Free Montgomery Family 01 - Lost Pleasures Found by Vikki Vaught

know what to expect. I was so excited last night that I barely slept at all, so I’m going to lay here in your arms and take a short nap, if that is all right with you.”
    Henry gazed at her with love glowing in his eyes and said reassuringly, “I’ll be happy to hold you while you sleep. Just rest your pretty head on my shoulder. I’ll wake you when we arrive at the inn.” Melody sighed as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
     
    They traveled until dusk. He saw the coaching inn up ahead, where he planned to stop, so Henry gently woke her up. She looked enchanting as she slowly opened her eyes. She looked around and asked, “Are we there yet?”
    “We’re arriving at the inn now. I’ve made arrangements for us to have a private dining parlor, and we’ll have adjoining bedchambers. We should be quite comfortable. Weston recommended this coaching inn, and he usually knows where the best places are.” When the carriage had stopped, Henry turned and helped Melody out of the carriage. He offered his arm, and they entered the inn. The innkeeper came forward and welcomed them to his inn, and then he led them to the private dining parlor. He assured them that dinner would be served shortly. Henry helped Melody remove her cloak and pulled out her chair; then he took his seat. The innkeeper returned with a serving girl, and they laid out the food on the table and then excused themselves. The food was excellent, but Melody was so nervous that she found it difficult to swallow. After they were through eating, he escorted her to her room. Henry told Melody that he would send up her maid, to help her get ready for bed, and he left her alone.
     
    Melody looked around the room and was pleased to see how clean and inviting everything was. As she walked around the room, she noticed the lovely lace curtains at the window. There was a comfortable-looking bed with a pretty homemade quilt and lots of pillows on it. There was a fire burning in the hearth, and the room felt invitingly warm. There was a knock on the door, and Melody went to see who it was. Since it was her maid, Millie, she let her in.
    “Your husband sent me up to help you get ready for bed, my lady.” She immediately began pulling out Melody’s nightclothes. There was a beautiful, fine, lawn night rail with a matching dressing gown for the night. Melody smiled as she remembered how her mother had worked on it each night, making sure she would have something pretty to wear tonight. Millie helped her remove her traveling dress and then brushed her long hair until it was tangle free and shining. Melody left it loose because she knew that would be how Henry would want it. Finally, she was ready for bed, so she sent Millie away for the night.
    Her nerves were on edge, and she was not sure what she should do. Should she go ahead and get into bed, or should she sit in the chair until Henry joined her? Her heart was beating rapidly, and her breathing was shallow; her hands were trembling because she was so nervous. Soon Henry would be coming through the door, and she was terrified, because she was not sure what would happen. She thought about what her mother had told her and tried to take comfort from her words. Oh, why couldn’t her mother have been more forthcoming! Melody decided she would go ahead and get into bed to wait for Henry. Soon, she heard a knock on the door from Henry’s room. As he opened the door, he came into the room and stopped when he saw her in bed. He had on a long, dark blue, silk dressing gown tied at the waist, and Melody could see that he did not have anything on underneath his robe.
     
    Henry just stood there and gazed over at Melody. How lovely she looked with all her golden hair around her shoulders! It was the first time he had ever seen Melody with her hair down. It fell almost to her waist, and he could just imagine losing himself in all that glorious hair. The scent of lemons filled the air, and Henry knew it was Melody’s