“It is.” Her knowledge surprised him. “You must know your horses.”
Miss Stern’s laugh sounded like the tinkling of chimes. “My brother knows his horses. The youngest son of one of our neighbors was in the cavalry. When he came home in between assignments, he brought his favorite horse with him. My brother could talk of nothing else for at least a week.”
They rode through the gate into the Park. “I suppose he wanted one of his own?”
“He did indeed.” She smiled and shook her head. “My father said he would have to give up his horse if he wanted another one. That was something my brother was not prepared to do.”
“Not even for such a magnificent animal?”
“No.” The twinkle Nate look forward to seeing entered her lovely green eyes. “No one could take Perseus’s place.”
“I’m glad I didn’t have to make that decision.” He thought of his first horse. “I didn’t truly have a choice. I’d had Midnight since I was ten or eleven. He let me know most forcefully that he was ready to retire.”
Her smile widened. “How so?”
“He would stop in the middle of a road, or field, or anywhere else that was inconvenient, and refuse to go farther until he’d had a rest.” He grinned at her. “It got to the point that it took two days to visit my tenants. Finally my head groom told me about a breeder in Ireland who had a Trakehner for sale and convinced me to go take a look.”
Miss Stern gazed at her horse’s neck. “I hope that when Lilly is ready to go to pasture I will know it without being told.”
“You probably will.” There wasn’t much he imagined Miss Stern had to be told. In the distance Lady Exeter was galloping, and Lady Turley followed behind in her carriage. “Would you like to gallop?”
“I would.” The smile Miss Stern had on her face was luminous. For a moment he couldn’t breathe. My God, she was beautiful. “That is the most important reason to ride so early in the day.” She glanced around and must have seen her friends. “I am glad Georgie decided to come with us.”
And kind. “I imagine not being able to ride is one of the hard parts about being in a delicate condition.”
“Yes.” Her tone was different and her expression dimmed.
He hoped it was because she too wanted a husband and children. “Let’s go.”
They urged their horses into a gallop and rode next to each other until they reached a tree where the other ladies were talking.
“I have decided to have a dinner followed by an informal dance in two weeks,” Lady Turley announced. “That will give me sufficient time to discover who is in Town and send out the cards.” She glanced at him. “You will be invited.”
“I’m honored.” He bowed, and they all started to laugh. Nate hadn’t had so much fun in ages. He not only found himself being drawn to Miss Stern more and more, he liked her friends as well.
“And I shall have an al fresco luncheon next week,” Lady Exeter said. “You are also invited my lord.”
“Excellent.” Nate bowed again. “I am sure to have a grand time.”
“Henrietta, do you want to race?” Lady Exeter asked.
Miss Stern glanced at him.
“No, please go ahead. I shall keep Lady Turley company.”
She smiled that brilliant smile again. “On the count of three. One. Two. Three.”
Just like that, the ladies were off, cantering down the path.
“I wish I could. . . .” Lady Turley blew out a breath.
“Do you miss riding?” From what Miss Stern had said, her friend probably did, but it gave them some sort of conversation.
“I do.” A frown formed on her ladyship’s countenance. “I love that I will have a child, but I do miss riding.”
“It’s not forever,” Nate ventured.
“No, it is not. My husband frequently reminds me of that.” When she mentioned her husband her frown dissolved. “He was the one who suggested I drive the phaeton this morning.”
“An intelligent man.” And one who cared about his wife a great deal.
“He is.” She started the carriage forward. “Thus far we have all been fortunate in our marriages.” Lady Turley glanced speculatively at him. “We hope Henrietta will find the right gentleman this Season.”
That was his hope as well, but he wanted the man to be him. “As do I.”
Nate arrived home in time to change and make his way to Exeter House, where he broke his fast, then accompanied Exeter and Turley to the Lords. Even when Nate had been in Town before, he’d only gone for votes, and voted as he’d been told to. That was something he planned to change. It was past time he stepped forward and became involved in drafting bills and making speeches to urge their passing.
The entrance to Westminster brought back faint memories. The only thing he actually remembered was that peers sat by rank. They met with some other gentlemen to whom Exeter introduced Nate. After the introductions, they stood talking as the members entered the chambers.
“I’m going in now,” Exeter said. “You’ll be fine with Turley.”
“Thank you. It is a little strange being here again.” Just then Nate saw Merton pass by with three gentlemen. Two of them Nate didn’t know. The third was the Earl of Worthington. This wasn’t happening as Nate thought it would. For some reason he had imagined fewer people, and Merton looking at him as he had from his carriage. Instead Nate was simply part of the crowd of peers taking their seats, indistinguishable from the other gentlemen.
“Are you ready?” Turley asked.
“Yes. Lead the way.” At this point Nate didn’t know if Merton would see him at all. Unless he made an effort to be seen. If Nate wanted to try to attach Miss Stern’s affection, he had to resolve his relations with her sister and brother-in-law.
He started in to the side on which he’d taken his seat before, and Turley took Nate’s elbow. “This way.”
“Ah, yes.” He was no longer a Tory. He took a seat on the padded bench next to Turley. It was a good day for him to begin attending the Lords again. The only item on the agenda was the approval of the Convention of 1818, a treaty between England and the United States that established the forty-ninth parallel as the northern boundary between British North America and England’s former colonies.
“Good morning,” Lord Bolingbroke said as he passed them.
“Good morning.” Nate saw the man take his place among the earls. “I don’t see St. Albans.”
“You won’t,” Turley responded. “He’s the Duke of Cleveland’s eldest.”
Nate nodded. “I think my father knew Cleveland.”
“He most likely did.” Turley shrugged. “They were both Tories.”
“They were.” Nate’s father would have had apoplexy seeing him here. But he was convinced it had been the right move, along with all the other changes he’d made. He didn’t know how long they’d be here, but he had to get Merton’s attention before he left. One way or the other, this situation had to be resolved.
* * *
Once Georgie made the turn toward Green Street, where Turley House was located, Dorie rode closer to Henrietta. “I hope you did not mind that both Georgie and I promised to invite Lord Fotherby to our entertainments.”