“I do like it.” He finished his cup, poured another, then ate a sandwich.
“Back to your problem.” She let the sentence hang.
“I believe we are becoming closer. However, I don’t wish to cause Miss Stern problems with her family. I am positive that neither of us wishes to go behind her family’s collective back to see each other.”
“Does Lord Merton know you have met?” she asked thoughtfully.
“He does.” Nate hadn’t thought about his former friend’s reaction to that news. He’d been more concerned about Lady Merton’s feelings toward him. “I told him the duchess introduced us.”
His mother tapped a finger against her cheek. “Did he warn you away from Miss Stern?”
“No.” Nate mentally reviewed the conversation. “No, he did not.” That, in and of itself, was interesting. “After I told him that I would like to know her better, we discussed his wife’s feelings about me.” He’d not thought of what that might mean. There was no overt approval, but Merton said nothing about Nate not seeing her. “He was more concerned about his wife.”
“I must say, that does not surprise me at all,” Mama said. “I understand that she is in a delicate condition and is not able to chaperone her sister.”
No wonder Merton was so concerned about her. If it was Henrietta, Nate would be very worried. An image of her large with his child invaded his thoughts. “Perhaps I should visit Miss Stern’s father.”
Mama’s brows rose. “That might not be a bad idea. Although I believe it is a bit too soon.”
“But if I had his permission—”
“She is still quite close to her sister,” Mama said.
Nate slumped back in the chair. He had to find a way forward that would, if not satisfy everyone, at least be acceptable.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Henrietta paused before knocking on the door to her sister’s parlor as Dotty barked a sharp “no” to someone. “I will not allow him to make excuses for his behavior.”
They must be talking about Lord Fotherby. Had he managed to have a meeting with Merton? Henrietta leaned closer to the door.
“I do not care if he has changed.” Her sister’s tone was harder than she had ever heard it, and considerably louder. Dotty must be much more affected by what had happened than she had let on.
Merton said something in a soft voice that Henrietta could not hear, to which her sister did not respond. Footsteps started toward the door, and she hurriedly knocked. She was not going to be caught like the twins and Madeline, eavesdropping.
“Come,” Dotty called.
Henrietta took one step into the room. “I just wanted to tell you I will be going for my carriage ride with Lord Bolingbroke soon.”
A weak smile that did not match her still-angry eyes appeared on her sister’s face. “Have a good time.”
“I hope to. I will see you later.” Turning, Henrietta strode back down the corridor. She did not think her sister would tell her what Merton said, but he might. Perhaps before dinner this evening she would find him alone. The only thing she knew was that it had to do with Fotherby, and she needed to know what it was.
Lord Bolingbroke arrived as Henrietta was making her way to the hall. It would be easier if she could fall in love with either him or Lord St. Albans. Yet she knew from Dorie’s experience that the heart wanted what the heart wanted, and there was no way to get the stupid thing to change its mind. The only course left to Henrietta was to try to like one of the other two men more than she liked Fotherby.
She smiled at his lordship as he waited for her, and he bowed. “It is a beautiful day today.”
“I must agree.” He took her mantle from Parkin and helped her don the garment. “However, if you feel a chill, I have brought a blanket with me.”
That was well done of him. “How thoughtful. Thank you.”
She placed her fingers on his arm, hoping to feel the strength she experienced with Fotherby. It was hard enough, but there was no feeling of excitement. Yet she had felt it the first time she had touched Lord Fotherby’s arm. Perhaps that type of thing could develop. Then again, that was not a simple ride in the Park. Time would tell.
She smiled up at him. “Shall we depart?”
He returned her smile. “Naturally.”
His carriage was much less colorful than Lord St. Albans’s curricle. Lord Bolingbroke’s was painted a deep brown with gold edging. The seats were covered with lighter brown leather. The matched pair of bays with white stockings was hitched to the carriage.
“Your horses are lovely.” Henrietta wished she had a high-perch phaeton so she could tool herself around.
“Thank you.” He handed her up to the well-padded bench. “They are sweet-goers.” He went around to the other side, climbed in, and clicked to start the horses. “Do you drive?”
“Only at home. I do not have a carriage in Town.” She watched the horses’ action and agreed with his assessment. “Although I suppose my sister would allow me to use hers. The issue has never come up.” Dotty was not using it this Season, and last Season Henrietta frequently rode with Dorie in her high-perch phaeton.
“My oldest sister told me that many ladies enjoy being able to take their own carriages out in the afternoon.” He slid Henrietta a glance, then looked toward his horses again.
“When did she make her come out?” If she was interested in Lord Bolingbroke, it would behoove her to discover more about him and his ideas.
“Several years ago. I was still at Eton.” They had reached the Park and joined the others on the carriage way. “She married a gentleman who is a diplomat. They are currently in Spain.”
“That must be interesting. Are there just the two of you?”
“No.” He grinned. “I have four sisters and three brothers. All the girls are older and married. One of my brothers is still at Eton. My other two brothers are at Oxford and Cambridge. You must be looking forward to your Season.”
“Not as much as I was last year, but I also have charitable work that takes some of my time.” She watched him for a reaction.
“Of course you do.” He gave her an almost indulgent smile. “My mother always has some charity project she is working on.”
That sounded promising. “What types of charities?”
“I’m not sure.” His brows slid together as he seemed to think about it. “But every year she holds events to raise funds for them.”
“Does she spend much time visiting them?” If Henrietta could discover more, his lordship might be a good prospect.
“Heaven forefend.” His eyes had widened, and he appeared appalled. “No lady would go into the areas of the metropolis that would require.”
Fortunately, she was saved from answering by Dorie hailing them. Lord Bolingbroke pulled his curricle up beside them. Georgie sat next to her, and they were accompanied by their husbands and Fotherby. It never ceased to impress Henrietta what a good seat he had. As they all exchanged greetings, she noticed a light bruise on Fotherby’s chin. How had he come by that? She supposed she would have to wait until tomorrow to hear about it.
“There are definitely more people here than there were just yesterday.” Dorie glanced back. “You will have to move along soon. Lady Bellamny is behind you.”