored counterpane covering the bed. “That’s better.”
Henrietta’s jaw dropped, and she shut it quickly as he pulled his shirt over his head, revealing taut skin stretched over the muscles of his chest and flat stomach. No wonder he had felt so strong. The light covering of chestnut curls seemed to exist merely to tempt her to touch him.
The ridge she had felt looked larger, and she reached for the buttons of his breeches, but he stopped her. “Let’s save that for later.”
Nate removed his boots and stockings before gazing at her again. She touched the laces of her short stays, but he placed his hands over hers. “Allow me. Please.” The stays went the way of all clothing, and he drew her into his arms. “Tell me if you want me to stop.”
Henrietta did not think she would ever want him to stop. “I will.” She moved farther back onto the bed, bringing him with her. “Should I remove my shift?”
“Not yet.” Nate’s eyes seemed to take in every inch of her body, and heat rose from her neck to the cheeks. “You are beautiful. I can’t believe how lucky I am that you’re going to be with me forever.”
“You are beautiful as well.” She reached out, stroking his chest. “Much better than the marbles.”
