“I think so too. Let me introduce you.” She turned to Nate, who directed his attention to the children. “Martha, may I present my betrothed, Lord Fotherby. Nate, my youngest sister, Miss Martha Stern.”
Her sister performed a very creditable curtsey and held out her hand. “It is very nice to meet you, my lord.”
He took her hand and bowed. “It is my great pleasure to meet you. Please call me Nate.”
When her sister smiled and looked up to her, she nodded. “You may call me Martha.”
“Well done,” Henrietta whispered to her sister. “Now we have Mr. Stephen Stern, my youngest brother. Stephen, Lord Fotherby.”
Nate held out his hand and grasped the one Stephen offered. “Very pleased to meet you.”
“I’m glad to meet you too, sir. I understand you live not far from us.”
“About a half a day’s travel,” Nate confirmed.
“Good, good,” Papa said. “We’ll be able to see you and Henrietta more often.”
The only one who was not here was her older brother. “When will Henry arrive?”
“We expect him this afternoon,” her father said. He glanced at Nate. “Henry is a barrister in Bristol. I suspect he will decide to run for the Commons within the next few years.”
Just then, Nate’s mother and her grandmother entered the hall, prompting more greetings and introductions.
“Well, then,” Lady Fotherby said. “Mrs. Garford will show you to your rooms, and we will meet in the breakfast room for luncheon.”
When everyone else had gone upstairs Henrietta took Nate’s hand, led him to the morning room, and wrapped her arms around him. “I would like a kiss.”
He dipped his head and drew her closer to him. At first he feathered kisses across her lips, then his mouth claimed hers. Stroking his tongue with hers, she rose on her tiptoes to deepen the kiss as he stroked her breasts, sending flames through her body.
He moved them back toward the daybed, when suddenly Martha said, “I wonder if they are in here.”
“We may as well have a look. They aren’t anywhere else,” Stephen retorted.
Nate dropped his hands and Henrietta stepped over to the large windows overlooking the garden. “Are you ready for luncheon?”
Pushing through the door together, her brother and sister both nodded.
“In that case.” Nate reached for her. “Let’s go to the breakfast room. We are informal today.”
Martha took Henrietta’s hand while Stephen walked with Nate.
“I heard you have a Trakehner,” her brother said.
“I do indeed. His name is Darragh.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Would you like to see him after luncheon?”
“Wouldn’t I just,” Stephen said eagerly. “My older brother wanted one but didn’t want to give up his first horse.”
“Understandable.”
They reached the breakfast room to find the rest of their families were coming down the corridor.
Once they had finished eating Lady Fotherby cleared her throat. “As this is Lent and there will be no betrothal ball, the duchess and I decided a dinner would be in order. It will be small, only family and close friends.” She smiled at Henrietta. “I am pleased to say that everyone has accepted their invitations. It will be here tomorrow evening.”
She exchanged a glance with Nate, who imperceptibly shook his head. Neither Dorie nor Georgie had mentioned it this morning. Was it to have been a surprise?
“That reminds me of something.” Nate stood. “Stephen, I’ll have a groom take you to see Darragh. There is something I must show Henrietta before this goes any farther.”
What in God’s name did that mean? She had already seen everything in the house. Placing her serviette on the table, she rose. “Lead away.”
