“Quite.” His mother matched his look with a completely unrepentant one of her own. “We lied to you quite purposefully.”
This time Nate almost spewed the tea from this mouth. “Good Lord, why?”
“Well, you see, she was the one who approached me after you had the poor sense to abduct her granddaughter. I surmised from your description of the lady you met that it was Henrietta Stern.” Now he had a name. Henrietta was a strong name, and it suited her. “I decided if you were to have any sort of opportunity to be introduced to the young lady, it might be helpful to approach her grandmother. Fortunately, we have been friends for many years, and in my letters to her I mentioned your progress.”
He’d had no idea his mother could be so devious. “In effect, you came up with the lie together?”
“Not precisely.” She picked up her cup again. “The duchess wished to meet you. And she decided to use one of her late husband’s minor titles.”
“So that I would not know who she was.” No wonder he’d felt as if his life was out of his control. A duchess, of all people, was meddling in it.
“Yes.” His mother took a sip of tea and set it down, then proceeded to twist the cup around on the saucer. “If it makes any difference, she formed an excellent opinion of you.”
Nate pinched the bridge of his nose. He had spent the last four years learning to stand on his own two feet. To direct the course his life would take. And even though his mother and the duchess obviously had his best interests at heart, he did not want to be handled, and he had the feeling they were more than capable of doing just that. Then again, he did not wish to be perverse. He might—hell, hewould—require their help even to gain an introduction to Henrietta Stern. And that was assuming she would have anything to do with him. Although, from the way she had acted after he had assisted her, he was certain there was something—an attraction—between them. Yet, he didn’t for a moment doubt that when Merton or her sister discovered he was in Town, they would warn her against him. It amazed him that the Duchess of Bristol had considered meeting him at all. And that must have been the reason for the subterfuge. If she had found him lacking, he would have been none the wiser.
“Fotherby, do you have nothing to say?” His mother sounded concerned.
“I am not quite sure whattosay.” He wished he’d not so thoroughly complicated his life. The desire to return home was stronger than ever. Then again, so was his desire to properly meet Miss Stern. “We only met once and the meeting did not last long.” Although, he wouldliketo get to know her better. Nay, he wasdeterminedto know her better.
“You could forget about Miss Stern and look for another lady.” His mother’s nose wrinkled. “I am sure I could find you a lady withsomeof the characteristics you want.”
He could not imagine any other lady with her bravery. “I could return to Ouse Tower.” But did he truly wish to run home? Because that would be exactly what he would be doing. Running away from anyone who knew of his wrongdoing, and from a lady he might want to wed. “I simply wish the situation was not so problematical.”
“You have at least one thing in common.” He raised a brow. How could she possibly know he and Miss Stern had anything in common? “You both put yourselves forward to help others.”
Mama was right about that. “I suppose we do.”
She placed her serviette next to her plate and rose, prompting him to stand. “Give it some thought. You do not have to do anything today.”
“I shall. Thank you for your assistance.”
“I am always glad to help you.” A wrinkle creased her still-smooth forehead. “If you are able, I would like you to escort me to Lady Thornhill’s drawing room in two days’ time.”
He’d never been to one of her ladyship’s drawing rooms. Before, he had considered the entertainment a hotbed of radicalism. He even remembered how appalled he’d been when Merton mentioned attending. Of its own volition, one corner of his mouth rose. He’d finally get to see why it was so disdained in Tory circles. “I would be delighted.”
“Oh, I am glad.” His mother smiled. “I think you will enjoy yourself. There are, naturally, any number of artists who attend, but also inventors.”
New inventions always interested him. Attending would also give him another way to ease himself back into thetonthan attending one of his clubs. Nate inclined his head. “I look forward to it.”
The wolfhound had opened one eye, but when he went back to his seat, Padraig shut it again. After this morning’s exercise, he’d probably sleep most of the day. Nate finished his breakfast, then headed to his study. A packet from Ouse Tower had arrived yesterday. By now his secretary would have sorted through it. When he entered the room he was pleased to see three neat stacks of letters. The first for bills, the second, and smallest, from tenants, and the third regular correspondence. One letter was placed in the middle of his desk. He picked it up and shook it out.
To Viscount Fotherby,
We thought you might like to know that we arrived home safely, and Emily and little John are doing well and already putting on some much-needed flesh.
Yr. Servant,
Odell
Nate grinned to himself. Little had given him more pleasure than helping to find Emily and her son. He opened the center drawer, tucked the letter away, and started on the bills. When he was finished, his mind strayed back to the day he’d arrived in Town. The other thing in which he’d been more than happy to assist was rescuing the baby. He would like to help fund the effort as well. He dipped his pen in the standish and started to write a cheque, then realized that all of his cheques now had his name printed on them. That wouldn’t do at all. He wasn’t ready for his former friend to know he was in Town. He’d have to have his secretary take the funds to them. He wrote a cheque for Chetwin to draw the funds from the bank. Nate also needed money for the household account. He wrote another cheque.
Gathering up the payments for the invoices, he strolled into his secretary’s office. “These are ready to be sent.” He set the cheques on Chetwin’s desk. “There is another matter I’d like you to see to. I wish to make a donation to the Phoenix Street charity, but I want you to take the funds to them and use the name Meadows if asked who made the donation”—but did he really want the money traced back to him?—“No, better the gift is given anonymously.”
Chetwin opened his mouth, shook his head, and closed his lips. “Yes, my lord. What amount would you like to give?”
“One thousand pounds.” Nate had no idea of their expenses, but had gathered there were several properties and many children and women involved.
“I take it the rest is to have on hand.”
