Lord Harry's Folly by Catherine Coulter (read this if .txt) 📕

He didn’t let her go, just began to rock her slowly back and forth. “Yes, and fortunately for us, she is pregnant and thus unlikely to venture this time of year into London. Now, as much as I would like to hold you until you’ll undoubtedly want Millie again, let me order your breakfast and finish this letter. Pottson must leave shortly to deliver it.”

“Have I really flirted outrageously with my host?”

“You’ve been fair to tripping on your tongue you want him so much.”

“That sounds quite odd to me. What about the host? You think he’s equally interested?”

“It’s certainly possible, given that he’s washed you and fed you and already kissed you, but not enough to ease him.”

She liked the sound of that as well. “Is there nothing you’ve forgotten?”

“There’s a lot I don’t want myself to think about right now,” he said, rising. “Yes, I’m thinking venal thoughts of you, Hetty, very vivid debauched thoughts, but let me answer you as a gentleman and your doctor. I hope I haven’t forgotten anything. I’ve also just finished writing my daily note to the earl of March on Lord Harry’s progress. He, I assume, will keep his brother-in-law informed.”

Hetty lay back quietly and thoughtfully chewed on her lower lip. “When is Henrietta Rolland going home?”

“In about three days, I expect. Lady Alicia has begged your father, very prettily, I might add, to allow you to extend your visit to a full week. Even then, Hetty, you’ll be damnably weak and there’ll still be pain.”

“I don’t like it at all.”

“I don’t blame you. Now you asked me about Miss Henrietta Rolland. Which one? The one I wanted to kiss and tease all night at the Ranleaghs’ ball or the one at my aunt Melberry’s soiree who called me a spanking fine fellow and was so vulgar I wanted to smack her?”

She laughed, regretted it, and settled for a smile. “I fooled you, I surely did, but not at first. You’re very perceptive and I knew I had to stop taunting you.”

“Yes, you were wise to stop it. Perhaps I would have recognized you eventually. But not immediately. There were so many of your parts strewn around London. You’re an arrogant woman, Henrietta, do you know that?”

“Yes, but Lord Harry gave it to me. He couldn’t afford not to swagger and boast and be ruthless. He taught me a lot. So did Miss Caroline Langley. She’s infatuated with you. I had to listen to her chatter on and on about how wonderful you are. I had to bite my tongue since I was firmly convinced that you were a villain.”

He could only shake his head at her as he moved quickly at the knock on the door. He took the breakfast tray from the servant and quickly closed the door again. “I know the servants are mad to know what this is all about. Pottson tells me that they hound him and Millie both, but they’ve kept mum. Now, porridge for you and some toast with lots of butter and Cook’s special honey.”

She ate a goodly amount. It settled well on her stomach, which relieved both of them. She said, “Do you believe that Sir William Filey could have had the influence to have Damien sent out of the country?”

“I’ve wondered about that. I wouldn’t have thought so, but then again, I don’t know all the influence he wields with the war ministry. We still have a mystery on our hands. Does Lord Harry feel he still has more work to do?”

She frowned into her coffee cup. He misinterpreted her gesture. “Thank God you’re ready to send that imperious young gentleman back to the wilds of northern England or was it Scotland? It was a foolish and dangerous game you played, Hetty. Just thinking about all you did at least all you did that I know about makes my belly cramp. Now, at least, you may again don your skirts and leave me to do the hunting.”

It was the stupidest thing he could have said.

She eyed him with dangerous calm. “Ah, let me understand you, your grace. You mean that it is time for the real gentleman to search out the truth? The lady will return to her proper place, simpering and serving tea?”

He was annoyed and yet, at the same time, rather pleased to see the vinegar back in her. It must mean she was feeling much better. How to get himself out of this hole? His offer wasn’t meant to offend. He was being just as he should be. He said easily, “Naturally you will return where you belong. I said nothing of simpering and serving tea. However, I can’t now see you donning your breaches again and prancing off to White’s or to Lady Buxtell’s, for God’s sake.”

“Prance? Why, I believe you should go directly to the devil.”

“We aren’t even lovers yet and already we’re arguing. What did you say? You want me to do what?”

“Go to the devil,” she said again, stressing each word. She saw a muscle twitch in his jaw. “If I wish to remain Lord Harry and button up my breeches, I won’t ask your permission or anyone else’s. You have absolutely no authority over me, and I shall do exactly as I please.” She frowned at her clasped hands. “Well, perhaps that was a bit too strong. As you said, we’re not lovers yet and here we are arguing. I don’t want to argue with you, but I won’t let you just step in and take over everything. Damien was my brother. I owe it to him to find out the truth and that is what I must try to do.”

“Damnation,” he said, and skimmed his fingers through his hair, making it stand on end, “I don’t want to understand you, but you always seem to force me to. In this instance though I must stand firm. I won’t allow you to ever return as Lord Harry to society. That I can stop,