“Yes.” Henrietta hid her smile. “In December.”
“I thought Thea had mentioned it. It’s the off year when I have trouble keeping track of everyone.”
That confused Henrietta until she remembered that every other year Louisa and the Worthington family spent Christmas together, and last year everyone remained at their own homes. Dotty and Merton joined in the rota because the gathering was always at Stanwood House, Grace Worthington’s family home, which was close to Dotty and Henrietta’s family. But Henrietta wondered if they would go there this year; Charlie, Earl of Stanwood, would still be on his Grand Tour. She gave herself a shake. Her close and extended family was growing by the year. Not a month ago, her friend, Adeline Littleton, had given birth to twins, a boy and a girl. Dorie had a baby, and Georgie would have one this year. Of the five of them, only Henrietta and Augusta were not filling their nurseries. But at least Augusta was married.
Henrietta nibbled on a piece of toast. Stupidly, she had not thought it would affect her that her friends were all married, but she was definitely starting to feel left out. Of course, none of them purposely spent less time with her, but they had their own families. Had she been too hasty in rejecting the offers she received last Season? She speared a piece of her baked egg. No, none of them had been the right gentleman. And marrying simply to wed and have a family was not the answer. Not for her. Her mind drifted to the gentleman with the dog. Would he be the right one? He had not seemed to think it strange that she was rescuing children. And as it was something she was determined to continue to do after she married, any husband she had would have to agree.
Merton stood. “I must be off.”
“Have a good day.” She finished eating and went to the library. The room was almost two stories high with a balcony that went around the upper floor, and a spiral staircase connecting the balcony to the ground floor. Books dating back centuries could be found, and they were all shelved by subject and author. Two large fireplaces were kept lit, warming the room, until late in the evening because Merton, Dotty, Henrietta, and the Dowager Lady Merton when she was in residence frequented the room on a regular basis. Henrietta found a book she had loathed when she was still in the schoolroom a few years before written by Ovid, in Greek. Her father did not believe that ladies should be taught less than gentlemen. Which meant that in addition to all the things she and her sisters had to learn to be proper ladies, they also had to study Latin, Greek, and the higher maths. She remembered an argument she’d had with her sister, attempting to maintain that men did not want intelligent and educated females. It had not taken long for Henrietta to be proven wrong. At least about any gentleman she would want to wed.
She curled up in a large, brown velvet chair and opened the book, which had become an old friend. About a half hour later a tea tray arrived with slices of lemon cake and two ginger biscuits. The footman had entered the room and left before the scents reached her nose. She poured a cup of tea, selected a biscuit, and got lost in the story again.
“Miss,” Parkin said rather loudly. “A letter from Exeter House has arrived for you.”
“Thank you.” She held out her hand for the missive, written on finely pressed paper.
Placing the book on a small, round cherry table next to the chair, she popped open the seal.
My dearest Henrietta,
I had my groom follow “the gentleman.” He turned onto Charles Street and into the mews, and stopped at the first stables. According to my map, that puts him at Forty Grosvenor Street. That house has been occupied by the Fotherby family since it was built. I trust this information is helpful.
Yr. devoted friend,
D.
“Oh, God.” Henrietta covered her eyes and groaned. “It needed only this. Why is it that the only gentleman who has interested me at all abducted my sister?”
She closed the book. Even Ovid would not be able to distract her now. She supposed she should forget about Lord Fotherby. After all, they had not even been properly introduced. She munched on a ginger cookie, swallowed, and took a sip of tea. He must have been a truly horrid person. But the gentleman she had met was in no way objectionable. On the contrary, he had been extremely helpful and polite. And he had not judged her actions. What was it Merton had said?
It was Thea’s idea to allow his mother to deal with him, and Lady Fotherby decreed he was to be banished to the country until he learned his lesson and gained sufficient maturity to be let loose again.
Therefore, if Lord Fotherby—even if it was the wrong name, it was nice to have a name for him—was in Town, presumably his mother had decided he had changed sufficiently. That would explain his clothing and the dog, and the way he’d behaved toward her. Merton had also mentioned that his cousin had not liked him at the time he’d met her sister. Had Merton changed? If so, perhaps he would acknowledge that Lord Fotherby had changed as well. Still, if she was not to have anything to do with him, how would she find out? She reviewed the conversation again. No one had actually said she could not dance with him. Of course, no one knew he was in Town. Perhaps this might be one of those cases where it was easier to get forgiveness than permission. If, that was, she could find someone to introduce them. She glanced at Dorie’s letter again. A meeting might already be planned.
* * *
Nate finished dressing and went to the breakfast room, Padraig at his heel. He was surprised to find his mother already there. “Good morning. You are up early.”
“Good morning, dear. I have a great deal to do today.” She folded the newssheet she’d been reading and placed it on the table by her elbow. “Are you feeling better today?”
“Yes.” He should ask her about the duchess, but first he needed food and tea.
“The bacon is particularly good this morning.” Mama cut a piece of the bacon. “I think Cook must have found a new supplier.”
Stepping over to the sideboard, he lifted the lid on the first tray and found poached eggs. He took two, then found the bacon, added some ham, and went back to the table. A fresh rack of toast had just been brought in, and his mother handed him a cup of tea.
“What are your plans for today?” she asked.
“I was going to visit one or two of my clubs, but I went riding this morning and my boots are soaked. The pair I ordered from Hoby have not yet arrived, and I don’t want to ruin my shoes, so I’m staying home.” He cut an egg and dipped a piece of toast in it. “Do you have plans for the day?”
“I have an appointment with my modiste.” She sipped her tea. “When do you expect to receive more footwear?”
“Soon. If nothing has arrived by this afternoon, I’ll have Styles look into it.” He finished the toast and took another. “Mama, what was the Duchess of Bristol doing here last evening, and why did the two of you attempt to mislead me as to her identity?”
His mother had just taken another sip of tea and quickly held a serviette to her lips. “I would not say that we misled you.”
If not misleading, Nate would like to know what she called it. He raised a brow. “Indeed?”
