Once Exeter had lowered himself into the chair, Nate came around his desk and took the second chair. Was the door knocker even up? “To what do I owe your visit?”
“My wife.” Exeter had a fond look on his face that was obviously not because of Nate. “She is a force of nature.”
“I do not believe I have met her.” He spoke slowly, trying to place the lady.
“I have no doubt about that.” Exeter’s lips twitched and laughter filled his eyes. “You did, however, meet one of her friends.”
Hulatt brought in a tea tray and set it on Nate’s desk. As he poured, he tried to think of any ladies he’d met—Miss Stern? It had to be. Was Lady Exeter merely meddling—he already had two females doing that—or did Miss Stern really wish to meet him? Or was it some other lady who had seen him? Although when another lady could have seen him, he didn’t know. The only places he’d been was at the Park and to and from there. But no. It was a lady he had met, though obviously not properly. Ergo, it had to be Miss Stern.
Exeter took the cup. “I am here to invite you to tea. Tomorrow, if you are available.”
“Tomorrow?” He nodded. “Yes. I am free.” Nate wanted to ask more questions.
He must have opened his mouth, for Exeter shook his head. “I know little more. My wife and her friend saw you riding this morning. She sent her groom to find your house. Once he reported back, she discovered you are the gentleman her friend met.” He finished his cup of tea, rose, and with a graceful gesture, indicated himself. “Hence my visit.”
Nate stood as well. “I suppose I should instruct my staff to put up the knocker if it has not already been done.”
“It has not.” His lordship grinned. “May I ask to which party you belong?”
That was the exact question with which he’d been wrestling. “I used to claim the Tories. But now I believe I might do better with the Whig party.”
Exeter nodded. “I was in the exact same position. My father was a Tory, but I am more comfortable being a Whig. Are you a member of Brooks’s?”
“Yes. Since birth. I was signed up for White’s, Boodle’s, and Brooks’s. Although I have only visited White’s, and that not for several years.”
“Again, exactly my position.” He nodded again. “If you’d like, I’d be happy to take you around.”
“Thank you. We might wish to have tea first.” When Exeter discovered what Nate had done, would he still wish to spend time with him? Today was not the day to find out. After he went to Exeter House for tea would be a better time. And would Miss Stern still wish to know him? He could not believe she knew of his wrong doing.
“Of course. I shall see you tomorrow at three.” Exeter inclined his head again. “Until then.”
“Yes, and thank you.” Feeling more than a little nonplussed by this turn of events, Nate walked with his lordship to the door. “Until tomorrow.”
He watched as the man reached the pavement and strode down the street. “Hulatt, you may put up the knocker.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Nate wondered who, if anyone, would arrive next. He glanced at the clock and whistled. Not a second later, the sound of Padraig running from Nate’s study echoed. “Good boy. Let’s take a short walk. Not that you need one, but I do.” He attached the lead and stepped outside. Had Miss Stern really told Lady Exeter about him? It seemed incredible. He’d been right. It had been Miss Stern he’d seen this morning, and the other lady must have been Lady Exeter. Why did he suddenly feel as if he was thinking underwater? Lady Exeter knew who he was, but had she told Miss Stern? Or was her ladyship one of those women who insisted on arranging things to her own satisfaction? He shrugged. No matter what it was, he’d find out tomorrow.
Several fashionable carriages drove by headed toward the Park. Nate was not ready to see many people yet. “We’re not going to the Park today. I’d take you to Green Park, but you might be too interested in the cows.” Padraig glanced up, his tongue lolling out of his mouth. Perhaps the cows wouldn’t be there in the afternoon. “Very well, Green Park it is.”
When he arrived, the cows were grazing, but he was able to take a path that avoided the animals. Strange; he’d spent years coming to Town and had never before known there were various paths. In many ways, he was seeing London through different eyes. They reached the south side of the park and crossed Piccadilly. As he approached Grosvenor Square, he found his steps slowing. What if he were to leave his card at Merton House? Shaking his head, he walked on. He had to find some way of reintroducing himself to Merton.
Perhaps he’d be better off waiting to see if the attraction he thought was between Miss Stern and himself was actually there. It might have been a temporary result of the way they met. He nodded to himself. That was what he’d do. Discover if what he thought he felt about Henrietta Stern was true. If it was, then something would have to be done about his relations with the Mertons. Nate didn’t like all this uncertainty. Nor did he like feeling as if a building was about to fall on his head, or his lack of self-confidence about the matter. Then again, there was no point worrying about it at the moment. There were too many variables. He and Miss Stern could see each other again and not be at all interested. He really couldn’t believe that would happen, but it might. Almost anything was possible.
Nate strolled into his town house and back to his study and found Chetwin had returned. “Were you able to deliver the donation?”
“I was.” He grinned. “It was most appreciated. The manager—Mrs. Perriman, I believe her name is—tried to get me to tell her who the donor was, but I told her I had other errands and must leave.”
“Good man.” That had gone well. Nate trusted that the funds would be promptly deposited in the bank.
“My lord,” Garford said from the door. “Your new boots have arrived. Mr. Styles would like you to try them on.”
“Tell him I will be there in a few moments.”
The servant bowed. “Yes, my lord.”
Despite some of Nate’s worries, this was turning into a very good day indeed. Hopefully, tomorrow would be even better.
