“I am not arguing against them at all,” Lady Fitzwilliam said. “When they are based upon mutual respect as well as passion, they work quite well. It is when there is only lust and nothing else that problems arise.”
Nate quickly swallowed a large portion of wine as she went back to the fish as if she hadn’t said anything out of the ordinary.
“Are you all right, my dear?” Mama asked. “You are not eating much.”
He had to clear his throat before he could answer her question. “I am fine.” But who the devil was that woman? Lady Fitzwilliam’s lips twitched, and for a moment he wondered if he asked the question out loud. “I just don’t seem to have much of an appetite this evening.”
His mother stared at him. “You do look a little peaked. We will understand if you would like to be excused.”
“Yes.” He rose. “I think I will go to my room.” He could order a tray from the kitchen. Nate bowed to his mother and her friend. “Please enjoy the rest of your meal.”
He strode straight to the door and into the corridor, closing the dining room door behind him, and leaning against it.
“Catherine, do you think he suspects?” Lady Fitzwilliam asked.
Suspects what? What the devil is going on?
“My dear Duchess, he’s not stupid, but it would be a great leap for him to connect you with your granddaughter.”
Duchess? Damn! That was who she reminded him of.Both of her granddaughters. He almost went back into the dining room, but that would be foolish. Somehow, he’d work out why she was here and what was going on, but it would take some thought. He stepped quietly onto the thick corridor carpet knowing it would muffle his footsteps, and made his way to his chamber. The only reason that immediately came to mind for his mother to invite the Duchess of Bristol to dine with them and for the duchess to assume another name was if his mother had recognized the lady he’d told her about. And she was here to look him over, as it were.
He opened the door to his parlor and was greeted by Padraig. “Well, old boy, I think our lives might soon become interesting.” Tail wagging, the Wolfhound leaned against Nate as he tugged the bell-pull. When Styles answered Nate ordered a tray. “We’re going for a ride in the morning even if it’s raining. I need some space. Clearly, I’ve been away from Town too long to enjoy the machinations of the ladies.”
For the first time in four years, he felt as if his life was not completely in his control, and he didn’t like it at all.
* * *
Henrietta jumped out of bed and ran to the window. Light-gray clouds were gathering in the sky, but there should be enough time to have a ride.
Spyer entered the bedchamber from the dressing room carrying Henrietta’s dark-green habit. “You must hurry if you wish to do more than get to the Park and return.”
“So I surmised.” She barely had enough time to gulp her tea and eat the toast before she was dressed and her hair done.
When she reached the hall, one of the footmen held open the door. “Have a good ride, miss.”
“I shall.” She wondered how wet she would be when she arrived home.
Fortunately, Dorie was already mounted. “It looks like rain.”
Henrietta glanced at the sky. “All the more reason to hurry.”
They urged their horses into trots and in a few minutes entered the Park.
“Gallop?” Dorie asked.
“Yes.” Henrietta had fidgets she was unable to get rid of, and she did not even know the cause of them.
They flew down the carriage way, then off though the trees, coming to a halt near the Serpentine. She leaned down and patted Lilly’s neck. “That was fun.”
“It was,” Dorie agreed, turning her horse. “We should probably head back. Our stable master sent word with my groom that he thought it would be raining within the hour.”
“That is what I thought as well. I hope this is not going to be a wet year.” Only three years before, they did not even have a summer, and that was the least of it. Crops had failed all over England. “How is your son?”
Dorie glanced at Henrietta with her marchioness look on her countenance. “I had a discussion with Nurse, and we have come to a resolution. She will do as I wish unless she believes it threatens David’s health. Then we will discuss the matter.”
“A fair compromise.” Although Henrietta could not for the life of her think of anything her friend would do to harm her own child.
“I agree.” Dorie nodded. “Other than feeding him when he is hungry, we have agreed on a schedule of sorts. Nurse firmly believes that children need to know what to expect in order to be happy.”
