Ada & The Queen (The Woodhouse Series #3)

Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

*Woodhouse Residence, Belgravia/Savoy Theatre, Westminster*

I wanted to hold him, hug him and kiss him, but Agatha was in the room and I could not risk another outbreak of a war.

I turned to her and she was leaning on the wall by the door and I mouthed a "please" to her.

"I'll be outside..." She replied, the door remaining slightly open as I felt grateful she was on my side.

I turned to Louis and came to him, hugging him. His arms were the comfort and security that I would always need as I leaned my head on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. His head leaned on my own from above - I loved it.

"Adelaide...I am so sorry I did not come sooner. I hated how we left things..." He said as we pulled away and I smiled at him, my hands on his chest.

"And I am sorry for getting upset at you. You only have my best interests at heart..."

Louis smiled, taking my hand as he led me to the settee. "Truth be told...I was probably more scared of losing you. I do not want to know or imagine a life without you but I also know no matter how many palpitations you give me through your daring escapades..." He teased and I grinned. "It was your tenacity and bravery that made me fall in love with you. I cannot and will not ask you to change and I never expect you to..."

"Louis..." I blushed, looking away as his hand came to my face.

"I love you Adelaide...just the way you are and I hope you can forgive me..."

I kissed his lips gently. "There is nothing to forgive. You are right as are my brothers and everyone else. Going after an armed man is never the answer..." I replied and he nodded.

"I am glad we are seeing eye-to-eye on that..." He teased and I laughed.

"I promise... I will not go after any more armed men. Unless I have a weapon...like in Nottingham..."

Louis smiled. "I will buy you a revolver for your birthday..."

"I think my brothers may like you for that..." I leaned towards him and kissed him passionately, aware that Agatha was outside the room, who cleared her throat (probably hearing the silence) and we pulled apart, grinning as he pecked my nose gently.

"I have tickets to the opera...Princess Ida?" He said, removing stray hair from my eyes.

"I have always wanted to watch it!"

"It's tonight...at the Savoy..." He explained. "Christina and my aunt, Josephine will be joining us but they will meet us there. I will have a carriage waiting for you at six."

I glanced at the carriage clock, on the fireplace mantle. "That's two hours away!"

"Well...we better get a move on!" He stood up, pulling me up with him, kissing my hand. "See you tonight..."

He left the room and I followed him, avoiding Agatha's knowing stare as I watched him leave from the stairs.

"Who is home?" I turned to Agatha quickly who was taken aback.

"Lady Porthleven, Miss Moore junior and Ms Moore senior..." She replied as I ran up the stairs, having hiked up my skirts to avoid tripping.

"Florence!" I cried up the stairs, running up to the family rooms where Florence was sitting with Elizabeth going over some fabrics with Charlotte.