Henrietta had to blink back tears of joy. “She did write to me, and told me to follow my heart. But Papa?” Her thought was that her father might not have forgiven Nate. But that was not at all like Papa. He firmly believed in redemption, and it was clear to anyone with eyes that Nate had redeemed himself.
“If there is a problem,” Grandmamma said, “I am certain your mother will talk him around.”
Nate had listened to the conversation with interest. It seemed that there was tacit approval for them to marry, but it did not answer his most pressing question. “Your grace, who do I approach about marrying Henrie—Miss Stern? There are also the marriage settlements to consider.”
Grandmamma’s forehead furrowed slightly, then she gave a sharp nod. “Since I promoted the match, I shall take responsibility for approving it. Therefore, my lord, you have permission to marry Henrietta. I will, however, demand Merton’s solicitor draw up the marriage contract. That is the least he can do, considering he abrogated his duty in this instance.”
Nate reached over and squeezed Henrietta’s hand. “Shall I leave my solicitor’s name with you?”
“Yes. I shall send it along with my letter to Merton.” The duchess rose. “Shall we go into dinner? Fotherby, you may escort me.”
He would rather have had Henrietta on his arm, but he was not going to argue with the one person who had said he could wed her. “With pleasure, ma’am.”
The table was square, allowing them to speak easily. He sat on the duchess’s left and his mother was across from him, allowing Henrietta to sit on Nate’s left. Instead of the dishes placed on the table, the butler and a footman handed them around. Nate had forgotten how hungry he was and was determined to do justice to all the dishes. He was happy to see Henrietta did not stint herself. There was white soup, followed by sole in a delicate lemon sauce, and buttered lobster. Capons were served with sautéed mushrooms removed by broccoli in a butter sauce, cabbage pudding, and carrots. After which a salad was served. Dessert consisted of fruit, a selection of cheeses, and pears in red wine sauce. It was accompanied by a very fine champagne.
The duchess held up a glass. “To Henrietta and Fotherby. I wish you happy.”
“I too wish you happy.” Lady Fotherby raised her glass. “I admit I was a bit concerned at the way you went about it, but everything has worked out for the best.”
“Thank you,” Nate and Henrietta said at the same time, then glanced at her at the same time she looked at him, and they both laughed. He leaned close to her and in a low voice said, “We are officially betrothed.”
“I know. I wonder how we will arrange the wedding.” Her smile faded a bit. “I will have to tell my sister.”
“If you like, I will join you when you do.” He had a wry look on his face. “But I doubt my presence would help.”
“It would not help at all.” Henrietta bit her bottom lip, and he was reminded of their kisses earlier.
He wished they could marry quietly, by special license. That, though, was an air castle. “If worse comes to worse, we will have the wedding breakfast at my house. It is not unusual to have it at the bridegroom’s residence.”
“If she does not change her mind, I think I would like to have a small event. Perhaps only our families and our friends.”
He liked how “our friends” sounded. Nate had really never had many friends. He was acquainted with the other gentlemen in the area near his home, but none of them were in the same situation as he. They were either older, with daughters they were trying to marry off, or married with young families, or younger and ripe for trouble. It occurred to him that when he and Henrietta wed, he’d have more in common with some of them. Merton had been Nate’s only real friend.
“You look solemn. Are you thinking about the wedding?” Henrietta appeared concerned.
“Actually, I was not. I was thinking about my neighbors. There are a few with young children.” He looked forward to her meeting the people where he lived. He couldn’t wait to have her with him every day, and in his bed every night. Even now his fingers itched to slide through her silky hair, kiss her, make her his.
She smiled up at him. “I will enjoy meeting them. Our children will have others to play with.”
“Fotherby.” The duchess’s formidable tone interrupted them. “Do you have a desire to sit in solitary splendor with a bottle of port?”
He hadn’t seen her rise and quickly got to his feet. “No, your grace. I am more than happy to join you.”
“Come along, then.” She swept out of the dining room, followed by his mother.
Henrietta tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. “Will you want to have port alone after we marry?”
“I think we can make a new tradition. We can simply spend time together.” He arched a brow. “Unless you would like to join me when I drink port.”
She gave an exaggerated shiver. “I do not like port at all. You may, however, join me in whichever room we decide to occupy after dinner and bring the bottle with you.”
“That sounds like an excellent plan.” He’d had fantasies about having her in his bed and making love to her, but he knew now that he was going to enjoy being married to her, living their lives together. They entered the parlor, and the duchess and his mother were engaged in close conversation. “Do you want to go on a wedding trip?”
“I would like to.” Her voice was a little wishful. She sat on the sofa they’d sat on before dinner. “Perhaps we can visit Paris for a few weeks. Both the Turleys and the Exeters went there after their weddings.”
Nate took his place next to her. Paris was an excellent idea. They could finally be alone. “In that case, they will be able to tell us where to stay and what to see.”
She had a beatific smile on her beautiful countenance. “I cannot believe how easy this was, our becoming betrothed.”
Almost too easy, but he wasn’t going to ruin her mood, or his for that matter. He grinned to himself. Bolingbroke and St. Albans were going to have to find another lady to squire around.
“You look like a cat in the cream.”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “I was thinking of all the things I could not do before that I can now.”
His beloved Henrietta appeared confused. “Such as?”
“Give you flowers. Take you for carriage rides, unless you’d rather have your own sporting carriage.”
She tilted her head, obviously giving it some thought. “Perhaps later. What else?”
“I will be able to take you to the theater, and balls, and other entertainments. Do you realize that we will probably not dance together until we are married?” And make love to her all night and day if they wanted.
“I had not thought of it, but you are right.” She glanced quickly at the older ladies. “Is there not anything else?”
“Minx. Finish what we began this afternoon.” Nate wished he could take her in his arms.
“That sounds like a fine idea.” Henrietta grinned. She was more than willing to continue what they had started. In many ways, marriage to Nate was going to be a new adventure. “Tell me about your home.”
“My main estate is called Ouse Tower. It’s in Bedfordshire, not far from the town of Bedford. It was originally just a tower castle, but over the years it grew. Fortunately, my ancestors did it in a way that didn’t make it a mishmash of styles.”