“No. I do not expect to see it until later today or tomorrow.” Dorie sank on to the sofa. “It is nice and warm in here.”
“It is. I was in the library and it started to become a bit chilly. This room is much easier to keep warm.”
Henrietta moved to the bell-pull to order tea, but the door opened again, and Parkin entered carrying a large tray with tea, biscuits, and sandwiches. “I thought you might wish some sustenance.”
Her friend slid her a look and almost made her laugh. “Thank you, Parkin. I was just going to ask for a tray.”
“Yes, miss. I know.” He set down the tray on a round table with two chairs and unloaded the tray, placing everything precisely before leaving the room.
Once the door closed, Dorie went off into a peel of giggles. “I have never in my life seen such an unusual butler.”
“I adore him.” Henrietta waved her friend to the table. “Although Merton bemoans that he is not stiff and formal like most of the breed.” She poured two cups of tea and handed Dorie one. “His cousin Matt Worthington maintains that Merton was so stuffy it was good for him to have a butler who was not.”
“I always forget they are related. Were their mothers sisters?” Dorie picked up a lemon biscuit and bit into it.
“No. It’s actually a distant connection, although the two branches remained close. In fact, Merton was Matt’s heir until Grace had their little boy.” Henrietta ate a lemon biscuit, but her friend’s brows rose, wanting the rest of the story. “Matt’s several times grandfather was a younger son who married the daughter of an earl. The earl had no male heirs. Matt’s ancestor had to agree to take the Vivers name, and there was something in the letter of patent that allowed his son to take the title.”
“How exciting!” Dorie’s face lit up. “The lady must have been a countess in her own right after her father died. It is much more common among barons for that to happen.”
“I suppose so.” Henrietta shrugged. “That part was never made clear to me. I wonder what it would be like to have one’s own title?”
“We could ask the Duchess of Wharton when she comes to Town,” Dorie said. “I think it is dreadfully unfair that she cannot sit in the Lords. Or at least allow her husband to sit in the Lords, but that ended sometime in the late sixteenth century.”
Henrietta had consumed one of the chicken sandwiches while her friend was talking. “You know a great deal about this sort of thing.”
“My father’s titles include a barony, and if there are no male heirs, it would go to the eldest female. That in itself is different because many times in cases like that someone would choose which daughter would take the title.”
“Almost as if they do not trust that the older daughter might not be able to perform the tasks.”
“It would not be a bad thing if they did that with the gentlemen,” Dorie said, her voice as dry as sand. “Some of the ones who are the heirs have very little sense.”
Well, this had been a pleasant and welcome diversion, but it still did not help with Henrietta’s problem with Fotherby.
“Speaking of peers.” Dorie put down her cup. “I asked Exeter if he knew Lord Fotherby. He did not. However, he will make a point of introducing himself. After which, I shall arrange for him to be presented to you.” She smiled smugly.
“That is a wonderful idea! Thank you.” Now the only thing Henrietta had to do was to make sure that she could find a way for her family not to forbid her to dance with him.
Her friend rose and moved over to a window. “It has stopped raining. Shall we ride in the morning?”
“Yes. Let’s do.” She walked Dorie to the front door. “I wonder how long it will take Exeter to meet”—Henrietta did not dare mention Fotherby’s name out loud—“the gentleman.”
“Not long at all.” Dorie bussed Henrietta’s cheek. “Until later.”
Once Dorie left, Henrietta tried to think of a way to approach her sister and brother-in-law about Fotherby. She could wait until she knew if she truly did like him, but that might be too late. Yet what if her sister forbade the connection? If only she knew what to do. Dotty had been furious when Merton had mentioned Fotherby. Henrietta had never seen her sister react that way before. She stood at one of the windows in her parlor, attempting to think of someone, anyone, who might be able to help.
Lady Worthington, a voice whispered in Henrietta’s mind.
Lady Worthington was the perfect person to assist her. She was the most understanding person Henrietta knew. Grace Worthington had even arranged for Augusta to travel to Europe. And it was not as if Henrietta and Grace were not related. She was a cousin by marriage.
“If she could manage a European trip for her sister, she should be able to help me.” She was also someone Dottie had known all her life and would listen to. Henrietta hoped.
* * *
Hulatt entered Nate’s study and bowed. “The Marquis of Exeter would like to see you, my lord.”
Exeter? Nate had never met the man. When his father and brother had been alive, he remembered his father had mentioned him when speaking with his older brother. Nate, of course, had never been involved in those conversations. He wondered what his lordship wanted. “Show him in.”
“Yes, my lord.” Less than two minutes later, his butler returned. “The Marquis of Exeter.”
Standing, Nate began to wave his guest to a chair in front of his desk, then noticed the man was probably about the same age he was. This couldn’t be the gentleman his father knew. “Please have a seat.”
“Thank you.” The man inclined his head.
Once Exeter had lowered himself into the chair, Nate came around his desk and took the second chair. Was the door knocker even up? “To what do I owe your visit?”
“My wife.” Exeter had a fond look on his face that was obviously not because of Nate. “She is a force of nature.”
“I do not believe I have met her.” He spoke slowly, trying to place the lady.
“I have no doubt about that.” Exeter’s lips twitched and laughter filled his eyes. “You did, however, meet one of her friends.”
Hulatt brought in a tea tray and set it on Nate’s desk. As he poured, he tried to think of any ladies he’d met—Miss Stern? It had to be. Was Lady Exeter merely meddling—he already had two females doing that—or did Miss Stern really wish to meet him? Or was it some other lady who had seen him? Although when another lady could have seen him, he didn’t know. The only places he’d been was at the Park and to and from there. But no. It was a lady he had met, though obviously not properly. Ergo, it had to be Miss Stern.
Exeter took the cup. “I am here to invite you to tea. Tomorrow, if you are available.”
“Tomorrow?” He nodded. “Yes. I am free.” Nate wanted to ask more questions.
He must have opened his mouth, for Exeter shook his head. “I know little more. My wife and her friend saw you riding this morning. She sent her groom to find your house. Once he reported back, she discovered you are the gentleman her friend met.” He finished his cup of tea, rose, and with a graceful gesture, indicated himself. “Hence my visit.”