“Actually, I was not. I was thinking about my neighbors. There are a few with young children.” He looked forward to her meeting the people where he lived. He couldn’t wait to have her with him every day, and in his bed every night. Even now his fingers itched to slide through her silky hair, kiss her, make her his.
She smiled up at him. “I will enjoy meeting them. Our children will have others to play with.”
“Fotherby.” The duchess’s formidable tone interrupted them. “Do you have a desire to sit in solitary splendor with a bottle of port?”
He hadn’t seen her rise and quickly got to his feet. “No, your grace. I am more than happy to join you.”
“Come along, then.” She swept out of the dining room, followed by his mother.
Henrietta tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. “Will you want to have port alone after we marry?”
“I think we can make a new tradition. We can simply spend time together.” He arched a brow. “Unless you would like to join me when I drink port.”
She gave an exaggerated shiver. “I do not like port at all. You may, however, join me in whichever room we decide to occupy after dinner and bring the bottle with you.”
“That sounds like an excellent plan.” He’d had fantasies about having her in his bed and making love to her, but he knew now that he was going to enjoy being married to her, living their lives together. They entered the parlor, and the duchess and his mother were engaged in close conversation. “Do you want to go on a wedding trip?”
“I would like to.” Her voice was a little wishful. She sat on the sofa they’d sat on before dinner. “Perhaps we can visit Paris for a few weeks. Both the Turleys and the Exeters went there after their weddings.”
Nate took his place next to her. Paris was an excellent idea. They could finally be alone. “In that case, they will be able to tell us where to stay and what to see.”
She had a beatific smile on her beautiful countenance. “I cannot believe how easy this was, our becoming betrothed.”
Almost too easy, but he wasn’t going to ruin her mood, or his for that matter. He grinned to himself. Bolingbroke and St. Albans were going to have to find another lady to squire around.
“You look like a cat in the cream.”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “I was thinking of all the things I could not do before that I can now.”
His beloved Henrietta appeared confused. “Such as?”
“Give you flowers. Take you for carriage rides, unless you’d rather have your own sporting carriage.”
She tilted her head, obviously giving it some thought. “Perhaps later. What else?”
“I will be able to take you to the theater, and balls, and other entertainments. Do you realize that we will probably not dance together until we are married?” And make love to her all night and day if they wanted.
“I had not thought of it, but you are right.” She glanced quickly at the older ladies. “Is there not anything else?”
“Minx. Finish what we began this afternoon.” Nate wished he could take her in his arms.
“That sounds like a fine idea.” Henrietta grinned. She was more than willing to continue what they had started. In many ways, marriage to Nate was going to be a new adventure. “Tell me about your home.”
“My main estate is called Ouse Tower. It’s in Bedfordshire, not far from the town of Bedford. It was originally just a tower castle, but over the years it grew. Fortunately, my ancestors did it in a way that didn’t make it a mishmash of styles.”
She had never heard of a tower castle in England. “I thought all the tower castles were on the border with Scotland?”
“I think it might be the only one left in England. It was built as a defense for Bedford in the tenth century. But according to our records, two wings were quickly added, making the tower the hall of the castle.”
“It sounds fascinating.” Henrietta could not wait to see it. There was also an important aspect to its location. “I take it your estate is on the west side of Bedford.” Nate nodded. “My family’s home is on the east side. It is probably only a half-day’s journey.”
Just then, tea was brought in and set on the table between the sofas. Her grandmother glanced at her and inclined her head. “Henrietta, you may pour.”
“Thank you, Grandmamma.” She moved to the edge of the sofa, and poured her grandmother’s cup first. “My lady, how do you like your tea?”
“One lump and a little milk, thank you.”
She made Nate’s cup next, then hers. Henrietta had not yet swallowed the sip she took when her grandmother said, “You have had tea together before.”
