Chapter 8
Henry met my gaze for a moment before leaning in and placing his lips on mine. His hot lips scorched on mine gently before they grew rougher. It didn’t take long to become familiar with what I once knew so well. Henry snaked his hands onto my waist and I found my way to his hair. I tried to hold back a sigh as he nipped on my lower lip, quickly soothing the soft bite with his tongue.
His hand somehow slipped its way into the pinned mass of hair on my head and pulled back roughly, exposing my neck to him. He planted hot, open-mouthed kisses on my neck before placing a soft bite on my pulse-point.
A loud knock on the door suddenly drew us apart. I scrambled from his lap hastily and looked at Henry in panic. It took a moment for the lust-filled haze to vanish from his eyes, but a more urgent knock brought the issue back to attention.
“Stay here. Don’t make a sound.” He whispered, guiding me to his bedroom and closing the door that connected it to the sitting room. I trailed over to the large four-poster bed in the corner of the room and plopped down onto it. There was a small mirror placed over a sparkling white washbasin, most likely used for Henry’s shaving. Currently, however, it was reflecting my horrifying appearance. My elaborated coiffure was about to tumble apart, my lips were flushed and swollen, and there was red circle at the base of my neck where Henry had bitten me.
Muffled voices from the other room drew my attention. One of the voices was high, nasally, and startlingly familiar. It was Penelope. Shamelessly, I scurried over to the door and placed my ear next to it gingerly, trying to catch as much of their conversation.
“What is the matter with you, Henry?” She said, sounding rather annoyed. Her voice, usually annoying but pleasant, had taken a malicious tinge.
“Penelope, I think you’re overthinking our relationship.” I heard Henry say seriously. There was an exasperated sigh before Penelope replied.
“You’ve never given me any reason not to pursue a romantic relationship between us.” She said stubbornly. I had to resist the urge to stomp out there and point out the large love bite on my neck. But this was Henry’s responsibility, and this was his chance to rebuild our trust. So I held my breath and waited for his reply.
“Perhaps not, but I’ve never encouraged you, either. I see you as the younger sister that I never had. Please accept that, Penelope.” He replied, his voice smooth as honey but authoritative. I placed a smothering hand over my face and tried not to gloat.
Alright, maybe I’ve been a little jealous of her.
“Fine.” She replied begrudgingly. A surge of pride coursed through me for Henry.
“Now, please tell your father that I’d be happy to have some drinks with him before dinner.” Henry instructed, swiftly ushering Penelope out of the cabin. His footsteps retreated towards the bedroom. Not wanting to be caught eavesdropping, I ran to Henry’s bed and jumped on it as the door swung open.
“Sorry about that.” He said apologetically, coming to sit beside me on the bed.
“It’s alright.” I murmured softly, waving him away. There was an off-beat of silence before Henry took up the conversation once more.
“So, where did we leave off...?” He mused mischievously, grinning as I looked at him scornfully. When I stayed at his estate, the most we ever did was kiss. And it seemed like the current situation was complicated enough as it was without getting myself compromised.
“Actually, I’ve got a better question.”
“Oh?” Henry leaned in, interested.
“Who was at the door?” The question was innocent enough, but enough to distract him.
“It was Penelope, and that’s all I’m going to say. I don’t want to waste time talking about her.” I felt a loose pin on my head come loose. Before the lock of hair could tumble down, I grabbed at my hair and tried to pin it back.
“Your hair is a mess!” He chuckled, pointing at my precarious coiffure. I grumbled at him and stood in front of the mirror, trying to readjust the pins holding my hair together.
“No thanks to you. You’re already being a nuisance.” I accused at his reflection, avoiding Henry’s gaze when grinned at me lazily.
“Don’t be coy; you wanted to be with me the moment you saw me on this ship.” He assured, sitting up on the bed.
“I didn’t!” I countered quickly.
“And you were dying to kiss me.” He continued pompously, grinning from ear to ear. I rolled my eyes at his overconfidence, fighting the urge to grin despite myself.
