Nate held his breath as Henrietta rushed to her rooms. He’d hated to let her go. All he had wanted to do was hold her forever. It hadn’t occurred to him that being with her would be so unlike anything else he had ever experienced. Seeing her respond to him, feeling her body accept him, knowing she was his forever. The difference had to be that he loved her, and she loved him. Nate had never had a woman love him before.
He went back into the bedchamber, took out his handkerchief again, and dabbed at the spot of blood. Fortunately, the counterpane contained myriad dark colors, including red, and the spot didn’t show very much. He might have to have his valet clean it. He looked at the crumpled cloth in his hand. At least Styles wouldn’t make a fuss about it.
Using the door between the rooms, Nate entered his bedchamber. The full bath was already in front of the fireplace, and his valet was laying out his clothing. “Some of my betrothed’s garments are in the viscountess’s chamber. They will need to be given to her dresser.”
“I shall see to it, my lord. Is there anything else?”
He opened his hand. “This must be taken care of.”
Styles’s expression didn’t change at all. “Indeed, my lord. I shall take care of that as well.”
Nate glanced at the clock. It was still early, but he was hungry, and he knew Henrietta would be as well. “Send a message to Cook that I will be down within the hour to break my fast.”
“Do you wish to have breakfast served earlier from now on?” Styles asked
Nate stepped into the tub. That would be a good idea, except for Henrietta’s family arriving. His beloved rose early enough. “Tomorrow I do. After that Miss Stern’s parents arrive. I do not know if they are early risers or not.”
His valet nodded. “I have it ordered for tomorrow for you and Miss Stern.”
“Thank you.” It would be nice to have breakfast with only his betrothed.
Just under an hour later, Nate knocked softly on her door. Her dresser opened it and stood aside. “Miss, his lordship is here.”
She placed the book she was reading on the table next to her. When she rose he caught his breath. The pale pink gown she wore matched the color in her cheeks. How was it that every time he saw her she was more beautiful? “Has something happened?”
“Not at all.” He held out his hand to her. “I ordered breakfast for us. I am hungry, and I thought you might be as well.”
Her smile almost brought him to his knees. “That was an excellent idea. Let us go break our fast.”
As if by mutual consent, they refrained from speaking until they had reached the first landing. “I sent instructions for Cook to have breakfast ready tomorrow morning at about this time as well. What I do not know is whether your family are early risers.”
Henrietta patted his arm consolingly. “They are. But we have today and tomorrow.”
And, after they wed, the rest of their lives.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
The next morning, Henrietta and Nate had been able to sneak into her future rooms and make love again. What she had not expected was that her dresser and his valet would be ready to attend to them as soon as they were finished.
Her parents arrived shortly before luncheon. After greeting them she motioned to Nate, who was standing by the stairs as if he was unsure about coming forward.
“Mama, Papa, I would like to introduce Viscount Fotherby to you. Nate, my parents, Sir Henry and Lady Stern.”
Nate stepped over to them and bowed to Mama before offering his hand to Papa. Henrietta held her breath until her father not only clasped Nate’s hand, but drew him into a hug. “So you’re to be my new son.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Welcome to the family.” Her father beamed. “We trust you will make Henrietta happy.”
“I shall do my very best.” She thought she saw a shine in his eyes as he put his arms around her father.
Mama took out a handkerchief and blew her nose. “Yes, indeed. Welcome.”
“Thank you, sir, ma’am.” Nate’s voice seemed to catch. “I am honored to be a part of the Stern family.”
“Is someone going to introduce us?” Stephen, her younger brother, who was fifteen, said.
Martha, their nine-year-old younger sister, tugged Henrietta’s hand and pulled her down. “He is very handsome.”
