Nate chuckled, as he was meant to. “I believe many young men fall to the excesses of fashion when they are young.” Or not so young.
“I cannot believe you did such a thing.” One of her brows rose as she ended the sentence.
“Much to my chagrin, I spent several years as a Dandy.”
Her gaze was steady as she said, “But you have learned your lesson.”
He had the feeling she meant more than his clothing. Who was this woman? “Indeed I have.” He stepped back. “Would you care for a glass of sherry or wine?”
“A sherry if you will be so kind.” His mother led the lady to the sofa upon which she had been sitting when Lady Fitzwilliam arrived.
He poured a glass and handed it to her before lowering himself into one of the cane-backed chairs across from them. He was being kept in the dark about something, but he wouldn’t embarrass his mother by asking now. That would wait until after their guest had departed. “Do you spend much time in Town, my lady?”
“Oh, not so very much.” She took a sip of wine. “I was here several years ago, but this is the first time I have been back since then. After Napoleon was once more tucked safely away, I decided I would visit the Continent. It had been too many years since my last trip. The damage from the war was, as one would expect, appalling. And in France there were not many of my old friends left. Austria and Germany were more pleasant experiences.” She turned to his mother. “You really must travel more, my dear. I recommend you do it by boat. The roads from Calais to Paris were so horrible I forsook them after that.”
“I remember you mentioning that to me,” his mother said. “Your letters were most vivid.”
The two ladies talked of travel until they were called to dinner. Yet despite the fact that neither of them had paid the least amount of attention to him after Lady Fitzwilliam’s initial greetings, he had the feeling there was something more to this visit, and that was making his shoulders tense.
They dined in the family dining room, where the table had been reduced to seat four. He and his mother sat at either end of the table and Lady Fitzwilliam was between them.
After the first course had been served, she turned her attention to him. “I understand you have not been in Town recently either. What have you been doing to entertain yourself?”
“There was a great deal to keep me busy at my estates.” Nate felt his fingers curl tightly around the stem of his wineglass and loosened them. “I was, unfortunately, not up to the task when my brother died, and he allowed stewards to advise him instead of going around himself. I have come to realize that is not a satisfactory way to run estates and care for one’s dependents.”
“I understand you have decided to look for a wife.” She pierced a piece of fish, but her sharp gaze stayed on him.
“I have. Now that I have things in order, it is time for me to find a helpmate.” He took a drink, willing himself to sip his wine slowly.
“A helpmate.” The lady’s brows shot up, again, reminding him of someone else. “Am I correct in assuming from that remark that you wish to have a partnership with a lady?”
“Yes.” He was absolutely certain about that. “I have discovered the value of a woman’s opinion. Much of the time you ladies, and others of your gender, have different ways of looking at things than we gentlemen have. At first I was surprised, but I should not have been.” He inclined his head toward his mother. “After all, I had an excellent example of the common sense a lady can bring to a matter.” And in the Odells a good example of how a couple working together can accomplish what they want.
Her ladyship swallowed a piece of fish. “Are you seeking a love match?”
Nate felt as if he was taking an examination for which he had not studied and did not know the correct answers. His normally healthy appetite was rapidly deserting him. “I would prefer one.” From the corner of his eye, he caught his mother’s surprised expression. It was not something he’d have wanted before. Yet he’d heard that Merton had benefited greatly from his love match. “I believe there are good arguments to be made for them.”
“I am not arguing against them at all,” Lady Fitzwilliam said. “When they are based upon mutual respect as well as passion, they work quite well. It is when there is only lust and nothing else that problems arise.”
Nate quickly swallowed a large portion of wine as she went back to the fish as if she hadn’t said anything out of the ordinary.
“Are you all right, my dear?” Mama asked. “You are not eating much.”
He had to clear his throat before he could answer her question. “I am fine.” But who the devil was that woman? Lady Fitzwilliam’s lips twitched, and for a moment he wondered if he asked the question out loud. “I just don’t seem to have much of an appetite this evening.”
His mother stared at him. “You do look a little peaked. We will understand if you would like to be excused.”
“Yes.” He rose. “I think I will go to my room.” He could order a tray from the kitchen. Nate bowed to his mother and her friend. “Please enjoy the rest of your meal.”
He strode straight to the door and into the corridor, closing the dining room door behind him, and leaning against it.
“Catherine, do you think he suspects?” Lady Fitzwilliam asked.
Suspects what? What the devil is going on?
“My dear Duchess, he’s not stupid, but it would be a great leap for him to connect you with your granddaughter.”
Duchess? Damn! That was who she reminded him of. Both of her granddaughters. He almost went back into the dining room, but that would be foolish. Somehow, he’d work out why she was here and what was going on, but it would take some thought. He stepped quietly onto the thick corridor carpet knowing it would muffle his footsteps, and made his way to his chamber. The only reason that immediately came to mind for his mother to invite the Duchess of Bristol to dine with them and for the duchess to assume another name was if his mother had recognized the lady he’d told her about. And she was here to look him over, as it were.
He opened the door to his parlor and was greeted by Padraig. “Well, old boy, I think our lives might soon become interesting.” Tail wagging, the Wolfhound leaned against Nate as he tugged the bell-pull. When Styles answered Nate ordered a tray. “We’re going for a ride in the morning even if it’s raining. I need some space. Clearly, I’ve been away from Town too long to enjoy the machinations of the ladies.”
For the first time in four years, he felt as if his life was not completely in his control, and he didn’t like it at all.
* * *
Henrietta jumped out of bed and ran to the window. Light-gray clouds were gathering in the sky, but there should be enough time to have a ride.
Spyer entered the bedchamber from the dressing room carrying Henrietta’s dark-green habit. “You must hurry if you wish to do more than get to the Park and return.”
“So I surmised.” She barely had enough time to gulp her tea and eat the toast before she was dressed and her hair done.
When she reached the hall, one of the footmen held open the door. “Have a good ride, miss.”
“I shall.” She wondered how wet she would be when she arrived home.