Chapter Thirty-One
Henry
She was in the folly in the small copse of trees behind the lake. Henry took the two steps at a jog and glared down at her seated form. “Your father told me you’d gone out for a walk.”
Katherine rested one shoulder on a faux Greek column. She sighed. “It sounds as though there is an accusation in that statement.”
“Damn right.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “There is a killer at this house. You cannot go wandering about alone.”
It was miraculous that he’d found her. Perrin Manor had miles of paths looping about the property. His anxiety had increased with each step he’d taken in his search.
She traced the outlines of one of the flowers embroidered on her gown. “I didn’t know where I was going so how could anyone know where to find me? If anyone wanted to find me,” she muttered.
He bit his tongue, deciding not to point out she could have been followed. He wanted her to take precautions, but he didn’t want her frightened. He tilted his head. “What’s wrong?”
“There is nothing wrong.”
“Liar.” Frowning, he stepped close, forcing her to raise her head to look at him. “Tell me.”
“There is nothing wrong that wasn’t wrong yesterday, the day before, or all my life.
” She raised one shoulder, her shawl slipping down her back.
“Father informed me he has a new husband in mind for me. He is going to write to ask for introductions when we return home. Not an industrialist, as he previously threatened. Even though he won’t admit it, I think he does like his daughters having titles.
At least this one is younger.” Her smile was bitter. “The son of a viscount.”
His stomach rolled. “So soon?” It did appear that Mr. Smith was eager to marry his youngest daughter off, though from speaking to him, Henry knew the man cared for Katherine very much. He probably thought getting Katherine settled was the best thing for her.
She picked a leaf off the seat beside her and threw it into the air. “You should give my father your direction. You’re already familiar with one party in question. You can write the new marriage contract.”
“I don’t want to write your marriage contract,” he growled.
Not unless…unless he was the other party.
But he wasn’t of sufficient wealth or status to make a contract necessary to any woman he married.
And her father would likely laugh him out of the room, or punch him in the nose, if he asked for her hand.
And why the hell was he putting marriage and Katherine Smith into the same sentence at all?
He scraped his fingers through his hair. “We should get back to the house.”
“He’ll pay you well for your services.”
Heat flushed through his body. “I don’t care about your father’s money,” he gritted out.
She smiled then, and a weight he hadn’t even realized he’d worn lifted off his chest. “You don’t, do you? You’re content with what you earn and don’t waste your time grasping for more.”
Giving up on a quick return to Perrin Manor, Henry sighed and sat next to her.
Her thigh pressed against his, and the light scent of flowers rose from her skin.
“I appreciate money as much as the next fellow, but I have enough wealthy clients to know it isn’t what brings you happiness.
I have enough to be comfortable, and that’s more than enough.
” But could it be enough for her? For someone who’d been raised with every luxury?
If he lost his senses and asked for her, could she be content merely being an attorney’s wife?
“And you decide which clients to take, where to live, how you live.” She stared down at her slippers. “I envy you that.”
“Katherine….”
She held up a hand. “Ignore me. I’m feeling dispirited today. I know I’m fortunate. If I feel trapped, at least it is in a lovely cage. There are so many trapped in much worse. In poverty. Sickness. They would exchange their cage for mine in an instant.”
She was right, of course. Life was misery for so many. That didn’t diminish the pain she felt, though. When she turned and gave him a watery smile, he could restrain himself no more.
Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her into his side.
She stiffened for a moment, then buried her face in his shoulder and wrapped both of her arms around his waist. A soft sob escaped her lips.
Henry kissed the crown of her head. “I’m sorry, Katherine.
” Instead of comforting her, some of her despair seeped into him.
She would be married off to a person of quality, and he would live the rest of his life wondering about what could have been.
It was the way of the world. And for the first time, he resented it.
And when she raised her face, her breath caressing his jaw, it seemed the most natural thing in the world to lower his head and press his lips to hers.
It started out as a kiss of comfort. An acknowledgement of all the things that must remain unsaid between them. A goodbye.
It didn’t last that way.
The kiss was salty from her tears, her despair clawing into his body, raising his ire.
His body tensed, his fingers digging into her flesh.
It wasn’t fair. Some other man would get to hold her like this.
Taste her. If he ever met the man, Henry didn’t know that he would be able to stop himself from thrashing the bloke.
She opened for him, sweetly, her fingers clinging to his shoulders. Her eagerness cooled some of his anger, but made him no less demanding.
He was losing his mind. He knew it, but seemed unable to stop his actions. Not his tongue from tasting every inch of her mouth, not his hand from skimming up under her skirts.
His body knew. In another time, in other circumstances, this woman would be his. His mind mocked his body. They weren’t in other circumstances. They lived in a society, one that wouldn’t condone their union.
Katherine tentatively lapped her tongue against his, and his mind lost the battle. Rational thought abandoned him, leaving only sensation. He reveled in his mindlessness. If he only allowed himself to feel, to act, he might just be able to forget that she would marry another man.
*
It was most unfair. She should have never met Henry. Never have known what true passion felt like in the arms of someone she loved. Not before marrying an earl or viscount’s son. If she had entered into her marriage without knowing, she might have been able to find a sort of contentment.
Now all she could hope for was that these memories would sustain her.
Henry gripped the back of her thigh, tugged, and she gladly followed his direction and straddled his lap.
This was better. Knowing what it was like to be touched by the man she loved, it had to be better than going her whole life without ever experiencing this feeling. So when Henry released his falls and guided her hand to his member, she let him, reveling in the pleasure she saw etched on his face.
When he tore at the opening of her pantalets, his fingers starting a fire as they moved against her, she let him do that, too.
And when he guided her to seat herself upon him, God help her, she let him do that, too.
They moved as one, staring into each other’s eyes, and Katherine thought nothing in the world could ever feel so good.
And then it got better.