Page 33 of Loving a Dowager
“Are you not going back to tend to Theo?”
“No, she has her husband and a very competent midwife.” Henrietta sank into the settee Theo had occupied earlier. “Please stay and keep me company?”
Walter moved to the sideboard. “Madeira or something stronger?”
“Brandy. Seeing my stalwart niece in distress has me…”
Walter held out a glass containing a splash of deep amber liquid. “Upset. Reliving the experience?”
Taking the glass with two hands, she took a sip. “It’s odd. During the birthing of both my boys, I swore to never let George touch me again. But within weeks, the memories of the discomfort were muted and soon forgotten.” She reached out and tugged on his hand.
Walter sat silently next to her.
“Did you not want children of your own?”
“No—not for a single moment. After all, when I became guardian to both my brothers’ offspring, I had my hands full.”
Henrietta raised her glass. “You have raised your charges to be well-respected members of society.”
Their glasses clinked. “As have you.” Walter finished the contents of his glass and shifted to place the glass upon the side table. There was weariness to his movements.
She waited for him to meet her gaze. “Is there something amiss?”
“Nay.”
“Do you regret kissing me?”
“I remember this about you. Always questioning.”
“Then you should recall that I’m not one easily dissuaded.” She shifted closer. “What is the matter?”
He sighed. “I love you. I’ve loved you every moment since the day you found me lost in the woods.”
She loved him too, but the words remained caught in her heart. She moved back to the furthest corner of the settee and gently positioned him to lean back and rest his head in her lap like they had long ago. “Do you remember when we would sit in the grass?”
Eyes closed, Walter remained tense. She ran her finger over his brow and his features softened. “I remember everything.”
She cupped his jaw and stroked his cheek with her thumb. “The fondest moments of my childhood are those when it was just the two of us.”
He opened his eyes. “Those are mine as well.” He placed a hand over hers, halting her movements. “I wished and prayed every night that things could remain the same, that we didn’t have to grow up, that you would wait for me. But then I met George. He was the man I wanted to be when I matured. He loved you just as much as I. He was the perfect gentleman.”
Henrietta chuckled, bobbing her head up and down. She trailed her hand down to his chest. “George was many things, but he was not perfect. And in a peculiar way, I did end up waiting for you.” She released each button of his jacket. As she bent over him, his breath warmed the top of her breasts. She no longer wanted to reminisce over the past, she wanted to create fresh memories with Walter. Working on the buttons of his waistcoat, Henrietta gasped as Walter’s hands pulled her down by the shoulders. The tip of his tongue slipped between the valley between her bosoms. Sliding her hands to his side, she tugged fiercely at his lawn shirt, freeing it from his breeches. She slipped her hand lower, under his waistband, to cup his engorged manhood. He was well endowed.
Panting, Walter said, “Henrietta. We must stop.”
“Why?” She pulled her hand away and straightened.
“We are in Archbroke’s home.”
Recalling their location coupled with the realization that Theo’s wailing had subsided, Henrietta said, “Ah. You are right, we should move to a more private location.” She grabbed his hand and hauled him over to the secret passage.
“Where are you taking me?”
She stilled his hands, which were attempting to tuck the ends of his shirt back into place. She stepped closer and whispered, “To my chambers.”
He tugged at his cravat that sat askew. “You have rooms here too?”
“Yes. It was all arranged weeks ago.” She pulled on the lever to release the latch and pulled the secret door open. “All PORF residences are designed the same. Since you already know of most of our secrets, sharing this won’t be any different.” She tugged him into the tight passageway. Pressed up against him, she let the excitement settle before tugging the entrance closed. She waited a moment to let their eyes adjust to the darkness. Only small peep holes along the corridor allowed the barest of light in.
