“No more so than I.” He couldn’t believe that he had found the perfect lady for him. Henrietta was everything he wanted in a wife. He just wished her conversation with the sister was over. He didn’t think she would change her mind, but it had to put a pall over what was a happy event. They were at the entrance to Grosvenor Square. “I shall wait here until I see you are safely inside.”
Henrietta laughed. “My knight gallant.”
Nate bowed. “As you see.”
“I will send word after I have spoken with my sister.” She looked so concerned he wanted to take her into his arms. Then again, he always wanted to hold her.
Next to them, his dog whined.
“You are right, Padraig. I need to go home.” She glanced at Nate again. “I look forward to seeing the rings.”
As she rode away, he wished again he could kiss her, or draw her close to him, or make that meeting not be so fraught. He sent up prayers to the deities that it would be good news. Or rather, that her sister didn’t talk Henrietta out of marrying him. Yet that was an unlikely outcome. His betrothed was a strong-minded woman. And she had the support of her grandmother and mother. All would be well. It had to be.
Nate reached his stables, dismounted, handed Darragh’s reins to a groom, and strolled into the stables, where he found his coachman, a man in his middle years with sandy hair who had started as a groom when Nate was a boy. “Good day.”
“Good day, my lord. Is something awry?”
“Not at all. I’m sending my secretary to Ouse Tower on an errand as soon as he can be ready to depart. He’ll come straight back. Will there be any difficulty in returning by tomorrow early evening?”
The coachman rubbed his chin. They had made the same journey not long ago, but he liked to consult with the man. “As long as we don’t run into weather, it will be fine. I’ll take one of the grooms along with me to spare me with the driving.”
“Very well. Be ready in about an hour.”
“Easily done, my lord.”
“I’ll have Cook make a basket for you unless you prefer to stop and eat at an inn along the way. Naturally, I’ll also send the funds if you must spend the night.”
“This time of year, it will be just as well to drive straight through. I don’t doubt the inns will be full with folks coming to London.”
“You have a good point.” Nate hadn’t even thought of that. “I wish you a trouble-free trip.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Nate gained the town house via the garden gate, making sure to lock it behind him, then braved the domain of his cook.
“Goodness, my lord. What brings you down here?” Cook was a tall, broadly built woman whose skill in the kitchen rivaled any French chef de cuisine. Before coming to them, she had worked for an English family in France after the war.
“I’m sending Mr. Chetwin back home to fetch something and I want the journey to be as quick as may be. He’ll leave in about an hour. Can you have a basket prepared by then?”
“Of course, my lord. Nothing easier.”
“Thank you.” Nate gave her a short bow that made two of the kitchen maids giggle, took himself to his bedchamber, and sent for his secretary to attend him.
Once he’d told his secretary what he wanted, Chetwin grinned. “Would I be too precipitous to wish you happy?”
“Not at all. The matter was settled last night.” Nate donned his jacket. “Your good wishes are appreciated.”
His mother was already in the breakfast room buried in a newssheet when Nate arrived. He’d have to remember to ask Henrietta what her morning habits were. He took his place at the table. “I’ve sent for the wedding rings.”
“I believe we have some in the safe here as well.” Mama lowered the paper. “The duchess and I discussed the matter of your wedding last evening. If Lady Merton will not plan it, we will. I understand that her mother might help as well.”
He hadn’t expected that, but he was glad for it. Henrietta had been a bit concerned. “Thank you.”
His mother picked up the newspaper again, and his butler brought his breakfast. It was amazing how everything seemed to be going on as normally when his whole life was about to change so drastically.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
When Henrietta reached her chamber, Spyer said, “Her ladyship has not been waking until after ten o’clock. After which she breaks her fast and starts on her correspondence.”
“Thank you.” Henrietta glanced at the clock. There was at least another three hours before she could even attempt to see her sister. She would speak with Dotty after she ate and before she started answering letters. At least Henrietta had no reason to rush her meal. In fact, she might have trouble waiting for her sister to finishing eating.
Surprisingly, the time went fairly quickly. Of course she had read every newssheet on the breakfast table. She had even perused the personal advertisements. She had no idea how many people were searching for other people. The clock struck eleven, and she rose from the table, then made her way to Dotty’s chambers.
Pausing before the door, Henrietta wiped her suddenly damp palms down her skirt. She had decided that no matter what her sister said, she would maintain a calm countenance. Unfortunately, no one had told her hands.. Or her stomach, which felt a little sick.
The footman standing beside the door bowed, and she nodded. He knocked on the door and waited. Dotty’s maid opened the door, bobbing a curtsey to Henrietta. “Come in, Miss Henrietta.”
Her sister sat behind her desk, a lovely walnut with a burl top, in the shape of a kidney. Dotty came out from behind it. “Henrietta, I feel as if I have not seen you for days.”
“It does seem that way.” She embraced her sister and bussed her cheek. Goodness, even she could feel the baby moving. “It’s very active.”
Dotty sighed. “I have decided it must be a boy.”
Henrietta took her sister’s hands and led her to a sofa. “I have something about which I wish to speak to you.”
“Well, if it is about either Bolingbroke or St. Albans, I do not think you would be happy with either of those gentlemen. Bolingbroke is very conservative, and St. Albans only wishes to wed in order to receive the property he has been promised.”
That was interesting. She was very glad she had not been smitten by either gentleman. “No. It is not about them.” This was much more difficult than she thought it would be.
Dotty tilted her head in the exact way Henrietta and their mother did when attempting to understand something. “Do you require more gowns?”
“Well, I might, but that is not what I wish to say. I think you should sit.”
Her sister raised one brow. “I am sitting. You are standing.”
She had not even noticed. Instead of sitting, she began pacing. “The thing is, I have found a gentleman I wish to marry.” Henrietta stopped and faced her sister. “Do you remember the gentleman we discussed, a Mr. Meadows?”
“Oh, famous.” Dotty clapped her hands in front of her chest. “You have been introduced to him?”
“I have.” She purposefully spoke slowly. “He has become friends with Lords Turley and Exeter as well.” Perhaps if she told her sister about all Nate’s good points, Dotty would not be too upset. “And you already know that he involves himself in charitable endeavors.”