Neither had she. “Perhaps I am wrong.”
“Perhaps?”
Drat, she’d done it now. “I’m sure you are correct that he would not be at all disconcerted.” She made a point of glancing at the clock and rose. “I must go. I am meeting Dorie.”
“This conversation is not over,” her sister called after her.
No one knew better than she that it was not over. The only question was how it would end. What would happen when Merton saw Fotherby today?
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Nate blew out a frustrated breath. After several speeches the bill had finally passed, but he’d really not been in doubt about that. Still, if it took that long for a piece of legislation to succeed when almost everyone agreed, he had a hard time seeing how they could pass a bill when there was opposition. After the act passed, there were still a few pieces of business that were discussed before an adjournment was called.
Again he saw Merton pass by, but by the time Nate entered the corridor, his former friend was gone. At this rate he was never going to be able to attempt to clear things up between them, and if he wanted to marry Miss Stern . . .
Marry Miss Stern.
That was exactly what he wished to do. Henrietta Stern was the only woman he’d ever met who made him want to marry. He could envision himself sitting across a breakfast table with her, discussing politics, or the estate, or other matters. He could also see her in his bed. The image was so real he groaned with need. Yet he could not cause a rift between her and her family.
Exeter met Nate and Turley as they reached the doors leading outside.
“It’s almost time for luncheon,” Exeter said. “Would you like to join me?”
“I would. Brooks’s?” Nate might be able to catch Merton there.
“Our meeting at Brooks’s is tomorrow,” Turley replied.
“No, my house,” Exeter said. “My wife will want to hear how the session went.” They reached the pavement.
“I cannot.” Turley shook his head. “I promised Georgie I would review her plans for the nursery when I finished today.”
“Fotherby?” Exeter raised a questioning brow.
“I’d be delighted.” Nate hoped Miss Stern would be present. He knew she spent a great deal of time with her friends.
“Excellent.” Exeter gave a pleased smile.
They strolled past several town coaches before entering St James’s Park, then onto Green Park. Turley left them when they reached Grosvenor Square. They arrived at Exeter House as an empty carriage was being driven away.
“It appears as if my wife just arrived.” Exeter strode through the still-open door.
At first it looked as if someone had come for a visit. Boxes and packages were placed in groups on the floor. Lady Exeter, two girls wreathed in smiles, and Miss Stern were removing their bonnets.
“Alex, you should see what we bought.” The smaller of the young girls hugged him.
“Are you certain I want to?” He took out his quizzer and made a point of surveying the bundles.
The taller girl shook her head. “You are being silly. This is nothing compared to what it will be like when I come out next year.”
Nate was hard put not to laugh when Exeter gave a dramatic shudder.
“Those are his sisters,” Miss Stern’s low, musical voice whispered.
“I thought they must be some sort of relation, but the girls don’t look at all like him.”
“No. They favor their mother.”
“Lady Penelope and Lady Phillida,” Exeter said. “I’d like to present Viscount Fotherby. Fotherby, m’sisters.”
He bowed as they performed graceful curtseys. “It is a pleasure to meet you, ladies.”
Penelope held out her hand, and he took it. “It is very nice to meet you as well, my lord.”
Not to be outdone, Phillida extended her hand as well. He took her fingers in his hand too. “I am delighted to meet you, my lord.”
He glanced up as Exeter was wiping a hand down his face. Nate was happy he wouldn’t have a daughter or sister coming out next Season. For the first time he was relieved that his sisters were all older than he.
Just then a lady dressed neatly, but not in the latest fashion, came down the stairs. “Come along, girls.”
“Oh, Holly, you will never believe all the things we bought!” Lady Phillida exclaimed, losing her veneer of dignity.
“In that case I am looking forward to seeing it all.” The governess shooed the girls up the stairs as a maid and two footmen followed carrying the packages.
Lady Exeter took her husband’s arm. “I am looking forward to hearing how the day went. Was there anything exciting?”
Nate held his arm out to Miss Stern and was pleased when she slipped her small hand in the crook of his arm. “I’m positive you had more excitement shopping than we did in the Lords.”
“I understand the only important order of business was to vote on a treaty.” She nodded.
“Yes.” He took a breath. “I saw Merton before the session, but he didn’t see me. By the time I was out of the room, he was gone.”
“Mrs. Perriman sent word about you assisting with the latest rescue.” Miss Stern grimaced, and he braced himself for bad news. “My sister voiced a desire to meet Mr. Meadows, and mentioned that Meadows sounded familiar.”
It wouldn’t be long before Merton worked out who Nate was. Truth be told, he welcomed it. But Lady Merton was the greater problem. Her wanting to meet him was an unexpected complication. “I see.”
Miss Stern—Henrietta—didn’t say anything, but her expressive eyes indicated that she agreed with him. “I tried to tell her that you might not be in our circle and she called me a snob.”
When Nate barked a laugh, she glared at him. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to laugh. Nothing could be further from the truth. You are not a snob.”
Her nose scrunched up. “No, I am merely hiding you from her.”
“I will make things right with them. I swear to you, I will.” He had spoken with more fervor than he intended.
Henrietta stopped walking and met his gaze. “I know you will.”
She trusted him. And, perhaps, she was interested in him. Nate let out the breath he’d been holding.
They had followed Lord and Lady Exeter into a small dining room where the footmen were laying out two more places and a cold collation had been set out on the table. He was pleased to see her ladyship sit next to her husband. Miss Stern was on Exeter’s other side and Nate took the chair next to hers. The talk soon turned to an act concerning children working long hours in factories that had first been proposed when he was last in London.
“I would have thought, because it was a Tory bill, it would have passed by now.” At least it should have. They were in charge of the government.
Exeter swallowed. “Not yet. We will try again this session.”
“Forgive me.” Miss Stern—Henrietta,—placed her fork on her plate. Her lips were pressed together, reminding him of his mother when she was extremely angry. “But it is almost as if the factory owners want free labor. Very much like the plantation owners do.”
He hadn’t thought of it quite like that. “That’s an interesting point.”