“Actually, when I first saw you, I wanted to push you off the boarding ramp.” I said decidedly, recalling the dread and panic I felt when I spotted him. Henry placed hand over his wounded heart and strode over to me, holding my gaze evenly.
“Liar.”
Suddenly he spread his arms out around me and threw me over his shoulder. “Put me down!” I shrieked helplessly, kicking my legs frantically. Henry chortled at my struggle and gripped the back of my legs firmly.
“Not until you admit how bad you want me!” He hedged stubbornly, swinging me in circles. Easy giggles slipped past my mouth and the bedroom spun around me. “Stop being so stubborn and admit it!”
I ignored him. “Actually, I think I’m going to be sick.” I faked.
Henry instantly stopped and threw me down onto the soft bed as if I was on fire, staring at me fearfully. Henry leaped back as I pretended to leap forward to vomit.
“You’re a good liar, I’ll give you that.” He grumbled, crossing his arms and leaning against the bed as I laughed at him loudly. Suddenly the huge lungful of air I was consuming wasn't enough, and I started feeling light-headed. Henry stepped forward in concern when he noted my ashen face.
“Are you alright?”
“My corset strings, I need them loosened.” I said slowly, feeling like a fish out of the water. In a flash Henry turned me over on the bed and sat over me, effectively undoing my dress. He started yanking the strings of the restrictive garment impatiently, nearly ripping it apart. The corset gradually expanded, easing the choking sensation. I took a deep breath of relief and let Henry turn me over on my back, settling back against the pillows. He handed me a cool glass of water and observed me carefully.
“Thanks.” I said sheepishly, taking a sip of the refreshing water.
“So much for laughing till you’re blue in the face.” He retorted softly, shaking his head in amusement.
“Sorry about tricking you.” I muttered begrudgingly, glancing at him over my cup.
“It’s alright. It seems fate made it up to me by letting me rip your clothes off.” Henry winked, chuckling in satisfaction when I scowled.
“You’re a savage.” I commented.
“I’m incorrigible.” He amended, playing with my unoccupied hand.
“That too.” I agreed hastily, grinning as Henry gave me a scolding look. He pulled a silver pocket watch from his waistcoat and opened it expertly, grimacing at the time.
“I have to go meet with Royce.” A small scowl emerged on my face before I could stop it. Henry laughed at my expression and kissed my forehead gently.
“Don’t go.”
“It’s for the best. Besides, we shouldn’t attract too much attention. If your family gets even the slightest suspicion about us it could ruin everything.” He reminded me. I nodded slowly and allowed him to stand up reluctantly, watching as he went about the room getting ready. I quickly remembered my loosened corset and stood from the bed, holding my dress up as it threatened to fall.
“Can you help me dress?” Henry finished adjusting his cufflinks and looked up at me
“What for? You look much better without it.”
I lifted my shoulders nonchalantly. “You’re right. I should parade through the deck in my undergarments.” Henry’s face darkened as he saw me lunge for the door. He cut me off by stepping in my path and gripped my shoulders.
“Turn around.” He instructed begrudgingly. I obliged and felt his long fingers readjusting the strings of my corset, tightening
them slightly.
“It’s not tight enough.”
“I’m not going to squeeze the air out of you.” He protested. “I don’t understand why people insist on wearing these things. When we’re together I’m going to burn every single corset I find.” He announced, moving on to do the row buttons on my dress. Today I’d been wearing a light lavender dress with lace trimmings.
“You should have said that from the start. It would’ve won me over much earlier.” I gasped, feigning astonishment. Henry grinned wryly as he finished buttoning up my dress clumsily with large fingers.
“Well, keep it in mind if you ever start having any second thoughts.” He grumbled, playing with a few strands of hair that fell around my face affectionately.
“Will do.”
“Should I call on someone to help style your hair?” After nearly choking, my coiffure was now an unintelligible mess. I would have to take it all down and re-pin it myself.
“No, I’ll manage.” I assured him, placing a soft kiss on his lips as he strolled through the door.
A thought suddenly struck me left. We’d been practically acting like a married couple. A dazzling smile broke out on my face as I brushed out my hair and started re-styling it.