Dorie wiggled around a bit, then settled in. “They are, but you dare not fall asleep. I have heard Lady Jersey is in Town, as well as some of the other patronesses.”
“You need not fear. I will be on my best behavior.” As Henrietta always was when she was in Polite Society. She knew full well that her behavior reflected on her sister Dotty and their younger sister.
“I was not concerned.” Dorie’s lips tipped up. “I would merely have poked you.”
“No doubt.” Henrietta glanced at the sky. “But you must admit this is the most comfortable barouche in which you have ridden.”
“I do.” Dorie glanced at her husband. “Exeter did an amazing job with it.”
He rode closer to the carriage. “I am glad you enjoy it, my love.”
Turley rode up next to Georgie. “Would you like a carriage? I am more than happy to have one made for you.”
“Thank you, perhaps next Season.” Georgie grinned at him. “We must make sure that this one is made use of. And I have my phaeton if I wish to drive.”
“As you wish.” The way he smiled at her almost made Henrietta jealous. But only of their closeness. “Tell me if you change your mind.”
“I shall.”
“You might want one for summer when you are in the country,” Dorie suggested.
“Oh!” Georgie frowned slightly. “I had not thought of that.” She glanced at her husband. “I shall require one after all.”
Turley and Exeter exchanged grins. “I shall have some drawings done for you to review.”
Now Henrietta knew why she was seated in the middle. Apparently, it would not do for her friends to talk to their husbands over her. She settled back and enjoyed the ride. At the rate this was going, she would be able to concentrate on her difficulties and not have to speak with anyone. Perhaps she should sit on the backward-facing seat.
A few minutes later they drove through one of the gates into the Park. They had just reached the carriage way when two gentlemen rode up.
“Who are they?” Henrietta whispered.
Dorie glanced at her husband, but he shrugged.
“Turley, well met,” the taller of the two men said. When he smiled Henrietta could see that his bottom teeth were slightly crooked, but other than that they were in good condition. His blond hair curled under a beaver top hat. His light blue eyes reminded her of the tales of Vikings she had heard when she was a child.
“Bolingbroke, glad to see you made it to Town,” Turley responded. “How have you been?”
“Well. I have been well.” The gentleman raised one brow and stared at him, clearly expecting an introduction.
“Yes, of course.” Turley waved his hand in the general direction of the carriage. “You already know my wife. Lady Exeter, Miss Stern, may I make the Earl of Bolingbroke known to you?”
Dorie regally inclined her head. “My lord, it is nice to meet you.”
Henrietta decided to copy her friend and inclined her head as well. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lord.”
He doffed his hat and bowed. “Ladies, it is my privilege to meet you.”
“And on the other side of the landau is Exeter.” Turley looked at the other man and back at them. “I would also like to present the Earl of St. Albans.”
Unlike his friend, Lord St. Albans had a head of curly, reddish-brown hair and the most interesting amber eyes over an aquiline nose. Both of the gentlemen were tall with broad shoulders, and quite handsome. Henrietta judged them to be in their late twenties.
Once again greetings were exchanged. The coachman had stopped when the gentlemen had ridden up, but, at a signal from Dorie, he started the horses.
“Bolingbroke and St. Albans were at the house party Georgie and I attended last autumn.” Turley’s attention turned back to the men. “Have any of the others arrived in Town yet?”
“Montagu will be in Town soon,” St. Albans said. “I think Barfleur has decided to eschew the Season this year.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea,” Georgie muttered.
The gentlemen had started talking about what was pending in the Lords, giving Henrietta a chance to ask, “Why is that?”
“I will have to tell you later,” her friend whispered as the gentlemen’s conversation died down.
“St. Albans is the Duke of Cleveland’s eldest,” Dorie whispered.
Henrietta was about to ask how Dorie knew, then remembered she had memorized Debrett’s.
“Good afternoon.” Fotherby addressed his greeting to the group, but then caught Henrietta’s gaze with his own.
“Ah, Fotherby, are you acquainted with Bolingbroke and St. Albans?”
“No, I have not had the honor.” Fotherby nodded to the other gentlemen.
Introductions were made in short order, and it appeared that all three gentlemen had decided to ride alongside the carriage.
Georgie nudged Henrietta. “Lords Bolingbroke and St. Albans are very good-looking.”
“They are.” But after having admired both gentlemen Henrietta found she wanted more than mere good looks and wondered if she could have it. Her friends had, and her family had as well. She would have to discover if either of the other two gentlemen were interested in the same things she was. She already knew Lord Fotherby and she thought along the same lines.
“Miss Stern,” St. Albans’s low tone caught her attention. He was riding very close to the coach. And she was very sure only she and Dorie could hear him.
Henrietta glanced up at him. “Yes, my lord.”
“Please say you will allow me to take you for a carriage ride tomorrow afternoon.”
Henrietta ignored her friend’s intent gaze heating her cheek. “I would be delighted.”
He smiled, clearly pleased with himself, and rode apart from the carriage.
Next to her, Georgie worried her bottom lip. “We should have had you sit on the outside.”
“Nonsense,” Henrietta said. “You could not have known the other gentlemen would join us.” She was actually pleased that she was in the middle. It stopped gentlemen from hovering too long. Still, she was happy that Lord St. Albans had asked her to ride with him. She would use the time to get to know him better.
Lord Fotherby gazed at her but made no attempt to engage her in conversation. Then again, they had spoken quite a bit earlier.
Nate had not expected that there would be other gentlemen riding with Exeter’s carriage and engaging Miss Stern in conversation. But he should not have been astonished. She was beautiful and very eligible. He wasn’t quite sure what to do. If he left, he’d clear the field for the other two gentlemen, and St. Albans had a smug expression on his mien. Nate wondered if he should depart. If he stayed, he’d be seen as openly vying for her attention. Not only that, but contrary to his earlier thoughts, there were many more people in the Park than he’d thought there would be, increasing the chance he’d be recognized. Nate would rather be in control of that narrative.
He considered riding closer to the carriage, but his polite conversation was rusty. He used to know how to make small talk, but it had been so long, he wasn’t sure he had the skill any longer.
“I think it’s turned into a fine day,” Bolingbroke remarked. “What think you, Miss Stern?”