Page 37 of Wicked Is the Duke
Little did they know, there was more to Robert and Anna Grover's background to the crown than they let on. Henry and Robert had spent a few occasions over a bottle of brandy discussing how Robert might come back into his own.
He knew Robert was returning to the continent in part to try and right family history. But for now, Henry's attention was on his bride, his duchess.
Anna had looked magnificent in her cream silk gown. She almost took his breath away she was so beautiful. If she was nervous, she tried not to let it show. Watching her a couple of times, he thought he saw a quick glimmer of her nerves trying to crash through. She pushed away whatever she was feeling and regally stood beside him as she said her vows.
Now here they were enjoying their wedding breakfast. As soon as they were finished, they would sneak off. No one would miss them, not really. If they did, no one would think a thing about it. It was not unheard of for a groom and his bride to sneak off to their chambers to begin a wedding feast of their own.
They would quietly leave in a wagon made for the terrain, going along another path that connected with the main one leading to the lake. There he would hand the wagon off to a stable boy, and he would row Anna to the small island in the middle of the lake.
He'd snuck out to the cottage and found his housekeeper and her staff had worked wonders in getting it ready for them. The pantry had been stocked with cheese, fruit, bread, and other food stuffs. Bottles of wine lined the shelf as well. Once a day their meals would be brought over in a rowboat, which would be hidden when unused. The last thing Henry wanted was uninvited guests. The meals would be fairly simple because he doubted either of them would have much of an appetite.
He'd been trying to have a conversation with his sister, who sat to his left. His mind wasn't wanting to engage in anything she said. He picked at his breakfast, and afterwards, they'd cut the cake and returned to their table.
It was time for them to escape. If he waited much longer, he was sure he'd go mad. Though they'd consummated their relationship before the wedding, this would be different. He would be making love to his wife.
The thought of her creamy skin against his made his cock harden. His thoughts turned to what he imagined doing to her, how he would teach her what he liked, and how she would learn what she liked.
"Come," he whispered in her ear.
"We can't possibly retire right now, Henry. We have guests."
"Trust me, they'll not notice we've left, and if they do, no one will say a word," he replied. "It's sort of expected."
She smiled shyly. "Very well."
He took her hand as she rose from her chair. He led her down the stairs. They walked toward the stables as the crowd continued with the festivities.
"This isn't the way to your chambers. Where are we going?" she asked.
"Somewhere where we won't be disturbed or heard," he replied. He smiled and pulled her closer. "Trust me, you'll love it."
The wagon was waiting, and he helped her up. He watched her as she settled herself on the seat before climbing up to join her. A stable boy had climbed into the back, trying to make himself unnoticed.
Her eyes lit up when he stopped the wagon in front of the lake. The row boat was waiting for them. "Oh, Henry, are we going to stay in the cottage?"
"Yes, the one on the island."
She clapped her hands in delight. "This is such a wonderful surprise."
"I thought you might like it. A boy will bring us our meals once a day, and there is plenty to eat. It'll just be you and me for two days. Longer if we so desire."
"You amaze me, Henry. Please, lead on, husband."
He led her to the edge of the lake where the stable boy had the small boat ready. He helped her in, she sat down, and he followed. This was the first day of the rest of their lives, and he intended to make every memory they made count.
