“I remember,” Henrietta mused. “I’m glad you had Adeline to help you.” Henrietta wondered if Adeline would be able to come to Town for the wedding. Henrietta had written to her but had not received an answer.
“We are here to help you,” Dorie said stoutly. “Do you still plan to go to Paris for your wedding trip?”
“We do.” Henrietta glanced at Georgie. “Turley said he would give us a list of places to visit.”
A delighted smile dawned on Georgie’s face. “He has done better than that. He has made arrangements for your stops on the way to Paris, and to stay at the same beautiful hotel we did.”
Henrietta started to clap her hands together and remembered she was holding the reins. “How good of him. I’m sure Fotherby will be as thrilled as I am.”
Georgie screwed up her face. “Actually, I think Fotherby asked him to do it.”
“Even if he did, it was still very nice for your husband to make the plans.” Henrietta was happy that he had made such good friends with her friends’ husbands.
They crossed Park Street and entered the Park, with Georgie taking the lead. “What are your plans for the day?”
“I must decide on the rest of the fabric and furnishings for my apartments. They will be redone while we are gone.”
“If you want any assistance, I am happy to help,” Dorie said. “I had to refurbish practically all of Exeter House.”
“I remember.” Henrietta grinned. “I will certainly call upon you if I have difficulties.”
“Go have a gallop, you two.” Georgie made a shooing motion. I shall meet you by the tree.”
They gave their horses their heads and flew down the carriage way onto the lawn, pulling up their mares beneath the large branches of the tree to which they always rode.
Dorie looked at Henrietta again. “I always found that Alex was extremely helpful in selecting furniture and fabrics.”
She slid a glance at her friend. “Indeed? Perhaps I should ask Nate if he would like to help me.”
And Henrietta had thought she was being so original in her scheme. The only thing to do now was to find a way to evade Lady Fotherby.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Nate pushed back the bed hangings only to see the sun streaming through his window. “Bloody hell-hounds. I missed the ride.”
“Did you say something, my lord?” Styles asked.
“I thought I would wake in time to join Miss Stern this morning.” Nate threw his legs over the bed. At least he’d see her at breakfast, but that wasn’t for another two hours. “Has she returned yet?”
“No, my lord.”
He might catch her if he hurried. “I wish to dress.”
“I’ll call for your horse as well.” Styles disappeared into the dressing room.
From the corner of his eye, Nate thought he saw his valet’s lips twitch. He brushed his teeth and splashed water on his face. By the time he was done dressing, Padraig lifted his head. “You can come with me.”
The Wolfhound stretched and joined him as he made his way to the hall and out the door. As he reached the Park, he saw Dorie Exeter and Henrietta with Georgie Turley on the far side of the carriage way and rode toward them.
“Nate!” Henrietta’s eyes lit up like emeralds.
Reining in next to her, he greeted the other two ladies. “I was afraid I had missed you entirely.”
“I am glad you did not.” She smiled at him. “Although we are not here much longer.”
“I thought as much.” It was enough that he was with her now.
“I understand Sir Henry and Lady Stern arrive tomorrow,” Dorie commented.
“So we’ve been told,” he replied. “After that there are only a few more days until the wedding.” Nate still had not asked anyone to stand up with him. He wanted to ask Merton, but considering his wife’s feelings, that might not be a good idea. Perhaps he would ask Exeter or Turley.
“Henrietta told us that she is redecorating the viscountess’s rooms,” Georgie said.
“Are you?” Nate wondered why he had not known that.
“Yes.” Henrietta nodded as they started moving again. “Your mother suggested it. The work will be accomplished while we are away.” Her friends each gave her the same look, as if they wanted her to do something. “Would you like to help me choose some of the fabrics or furnishings?”
“If you wish.” He didn’t know how much help he could be. He barely noticed his bedchamber. But now that he thought about it, why not make a few changes? “You could help me with my room as well.”
She let out a breath, and her friends had satisfied smiles on their faces. He must be missing something. They were nearing the gate when it finally hit him that if he helped her and had her help him, they might actually be alone. Nate had given up trying to be with her until after the wedding. He was getting hard just thinking about her in his bedchamber. They’d only really kissed once. He’d have to go very slowly. The other question was whether he should try to seduce her before the ceremony. That had not worked out well for John Odell and Emily. On the other hand, Nate had a special license, and a clergyman could be summoned quickly if something were to happen to him within the next few days. He glanced at Henrietta, taking in her firm jaw, slender neck, and bountiful breasts. Knowing she was beneath his roof, he’d been trying not to think about how desirable she was. His body tightened with the need to hold her and make her his.
Their little group reached the gate, and Dorie and Georgie turned left, while he and Henrietta rode straight on.
Her green eyes speared him with a searching look. “You have been quiet. Are you feeling all right?”
“Yes.” God, yes. “I’ve just been thinking about”—this had to be believable—“your parents’ arrival.”
Her deep pink lips rose at the ends. “I do not think you have anything to worry about. Papa will treat you the same way he treats Merton or my older brother.”
“That’s what Merton said.” Nate didn’t think he’d mind that at all. In fact, he was looking forward to it.
But right now he wanted to be alone with Henrietta. They stopped in front of his house, and he hurried around to lift her from her horse. She breathed in sharply when his hands circled her waist. Then her eyes widened when he slowly lowered her feet to the pavement. “Do you think this would be a good time for me to see the samples?”
The pulse at the base of her throat quickened, and he hoped her thoughts were the same as his. “I think it would be an excellent time.”
Holding hands, they strolled into the house and up the staircase. The corridor was quiet. The only movement was from the upstairs maid heading back downstairs. It occurred to him that he had rarely been in the vicountess’s rooms. Nate couldn’t even remember what they looked like. Opening the door, he waved Henrietta through to the parlor.
Drawing out a wicked-looking hat-pin, she removed the small hat from her head. “The fire has been lit. I did not think they would do that until later.”
He hoped the fire in the bedroom had been lit as well. “Why later?”
“I will be selecting the fabrics and colors for the rooms.” She took off the lacy cravat she wore around her neck.