Chapter Twenty-One
Henny still didn’t understand how it happened precisely, but it was clear that Mr. McTavish and Lady Smythe thought that if she were found in his bed that he would be forced to marry her. Well, that might have been true under different circumstances, but they hadn’t accounted for Lady Penelope, or his friends Kit and War.
He did know that rather than be outraged or missish about a woman being found in his bed, Penelope had taken over like a general to ensure that the scene was confined to those closest to him. Kit explained it to him while Lady Penelope questioned the doctor earlier. Then she’d stayed by his side all day. Every time he’d awoken, she was nearby. It was comforting and outrageously attractive. He never wanted her to leave again.
He didn’t want to be a burden to her, but she didn’t seem to consider him a burden. Rather than chide him about his poor decisions or tell him what to do, she always encouraged him to take time to think for himself.
She returned to his room and closed the door behind her. “We should have a few moments before Sarah returns.”
He held his arms open to her and she crawled up from the foot of the bed to nestle against him. As much as he wanted her carnally, this was good, too. Then she sighed and rubbed a hand over his chest.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“That I wish we had more time,” she said, “because you can’t do everything I want you to do to me before Sarah returns.”
He chuckled. “Maybe I can do one thing. What one thing do you want me to do, Penelope?”
She shook her head and burrowed closer. “Someone tried to take you away from me today, Henny, and that can never happen. Never.”
He was pleased that she’d called him by the nickname he’d come to love, but even more so that her feelings about the day matched his. Someone had tried to come between them. She’d thwarted them with her level headedness and quick action. She deserved every bit of pleasure she wanted.
“I want to stay with you tonight.”
He kissed the side of her throat. “I would like nothing better.”
They heard a clatter in the sitting room.
“That is undoubtedly Sarah,” Penelope said with a sigh. She slid out from the bed to fetch their supper.
***
PEN WAS SURE HER FACE flamed with embarrassment as she took the tray from Sarah. Her friend grinned at her wryly.
“Is he feeling better?”
“Much,” she said softly.
“I was thinking I might take in the air for a bit. You’ll be all right here, won’t you?”
Pen bit her lip as she nodded.
She returned to the bedroom and pushed the door closed behind her again.
“What did she say?” Henry asked.
“She’s going to take the air for a bit,” Pen said as she set the tray at the foot of the bed. “Are you hungry?”
“For you? Yes.”
“You need to eat to keep up your strength!”
He arose from the bed. It was the first time she’d seen him in all his glory. Her heart pounded and she felt lightheaded.
“I think you’ll find my strength is unimpaired.” He pulled her close for a soft, drugging kiss.
“Then you’ll need to unbutton my dress,” she said with a shaky breath.
“Yes, my lady.” He turned her so that he could work on the little buttons at the back of her gown. Once it was loose enough, he pushed it off her arms and it pooled at her feet. He removed her chemise and tossed it aside. Her skin burned with heat, but also broke out in gooseflesh. He wrapped his arms around her, her back tucked snuggly against his chest. His hands roamed over her, giving pleasure and comfort in equal measure. She didn’t think she could stand to be apart from him ever again.
***
WHEN HEN AWOKE, PENELOPE was gone. Less than a full day and he already craved her at his side always. They’d made love throughout the night. They’d fed each other tidbits from the supper tray. There had been laughter over nonsense, stories from their childhoods, and sweet moments of simply staring into one another’s eyes.
Euclid jumped on his bed and Hen heard footsteps in his sitting room.
“Are you awake?” Kit’s voice preceded him into the room.
“Do you two really care?” Hen asked. There was a long history of his friends having no sympathy about waking him.
Kit sat on the edge of his bed and War leaned against the wall near his door, looking even more brooding than usual. Kit looked back at War for a moment, and that made Hen uneasy.
“What’s wrong?” Hen asked.
Kit looked at him again. “You’ve just missed a drama over at the house. Lady Penelope’s parents have taken her home. She did not go peacefully.”
Hen sat up. “Don’t speak in riddles, Kit.”
War stepped forward. “We didn’t hear everything, but your lady veritably screamed that she wouldn’t leave you and her father’s footman carried her off to the carriage.”
Hen had already been concerned that he didn’t measure up in the earl’s estimation. What did this all mean? They’d not even announced their betrothal yet, there was nothing formal between them. If the earl didn’t approve of him, then he had no recourse. Well, nothing short of taking her to Scotland if she were willing.
Kit put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t fret yet, we don’t know what it means.”
“Her father doesn’t like me,” Hen said in a low voice.
“You don’t know-”
War interrupted Kit, “No, I agree with him. The earl watches him with a certain distaste, but I don’t know why.”
Hen nodded. “I knew that if even I’d noticed it, that it was very clear.”
“Do you love her?” Kit asked.
Hen fisted his hands in the bedclothes. “Beyond reason.”
Kit nodded but War made a disapproving sound and said, “Love is no basis for marriage.”
“I would kill for her, I would die for her,” Hen said. “Call it what you will, but I want the world to know that she is mine and I am hers.”
Kit looked up at War. “The earl has no idea, but I think our Hen has found himself a new bag of kittens.”
Hen subsided into silence because he didn’t think that engaging the earl in fisticuffs would at all help his suit. On the other hand, he had no idea what would.