“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.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-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.
