“Because she had been compromised?” Nate asked.
“Because she had agreed to marry me.” Merton took a sip of wine. “That’s excellent. You’ll have to let me know where you buy it.” He took another drink. “She had enough people helping her that if we’d had a long betrothal, another scandal would have come along and ours forgotten, allowing her to jilt me. I was determined that was not going to happen. My mother and I came up with the idea of inviting Thea’s parents to stay with us. Thus enabling her to stay with me as well.”
Nate drank some of the wine. “I still don’t understand.”
“Sir Henry enjoyed seeing how I treated my betrothed and how the servants treated her. He later told me that he was glad he had seen me in my own home. He had been prepared to take her back with them if he had not liked what he saw.”
“I am to be inspected.” Nate wasn’t sure if he liked the idea or not. But he was positive he wanted Henrietta to remain in his—their house.
“You are.” Merton smirked. “And do not expect him to respect your rank. He called me ‘boy’ and ‘son.’”
At that Nate did laugh. His friend had never been treated like that in his life. “Your future father-in-law might be a baronet, but he’s a Radical.”
“That explains a lot about how Henrietta thinks and acts.” It also meant that she fit perfectly into his new life.
“And my wife as well.” Merton tossed off the rest of his wine and stood. “I will get these to my lawyer to be copied.”
Nate rose as well. “Is there any chance your wife will speak with me? I know it is hurting Henrietta that her sister is against our marriage.”
Merton rubbed his forehead. “Unfortunately she has not yet softened toward you. It will take time.”
“Thank you for telling me.” Nate didn’t know what he could do to change her mind if she wouldn’t speak to him. “Let me walk you out. I will go buy the special license while I am thinking about it.”
If he could bring Lady Merton around, that would be the best present he could give his betrothed.
Once Merton had gone Nate called for his carriage. It shouldn’t take that long to get to Doctors’ Commons and back. “Come, Padraig. You can go with me.” The dog rose slowly and wagged his tail as he nuzzled Nate’s hand. “After I’ve finished my business we will walk part of the way back.
Just over two hours later, he had the special license. The coach turned on to Berkeley Street, and Nate knocked on the roof of the coach. “Stop here. Padraig and I will walk the rest of the way.”
“Yes, my lord.”
He opened the door and Padraig bounded out, then waited for Nate. They were almost at Berkeley Square when a young maid, pulling a child in some sort of contraption on wheels and holding another young child’s hand, screamed and fell. Nate hurried toward her when a ball rolled into the street, and the boy dashed after it.
“Master James!” the maid shrieked.
Blast me. A carriage!
Nate ran into the street and grabbed the child.
Master James wiggled to be free and Nate tightened his grip. “Ball. I want my ball.”
“You shall have it soon.” He took the boy to his maid, who had managed to stand. “Are you injured?”
“No, sir. I tripped over something, but I’m fine.” As if just remembering, she bobbed a curtsey. “Thank you for saving Master James. I—I couldn’t have stood it if he’d been hurt.”
“You’re welcome. I was glad to be of help.” Nate glanced across the street and saw the ball. “If you’ll hold on to him, I’ll fetch the ball.”
She took her charge’s hand. “Thank you again.”
Looking for any traffic before he crossed, he saw a carriage carrying a woman who seemed to be staring at him, although, she was pressed back against the squabs, and he couldn’t see her well at all. Shrugging, he got the ball, returned it to the boy, and glanced at the carriage again. It had started moving forward. As it passed, he noticed Merton’s crest.
Lady Merton. It had to be her.
* * *
Henrietta had spent the last several days attending to things that had been put to the side during Nate’s illness. One of those items was a visit to Hatchards, and other shopping, and fittings. As usual, Dorie and Georgie accompanied her.
“I love the new gowns you ordered,” Dorie said. “Especially the emerald-green walking gown. It is the same color as your eyes.”
