Just then, Nate’s mother and her grandmother entered the hall, prompting more greetings and introductions.
“Well, then,” Lady Fotherby said. “Mrs. Garford will show you to your rooms, and we will meet in the breakfast room for luncheon.”
When everyone else had gone upstairs Henrietta took Nate’s hand, led him to the morning room, and wrapped her arms around him. “I would like a kiss.”
He dipped his head and drew her closer to him. At first he feathered kisses across her lips, then his mouth claimed hers. Stroking his tongue with hers, she rose on her tiptoes to deepen the kiss as he stroked her breasts, sending flames through her body.
He moved them back toward the daybed, when suddenly Martha said, “I wonder if they are in here.”
“We may as well have a look. They aren’t anywhere else,” Stephen retorted.
Nate dropped his hands and Henrietta stepped over to the large windows overlooking the garden. “Are you ready for luncheon?”
Pushing through the door together, her brother and sister both nodded.
“In that case.” Nate reached for her. “Let’s go to the breakfast room. We are informal today.”
Martha took Henrietta’s hand while Stephen walked with Nate.
“I heard you have a Trakehner,” her brother said.
“I do indeed. His name is Darragh.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Would you like to see him after luncheon?”
“Wouldn’t I just,” Stephen said eagerly. “My older brother wanted one but didn’t want to give up his first horse.”
“Understandable.”
They reached the breakfast room to find the rest of their families were coming down the corridor.
Once they had finished eating Lady Fotherby cleared her throat. “As this is Lent and there will be no betrothal ball, the duchess and I decided a dinner would be in order. It will be small, only family and close friends.” She smiled at Henrietta. “I am pleased to say that everyone has accepted their invitations. It will be here tomorrow evening.”
She exchanged a glance with Nate, who imperceptibly shook his head. Neither Dorie nor Georgie had mentioned it this morning. Was it to have been a surprise?
“That reminds me of something.” Nate stood. “Stephen, I’ll have a groom take you to see Darragh. There is something I must show Henrietta before this goes any farther.”
What in God’s name did that mean? She had already seen everything in the house. Placing her serviette on the table, she rose. “Lead away.”
“Henrietta,” Mama said. “Perhaps after you and Nate have finished you will show me the colors you have selected for your apartments.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll send for you.” She clasped Nate’s hand. “Will I like it?”
“I hope so. It’s too late to have anything else made.”
Nate had had one ring sized for her. It had come back yesterday, but with everything else going on, he’d forgotten about it. They entered his study, and he motioned for her to sit on the sofa in front of the fireplace. “I’ll be just a moment.” Going to his desk, he pulled out a key and opened the second drawer. His valet would put the other rings back in the safe when he was done. The rings had been set in a tray lined with velvet that he took to the low table between the sofa and two chairs. He picked up one. It was set in a plain white gold band with a ruby in the middle and diamonds on either side of it. “This is the ring I thought you would like the best.” He held his breath as he slipped it on her finger. “Well?”
Henrietta briefly looked over the other rings, then back to the one on her hand. “I do like this one the best.”
He took her into his arms. “Thank you.”
Her smile was everything he could have asked for. “Thank you for knowing me so well.”
“Perhaps we should come back later?” Nate looked toward the door to see Merton and his wife standing there. “I do apologize. I told your butler not to announce us.”
“No, it’s fine. I was just showing Henrietta her wedding ring.” He glanced at his betrothed, frozen at his side. “Please come in. I’m sure Hulatt will have tea brought in shortly.” He waved them to the two chairs opposite the sofa. Once they were seated he and Henrietta sat as well. She reached the short distance across the cushion and wound her fingers through his. When the tea tray was brought she poured, and he handed the cups around. He took a sip. “This is an unexpected visit.”
“Yes,” Lady Merton said tightly. She took a drink of tea.
Henrietta’s hand gipped his with a strength he didn’t know she had. “Dotty, why have you come?”
Lady Merton stared directly at her sister. “To ask you to forgive me and to make my peace with your soon-to-be-husband.” She glanced at Nate. “I saw you rescue a child the other day. Dom was right. I would not have recognized you if it had not been for your dog. It was not until then that I knew you had changed.”
He was right. It had been her.
“And to give you some interesting news,” Merton added, as if he would change the subject.
She spoke again. “I was wrong to attempt to make you do something I refused to do. Give up the gentleman you love.” Lady Merton bit her lip and looked at Nate. “I had what I can only call a delayed reaction to the abduction.” He started to apologize, but she waved her hand, cutting him off. “Please allow me to speak. As I have been reminded more than once, I wholeheartedly believe that a person can change, I made the decision to allow you the opportunity.”
“Without being sent to the Antipodes,” Merton commented dryly.”
“I was wrong to dismiss your change out of hand. I must ask your forgiveness for that.”
A lump formed in Nate’s throat, but he had to speak. “I am so very glad you did give me a chance to redeem myself. To discover how gratifying it is to help others without expecting anything in return.” He took a breath. “I hope someday you find it in your heart to forgive me for being such an abject scoundrel.”
The corners of Lady Merton’s lips tipped up. “I already have.” She turned toward Henrietta. “It finally dawned on me that you are a woman with a great deal of sense, and that you could never love a man who was in any way cruel. I hope you can forgive me.”
She almost flew to her sister and, taking Lady Merton’s hands, knelt next to her. “I will always love you. You are my sister. We are Sterns.”
Tears filled her ladyship’s eyes and spilled over. “And Sterns stick together.”
Henrietta nodded. “Like glue.”
He’d never heard that saying before, but he liked it. He glanced at Merton, who mouthed, Their father.
“I don’t know about the rest of you,” Merton drawled. “But I believe this calls for champagne.”
Nate grinned at his old friend. “I agree.” He walked over to the bell-pull and tugged, and the door immediately opened. How the devil had Hulatt made it there so quickly?
“My lord.” He bowed.
“Champagne.”
“At once, my lord. I thought you might wish some.” He clapped his hands, and three footmen entered with champagne, glasses, and small tarts.