“Not in any way.” Catherine wondered why she had not been more surprised. Before, he had always been concerned about bloodlines, dowries, and the advantages a wife might bring to the marriage. “All he knows is that she is a lady. He simply believes she must work for a living.”
Her friend’s black brows rose. “Well, this ought to be interesting.” The duchess set down her cup, rose, and brought over a decanter of claret from the sideboard. “I believe wine might be more helpful.” She poured two glasses and handed one to Catherine. “If he has changed that dramatically, I would not be surprised if Henrietta might be interested in him as well. Especially because she met him under such circumstances.”
Catherine’s thoughts exactly. “He is currently in the process of acquiring a new wardrobe from Weston. Thankfully, he has enough sense not to appear at his clubs or about Town looking like a country gentleman. He thinks Merton saw him, but did not recognize him.”
“This becomes more and more curious.” The duchess sipped her wine. “For some reason I cannot imagine your son taking his custom to a country tailor, nor going to Weston.”
She did not know if the duchess knew of her son’s fear of dogs but said, “He also has a dog. An Irish Wolfhound.”
As she hoped, her old friend laughed. “I must meet this new Fotherby. Although you understand that if my granddaughter Merton still holds his actions against him, I do not know how we will get them together. If indeed they did meet, and we are not worrying over nothing.” She took another drink of wine. “Although that I can discover. I shall invite Henrietta to visit me.”
Catherine had the urge to drink down the whole glass of wine at once. How had what was to have been an uncomplicated Season to find her son a wife become so fraught? “I cannot think it would be only Lady Merton who might have trouble forgiving him. Lord Merton was furious.”
“Yes, as well as Lord Worthington and Dorothea’s father and mother. If this situation is as we think it, I will have to involve them as well. We do not want them enacting some sort of ridiculous Cheltenham tragedy. Although I do believe that Henrietta is much too practical for that.”
“It could very well be that once she discovers what Fotherby did, Miss Stern will not want to have anything to do with him.”
“I would expect nothing else from her, but if he is the man you think he is, he will bring her around. Then the problem becomes her family.”
“This is not going to be easy.” Catherine took a large drink of wine.
“No, it will not. But none of the best results are.” The duchess saluted her with the wineglass. “This is what grandmothers and mothers are for. Is it not?”
Catherine held up her glass. “I sincerely hope that is the case.”
“Come now, we trusted you to bring about change, and you have succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations. There must be a reward.”
“But your granddaughter and my son?” Catherine blew out a frustrated breath. “Could he have not chosen someone else?”
“He might have.” The duchess raised an imperious brow. “But if it is indeed Henrietta, he could not have chosen better. She could have any gentleman she wants. I would venture to say with her maturity, her connections, and her dowry, she is the most eligible lady in London.”
“And she would be the most eligible bride.” Catherine nodded. In for a penny, in for a pound. “What is our first plan?”
“You shall invite me to dine with you, but not, I think, as the Duchess of Bristol. I shall be”—a sly twinkle entered the duchess’s eyes—“I shall be Lady Fitzwilliam. It was a lesser title of my husband’s. We do not want him associating me with Merton.”
Catherine was certain Fotherby had discovered Lady Merton’s grandmother was a duchess, after the fact, naturally. “Excellent. It must be soon. Before he has suitable clothing in which to go about Town. Shall we say tomorrow evening?”
The duchess inclined her head. “I shall arrive at eight.”
CHAPTERSIX
The next morning Nate found a note on his desk from his secretary and entered Chetwin’s office. “What have you discovered?”
“Well, there seem to be an abundance of charities for different purposes, but only three of them let it be known that they will rescue children for payment.” He pushed a cut sheet of foolscap cross the desk. “Here are the names and addresses.”
The Ladies Society for the Benefit of Orphans and
Other Unfortunates, 2 Old Compton Street
The London Society to Promote the Well Being of
Children and Mothers, 17 Stacy Street
The Phoenix Society for the Aid of Children,
Families, and Widows, 12 Phoenix Street
“All of them are located near Covent Garden,” Chetwin added.
