“I do. My family and the Carpenter family, Grace Worthington’s relations, are close neighbors. It was a way we could all come together easily. Did you not have neighbors with whom you socialized?”
“Not in that way.” He wished he had. “The gatherings were much more formal. My father was a high-stickler.”
“Ah.” Henrietta gave him a pitying look. “The sort of person who would not allow you to play with others of inferior status or rank?”
“Yes. I was sent away to school at eight years.” Even now he recalled how distraught he’d been at leaving home at that age.
Her lips pressed into a straight, disapproving line. “My brother did not go to Eton until he was twelve.”
Nate swallowed the last of his bread and cheese. “When I have a son that is what I’ll do too. Eight is too young.”
“Much too young,” she agreed.
He could see them with a son, loving him and teaching him all he needed to know before going off to school. He glanced at her and their eyes met. Had she been thinking the same thing?
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Henrietta fell into Fotherby’s blue-green gaze. It was almost as if they were planning their lives together. A footman came around, breaking the spell she seemed to be under.
“May I take the plates?” the servant asked.
“Yes.” She handed the plates, silver, and glasses to the footman, then rose, shook out her skirts, and glanced around. All of their friends had fallen asleep. “My lord, would you care to take a walk?”
“I would.” Fotherby had already scrambled to his feet when she stood. “There appear to be a good many paths. Which way would you like to go?”
Somewhere she could be alone with him. After her discussion with Merton this morning and the decision she had come to, it was time she made Fotherby understand that she had made her choice. He was the only gentleman she wished to wed. One way or another, they would find a way to deal with the consequences. For a scant second Henrietta wondered if he had decided on her as well, but he had never given her reason to believe he had not. She took a breath. “It is a little warm. The woods look refreshing.”
“We’ll see if your supposition is correct.” He grinned as he held out his arm, and she tucked her hand in the crook.
The path to the wood was fairly short and they reached it within a few minutes. It was like stepping into another world. Not only was it cooler, but small spring flowers dotted the ground, and the songbirds were a little louder. She could still see the pond on the right.
“Look over there.” Fotherby pointed to the right. “The deer.”
There was a stag and a hind with a rounded belly. They stood quietly and watched the animals graze before ambling on.
The sound of ducks made Henrietta glance toward the pond. “It is so peaceful here.”
“It is.” He laughed lightly. “Even though it is not quiet, with the birds singing and the ducks flapping around and quacking. It’s like a place out of time.”
Henrietta knew what he meant. “I almost expect to see woodland fairies or pixies hidden among the flowers.”
“I hope you don’t see them. Neither of the beings is particularly helpful.”
“You have a point.” They absolutely did not need any more trouble than they already had.
She glanced up at him as he looked down at her. Before she had always been fascinated by his eyes, but now she noticed how well shaped his lips were. His bottom lip was slightly larger than his top lip, but not so much that he appeared as if he was pouting. What she really wanted to know was how his lips would feel on her lips. If only she could bring herself to stand on tiptoe and press her mouth to his. But even she was not that bold. There were some things she must leave to him. She felt herself move closer to him, and his arm went around her waist. Then his head bent, and his lips touched hers as if they were a feather brushing gently.
Henrietta placed her hand on his jacket and slid them over his shoulders and around his neck. Fotherby pulled her closer, tilted his head, and deepened the kiss. Frissons of pleasure speared through her body, and she pressed closer, flattening her breasts against his hard chest. His tongue gently probed the seam of her lips, and she opened to him. She had heard about this form of kissing, but it never occurred to her she could actually like it. Yet with him she did.
He stroked and caressed her with one hand while the other held her tightly to him. Each stroke, each caress built the fire inside her higher. An ache formed between her legs. If only he would touch herthere. As if he knew what she needed, his leg pressed her thighs apart and moved against the place that ached. His hand covered her breast, and even through her stays she could feel his heat. The tension between her legs increased, and she rubbed against him, needing to somehow relieve the ache that only grew stronger and more insistent. Then her body quaked and quivered and shattered. This was what she’d been told was so intense it could not truly be described. This was what occurred between a man and a woman who were in love. But that could not be. She was certain it was supposed to happen when they were joined. She hadn’t noticed his hand on her bottom, holding her until it moved in a light caress. She felt stirrings of passion again, but he moved his hand to her waist before she begged him for more of what he had done. Yet there was a hollow space that had not been filled.
“Henrietta.” His breath was soft and warm against her ear. “I love you.” He feathered kisses along her jaw. “I have from almost the second I saw you. When I discovered who you were, I tried to step back, but I couldn’t. I wanted you so much.”
Fotherby’s words sank deep into her heart. Tears pricked her eyes. She was filled with so much joy it almost paralyzed her. She forced herself to lean back and gaze into his eyes. “I love you too.” She lowered her eyes, then lifted them to his once more. “When I found out who you were I still wanted to meet you. I should not have, but I did. I even attempted to form an interest in other gentlemen, but there was nothing there, and I could not do it. It was not until then that I knew I loved you.”
“We will work out our problems. I won’t allow you to be estranged from your family. I couldn’t be that selfish.”
“Well.” Henrietta cupped his cheek. “We have one, possibly two of my family on my side.”
