Page 69 of A Rogue to Forget

“It will be seen as him wishing to start a more respectable life,” Evan countered. “I do not think there will be a problem.”

At Grant’s grunt, they looked to the front door. Tom Roberts walked in with another man.

“Am I to assume his mother is cross with you for hitting him?” Henry asked.

Grant shrugged. “She assures me our relationship has not changed. I will have to see.”

*

It was latewhen Henry arrived home. The house was dark except for a lantern on a table in the foyer. Upstairs, he spotted more lights and assumed Hannah probably was in the sitting room or in their bedroom.

Entering the kitchen, he was surprised to find his wife standing over the stove. She turned to him, startled. “I am making toast and warming up stew. Tea at Lady Wilshire’s was a disappointment.”

“Why?” He neared and kissed her. “She is well-known for her lavish spreads.”

“The theme was foreign delicacies. No matter how garnished, I will not eat a snail.” Hannah shuddered. “Or frog’s legs.”

He walked closer and peered at the simmering pot. “It smells good.”

“You’ve already eaten.” Hannah gave him a menacing look. “I am not sharing.”

While she ate, he told her about the men who congratulated him, liking when she smiled at the news.

“Hannah, feel free to invite any friends that you wish here. I do not want to be exclusive like my parents.”

She smiled. “I do have a few people from Father’s office I would like to have for tea.”

“This is our home, yours as much as mine. You can invite whoever you wish.”

There was a softness in her expression when she looked at him that made Henry feel like a hero.

“Stop looking at me like that or I will ravish you here in the kitchen. Our bedroom is much too far.”

The sound of her laughter filled the room. “I cannot imagine the look on Marta’s face if she were to walk in upon us.”

When her gaze moved from his eyes to focus on his mouth, Henry rounded the table and leaned down to press a kiss to the side of his wife’s neck. “We may have to find out.”