The words made her heart twist and spin, melancholy mixing with glee, missed opportunities and hurt blending with anticipation and tempered with bitterness. “I missed you, too.”
He smiled, not the smile he shared with his friends, with those he entertained so easily. She knew the expression was special, a gift he offered to her tentatively, like a child offering a flower. “I’ve had an idea.” Henry squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. “Stay in London. Take an apartment in town, and you can attend lectures at the museums. I’m constantly being invited to the dull things and I never go, but with you I might understand what the old codgers are talking about.”
Ellie blinked hard, staring at a spot on the pavement. “I don’t know, it…” She gave a mirthless chuckle. “It’s not expected of a widow.”
Henry removed his hat and ran a hand through his hair. He must know the perfect way to align his fingers so it would fall rakishly in gentle waves, like rivers of obsidian. “You shouldn’t be alone. A boring lecture on art isn’t an adventure, but you’re too intelligent to waste away in the country.”
An abrupt laugh escaped her. When was the last time she had laughed? “Henry, that’s a ridiculous notion. Women never attend such things, not with gentlemen present.”
“And what do you care?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “You’re a wealthy, titled widow. You can do whatever you’d like. To hell with the consequences.”
She grinned, allowing herself to be drawn along on the tide of Henry, the man who washed away her troubles. “You’re a madman, Henry.”
“I’ve always suspected as much, but you must admit you like me.”
Her leaping heart froze, then squeezed tight.
“I do like you, Henry. Quite a bit.”
“Then stay with me.” He reached out one gloved hand as though he intended to take hers, but then dropped it to his side. “I once promised you an adventure and failed to deliver. Let me make it up to you now.”
The gleam in his eyes was so enchanting, so intriguing that she couldn’t deny him this. Couldn’t deny him anything. “I suppose I could stay with my mother,” she whispered, and his entire face lit up, a grin spreading from ear to ear. “But you have to promise you won’t ignore me again. I can’t do this without you.”
Henry stepped closer, finally bridging the distance and taking her hand in his for a brief squeeze before dropping it. “I promise. I can’t do this without you, either.”
Chapter 17
Enteringtheirsuite,Ellie’sskin tingled with nervous energy, her fingers trembling and breaths coming fast. Henry passed into his room, tossing his hat aside and discarding his soaked jacket. She disrobed in her chamber, pulling her night rail and robe over her shivering form before padding towards his room in her bare feet.
Henry had made it clear he felt nothing for her, and she was tired of waiting for him to change his mind. If she wanted pleasure, she would need to take it for herself.
“Henry?” she said, attempting to control the tremor in her voice.
“Mm-hmm?” He removed his collar and dropped it on the dressing table before working on his cufflinks.
Ellie’s jaw dropped at the sight of his back, the muscles rippling under his wet, clinging shirt as he moved to spread the jacket over a low bench.Good lord, the man could put the statue of David to shame.
“Ellie?”
She started and swallowed, her throat parched.
Henry looked over his shoulder, his expression blank. “You said my name?”
“Right,” she croaked. “I need your help.”
“With what?” He leaned over with a groan to untie his shoes.
She took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut. “I need you to help me find a lover.”
Silence. She cracked one eye open. Under a different set of circumstances, the sight of Henry—eyes wide as saucers, partially dressed, and standing on one foot like a flamingo as he held one foot in his hands—would have sent her into fits of hysterics. He dropped his foot, stumbled, and fell into the side of the bed before dropping in a heap to the floor.
Ellie clapped her hands over her mouth as he clamored to his feet, blinking hard. “Wh-what did you say?”
Deep breath. Be brave.“I want to take a lover, but I have no idea how to go about doing that. Can you help me find someone?”
His face transformed from deathly pale to crimson. “You—me? And—”
Sudden horror rushed through her and words poured out like water. “I’m not askingyouto do the actual…loveringpart, but to help me find someone, tell me how it all works. You’ve had lovers before, and I need to learn.”
