Yr. devoted friend,
D.
“Oh, God.” Henrietta covered her eyes and groaned. “It needed only this. Why is it that the only gentleman who has interested me at all abducted my sister?”
She closed the book. Even Ovid would not be able to distract her now. She supposed she should forget about Lord Fotherby. After all, they had not even been properly introduced. She munched on a ginger cookie, swallowed, and took a sip of tea. He must have been a truly horrid person. But the gentleman she had met was in no way objectionable. On the contrary, he had been extremely helpful and polite. And he had not judged her actions. What was it Merton had said?
It was Thea’s idea to allow his mother to deal with him, and Lady Fotherby decreed he was to be banished to the country until he learned his lesson and gained sufficient maturity to be let loose again.
Therefore, if Lord Fotherby—even if it was the wrong name, it was nice to have a name for him—was in Town, presumably his mother had decided he had changed sufficiently. That would explain his clothing and the dog, and the way he’d behaved toward her. Merton had also mentioned that his cousin had not liked him at the time he’d met her sister. Had Merton changed? If so, perhaps he would acknowledge that Lord Fotherby had changed as well. Still, if she was not to have anything to do with him, how would she find out? She reviewed the conversation again. No one had actually said she could not dance with him. Of course, no one knew he was in Town. Perhaps this might be one of those cases where it was easier to get forgiveness than permission. If, that was, she could find someone to introduce them. She glanced at Dorie’s letter again. A meeting might already be planned.
* * *
Nate finished dressing and went to the breakfast room, Padraig at his heel. He was surprised to find his mother already there. “Good morning. You are up early.”
“Good morning, dear. I have a great deal to do today.” She folded the newssheet she’d been reading and placed it on the table by her elbow. “Are you feeling better today?”
“Yes.” He should ask her about the duchess, but first he needed food and tea.
“The bacon is particularly good this morning.” Mama cut a piece of the bacon. “I think Cook must have found a new supplier.”
Stepping over to the sideboard, he lifted the lid on the first tray and found poached eggs. He took two, then found the bacon, added some ham, and went back to the table. A fresh rack of toast had just been brought in, and his mother handed him a cup of tea.
“What are your plans for today?” she asked.
“I was going to visit one or two of my clubs, but I went riding this morning and my boots are soaked. The pair I ordered from Hoby have not yet arrived, and I don’t want to ruin my shoes, so I’m staying home.” He cut an egg and dipped a piece of toast in it. “Do you have plans for the day?”
“I have an appointment with my modiste.” She sipped her tea. “When do you expect to receive more footwear?”
“Soon. If nothing has arrived by this afternoon, I’ll have Styles look into it.” He finished the toast and took another. “Mama, what was the Duchess of Bristol doing here last evening, and why did the two of you attempt to mislead me as to her identity?”
His mother had just taken another sip of tea and quickly held a serviette to her lips. “I would not say that we misled you.”
If not misleading, Nate would like to know what she called it. He raised a brow. “Indeed?”
“Quite.” His mother matched his look with a completely unrepentant one of her own. “We lied to you quite purposefully.”
This time Nate almost spewed the tea from this mouth. “Good Lord, why?”
“Well, you see, she was the one who approached me after you had the poor sense to abduct her granddaughter. I surmised from your description of the lady you met that it was Henrietta Stern.” Now he had a name. Henrietta was a strong name, and it suited her. “I decided if you were to have any sort of opportunity to be introduced to the young lady, it might be helpful to approach her grandmother. Fortunately, we have been friends for many years, and in my letters to her I mentioned your progress.”
He’d had no idea his mother could be so devious. “In effect, you came up with the lie together?”
“Not precisely.” She picked up her cup again. “The duchess wished to meet you. And she decided to use one of her late husband’s minor titles.”
“So that I would not know who she was.” No wonder he’d felt as if his life was out of his control. A duchess, of all people, was meddling in it.
“Yes.” His mother took a sip of tea and set it down, then proceeded to twist the cup around on the saucer. “If it makes any difference, she formed an excellent opinion of you.”
Nate pinched the bridge of his nose. He had spent the last four years learning to stand on his own two feet. To direct the course his life would take. And even though his mother and the duchess obviously had his best interests at heart, he did not want to be handled, and he had the feeling they were more than capable of doing just that. Then again, he did not wish to be perverse. He might—hell, he would—require their help even to gain an introduction to Henrietta Stern. And that was assuming she would have anything to do with him. Although, from the way she had acted after he had assisted her, he was certain there was something—an attraction—between them. Yet, he didn’t for a moment doubt that when Merton or her sister discovered he was in Town, they would warn her against him. It amazed him that the Duchess of Bristol had considered meeting him at all. And that must have been the reason for the subterfuge. If she had found him lacking, he would have been none the wiser.
“Fotherby, do you have nothing to say?” His mother sounded concerned.
“I am not quite sure what to say.” He wished he’d not so thoroughly complicated his life. The desire to return home was stronger than ever. Then again, so was his desire to properly meet Miss Stern. “We only met once and the meeting did not last long.” Although, he would like to get to know her better. Nay, he was determined to know her better.
“You could forget about Miss Stern and look for another lady.” His mother’s nose wrinkled. “I am sure I could find you a lady with some of the characteristics you want.”
He could not imagine any other lady with her bravery. “I could return to Ouse Tower.” But did he truly wish to run home? Because that would be exactly what he would be doing. Running away from anyone who knew of his wrongdoing, and from a lady he might want to wed. “I simply wish the situation was not so problematical.”
“You have at least one thing in common.” He raised a brow. How could she possibly know he and Miss Stern had anything in common? “You both put yourselves forward to help others.”
Mama was right about that. “I suppose we do.”
She placed her serviette next to her plate and rose, prompting him to stand. “Give it some thought. You do not have to do anything today.”
“I shall. Thank you for your assistance.”
“I am always glad to help you.” A wrinkle creased her still-smooth forehead. “If you are able, I would like you to escort me to Lady Thornhill’s drawing room in two days’ time.”