Page 42 of Loving a Dowager
He squeezed her hand once more. “Ahh… George was assessing me and my skills.”
“Your skills?”
“Aye. My ability to retain and recall detailed conversations.” He shifted and hauled her to sit across his lap before he continued, “George was wise to the fact that as a third son, no one took note if I was or wasn’t present. Your husband pointed out that men in general tended to underestimate women and minors. And like you, I longed for adventure and challenges. My friendship with George was a miracle. Without his aid, I’d not have survived Eton nor Cambridge. Without the added challenge of George’s schemes, my education would have merely consisted of words upon a page. I’d not have learned the nuances of speech, interpreting others’ facial expressions, and much more.”
Henrietta leaned against his shoulder and sighed. “George gave you what he gave me—a purpose to live.”
He hugged her close. “He was more a brother to me than those that shared my blood.”
“Why did you keep it a secret from me?”
“Because I shared the same pain Bertha experienced tonight. An ache so deep in one’s chest that you lash out at those that care for you. I loved you both, but I couldn’t be in the same room as the two of you.” He tilted his head to capture her gaze.
She shuddered. “Bertha hates me.”
He shook his head. “She doesn’t. She’s stronger than me. Even said she hoped to be my friend since we would be in each other company once you forgave her.”
Her back stiffened and she said, “Me, forgiveher? It is I who should seek forgiveness.”
“I don’t believe we will have to worry much about Lady Bertha.” His nimble fingers began working on the row of concealed clasps that had been sewn into the material to hold the seam of her gown together. No surprise he had become rather proficient at divesting her of her gowns.
Easing one arm out of her sleeve, she asked, “Why is that?”
“Mr. Ainsworth couldn’t keep his eyes off her all evening.” He placed a kiss upon her bare shoulder and assisted her to extricate her other arm from her dreaded gown.
Distracted by the warmth of Walter’s breath against her neck, Henrietta struggled to recall the man’s association. “Lord Bertram’s cousin?”
“Aye.” Walter eased the material over her hips and let the gown fall to the floor. “He is a good man. Nothing like his wastrel of an older brother.”
Henrietta fingers played with the buttons on Walter’s waistcoat. If Walter wasn’t concerned, then Bertha was in good hands with Mr. Ainsworth. “What of Miss White?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll see to it Nicholas comes up to snuff.”
She slipped a hand under his waistcoat and circled his nipple with her forefinger. He placed a hand over hers, stilling her movements.
Walter said, “I overheard Archbroke’s orders.”
“Oh.”
He kissed her brow. “Yes, I’m quite pleased you are to be my keeper…” He brought her hand up to rest at the side of his neck and placed his hands solidly on her waist to lift her so she could straddle him. Grinning, Walter added, “I’d feared Landon would undertake the task himself.”
She angled her head to one side. “You are not annoyed?”
“Why would I be? I love you and wish to spend as much time with you as possible. Archbroke is no fool. He created a reason for others to believe. We know the truth and the actual cause for us to be together, and that is all that matters.”
She leaned forward, her lips inches from his. “I love you, too.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Returning to Archbroke’s townhouse with his nephew in tow at a respectable hour, Walter grinned as the knocker fell upon the front door. For three days, he’d spent his days at the office and his nights sneaking into the household through the back entrance.
Nicholas stood behind him. “Do you intend this be a short or a long visit?”
“That all depends upon you. Henrietta is curious as to how your search for a wife is faring.”
The front door swung open, and they were greeted with the ruckus of children’s laughter and Archbroke’s roar mimicking some wild animal. Walter entered and gave the butler his coat, hat, and gloves. He waited for Nicholas to do the same, but his nephew still had not entered.
“Perhaps I should return later.”
