“It is always telling when a gentleman asks a lady for assistance,” Dorie commented with a smile.
“It is certainly a good indication of what kind of man he is.” Henrietta thought it said more about him than flowers and poems and polite conversation ever could.
“Did Lord Bolingbroke or Lord St. Albans talk about anything of substance?” Dorie asked.
“No.” Henrietta shook her head. “The only part of the conversations I remember was when I admired their carriages and horses. To be fair, I have spent more time with Fotherby.”
Dorie’s brows rose. “Fotherby?”
Drat. Henrietta knew she would make a slip. “I have recently started thinking of him in that way.”
“Yet not the other two gentlemen,” her friend said archly.
“No.” She felt herself slump and straightened her back. “To be honest, if it was not for my sister, I wouldn’t bother with them at all. Fotherby seems to be everything I want in a husband.”
Dorie gave Henrietta a sympathetic look. “If it makes you feel better, Georgie and I agree it would be a good match.” They turned into Grosvenor Square. “Our husbands like him as well. Apparently, Lord Bolingbroke has no interest in politics, and Lord St. Albans is not yet a peer.”
“One does not have to be a peer to be interested in what can make a difference in people’s lives.” Henrietta could think of a few examples when gentlemen with courtesy titles were involved in politics. “Look at Georgie’s older sister’s husband. He is not yet a peer, but they hold soirées for the purpose of recommending legislation or gathering support for bills.”
“You are correct.” Her friend nodded decisively. “There is no excuse.”
They had reached Merton House. “I shall see you at eleven.”
“We will bring the barouche around to fetch you.” Dorie grinned as she rode off.
Henrietta slid off her horse and rubbed her forehead before handing the reins to a waiting groom. This thing with Fotherby seemed so impossible. It was almost as if she had fallen in love with a merchant.
She stopped.
In love?
This was even worse than she’d thought. Why did it have to be him?
She strolled through the door. “Good morning, Miss Henrietta,” Parkin said cheerfully. “Did you have a good ride?”
She pasted a smile on her face. “I did, Parkin. Thank you.”
A half hour later she entered the breakfast room and was pleased to find Merton there reading a newssheet, alone. “Good morning.”
He raised a brow. “Is it?”
“Yes. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and it’s fairly warm.” Henrietta went to the sideboard. “I take it Dotty is not feeling well.”
“She is not.” He put down the paper. “I thought to have a doctor look in on her, but I’m afraid he would try to bleed her, and I won’t stand for that. I wish I knew why this child is so much more active than Vivi was.”
“What about a midwife?” Henrietta took two baked eggs and a slice of beef.
“They are difficult to find in London.” He pressed his lips together as if he was angry. “The medical profession has made it almost impossible for them to become licensed to practice here.”
She sat at her usual place and poured a cup of tea. “Grace Worthington is expecting a baby about the same time Dotty is due. She might be able to at least advise Dotty. It will be her third.”
Merton stared at Henrietta for several seconds. “That is an excellent idea. Grace is also old enough to remember many of her mother’s pregnancies.” He drained his cup. “I will suggest she do that.”
“Please do not go,” Henrietta said as he started to stand. “I have something I must speak with you about.”
Merton lowered himself back onto the chair, and she poured him a fresh cup of tea. He looked wary, and she decided to confront him directly. “It’s about Lord Fotherby.”
Her brother-in-law dragged a hand down his face. “I wish I could say I am surprised, but I know that your grandmother introduced him to you.”
Merton had spoken with Fotherby. “Did you and he engage in fisticuffs?”
She had meant to ask Fotherby about it, but the issue with his school had pushed it out of her mind. “Yes. At Jackson’s.”
She studied Merton’s face. “You do not have any bruises.”
“I would have, but I know how to treat them. You wish to know what we discussed.” A statement, not a question.
“I do.” She tapped her fingers on the table, and decided to make the question more roundabout. “He doesn’t seem at all like the man with whom you were friends.”
“I agree with you.” Merton sipped his tea for a few moments. “Apparently, your grandmother has the same opinion. I tried to speak with Thea”—the name he always called Dotty—“but she wouldn’t listen. I’ve never seen her so upset about something like this.”
Henrietta took her time spreading marmalade on a piece of toast. “She has seen other people change for the better, and she insisted on marrying you.”
Merton barked a laugh. “And I am very glad she did. I wish I knew what to say to you about Fotherby. She will not listen to anything I say about him.”
“I wonder if the baby is affecting her brain,” Henrietta muttered to herself. “I shall think of another way.”
“I take it you mean to have him, even with what you know?”
She met her brother-in-law’s gaze. Even though it had not been a conscious decision, she had made up her mind. It must have happened when she realized she loved him. He was everything she wanted in a husband. To continue denying her feelings or desires would have her run the risk of sneaking around during the Season and actually having to lie to her sister. That Henrietta would not do. And now that she thought about it, she knew when her feelings for him had begun. “He saved me that day. If he hadn’t caught little Meggie, she would have died from the fall. I could not have lived with that.”
After a long moment he nodded, as if he too had made a decision. “I’ll help you if I am able.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I do not want you and Dotty to be at odds. I will think of something.”
One imperious brow rose. “As long as it’s not a trip to Gretna Green, I’ll support your endeavor.”
“That’s all I can ask. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Grinning, he stood. “I can’t imagine how Thea thinks to keep you and Fotherby apart. You are at least as single-minded as she is.” He patted her hand. “Now, I must be leaving.”
Henrietta ate absently, not even tasting most of what she consumed. Her mother was right to tell her not to give up when she fell in love. Perhaps the first thing she should do was convince her parents Fotherby had changed. For that she would need her grandmother’s help. This evening she would start her campaign. There must be a way to bring Dotty around. To have her accept Fotherby as Henrietta’s husband. What was the quote from Virgil? Love conquers all. It had better. She was not giving up either her sister or Fotherby. But first she must make sure he wanted to marry her. With any luck, that would be the easy part. Once that was decided, she would fight for her sister’s acceptance.