Chapter 742

"To your liking? Have you been scheming to get me into your bed all this time?" Isabella teased Henry with a playful smirk. His dark eyes traced the rosy flush spreading across her cheeks before responding with a wolfish grin. "You're my wife. This is simply part of our marital agreement." The statement left her momentarily speechless.

Henry had banished Eleanor from their lives—a gesture that struck Isabella deeply. She recognized him as a man who prized loyalty above all. By cutting ties with his first love, he was extending an olive branch, retreating step by step to rebuild their fractured relationship.

Perhaps it was time she met him halfway.

Marriages required effort from both sides. They weren't getting any younger, and she refused to waste more precious time.

Henry leaned in, brushing his lips against her cheek.

Isabella shoved him back. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" His voice dropped to a husky whisper. "Round two."

She exhaled sharply. "Be reasonable. You need to pace yourself."

In one swift motion, Henry flipped her beneath him. "Now."

Their playful tussle was interrupted by three sharp raps at the door, followed by their maid's hesitant voice. "Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster...?"

Isabella immediately shoved Henry off. "She's calling for us!"

Annoyance flashed across Henry's face as he barked, "What?"

"You have a visitor, sir."

"Tell them I'm unavailable. Schedule an appointment." Dismissing the interruption, he recaptured Isabella's lips.

She retaliated by biting his lower lip—hard.

Henry jerked back, eyes darkening dangerously. "Playing rough, are we? You'll pay for that."

"Stop—ah!"

The maid's voice grew more urgent. "Mr. Lancaster, it's Mr. Hawk! He insists on seeing you immediately!"

Nathaniel was here?

Isabella pushed against Henry's chest. "Nathaniel's at the door!"

Right on cue, Nathaniel's voice boomed through the wood. "Where is he? I need to speak with Lancaster now! Is he in there? I'm coming in!"

Scuffling sounds indicated the maid physically blocking him. "Sir, you can't just—"

Panic shot through Isabella. If Nathaniel walked in on them like this, she'd never live it down. "Get up!" she hissed.

Grumbling, Henry rolled off the bed but suddenly winced, clutching his lower back.

"What's wrong?" Isabella asked, alarmed.

"Pulled something," he ground out through clenched teeth.

A giggle escaped her before she could stop it.

Henry's glare could've melted steel. "Something funny?"

"I warned you not to overexert yourself. You're not twenty anymore."

"Is that a challenge? I'll show you—"

Nathaniel's fist pounded against the door. "Lancaster! I know you're in there! This can't wait!"

With great reluctance, Henry dressed and yanked the door open to reveal a sharply dressed Nathaniel, who blinked in surprise at finding them together.

"Am I... interrupting something?"

Isabella shook her head too quickly. "No! We were just—"

"—discussing household matters," Henry cut in, shooting Nathaniel a withering look. "Young people these days have no sense of boundaries."

Isabella's cheeks burned as she looked away.

Nathaniel stood frozen, clearly unsure how to respond to the awkward situation.