Even if he tried, he couldn’t hide forever. Exeter had already found him. “No. I just wish I knew how to approach certain people.”
“Ahh.” She took a sip of tea. “I am sure you will work it out somehow. When you finally meet Miss Stern, and if the two of you get on well, Merton will have to come around . . . eventually. Especially if the duchess approves of you.” Mama studied Nate for several seconds. “You have changed immensely. I do not say it enough, but I am very proud of you.”
“Thank you.” A lump formed in his throat, and he coughed to clear it. “That means a great deal to me.”
“Yes, well, now it is up to you to show others how much you have matured.” His mother finished her tea. “I shall see you later. It is time for me to discover who is holding morning visits this early in the Season.”
“I’m going to Exeter House for tea this afternoon.” Nate took a breath. He had originally decided to wait until after the visit before telling his mother. “Miss Stern will be present.”
He’d never seen his mother’s face show such pure joy. “I am delighted. You will tell me how it goes?”
“Of course.” Even he felt a smile tug the corners of his lips. “I am a little nervous. Well, perhaps a bit more than a little. For all I know, she is coming to berate me. Or because Lady Exeter has not told her who I am.” He shook his head. “All I can do is see what happens.”
His mother was still beaming. “I have some acquaintance with both Lady Exeter and Miss Stern. They are very close friends. I have a strong feeling that Miss Stern knows exactly who you are, and that you will be there.”
“But to what end?” Despite having tried to bury his worries, all his fears about the meeting came rushing back.
“Unlike many young ladies I have known, neither Lady Exeter nor Miss Stern is cruel.” His mother rose. “I wish you luck.”
“Thank you.” He watched his mother leave the breakfast room. When she could no longer be seen, he muttered to himself, “I wish I was as confident.”
He half expected to be sent away with a flea in his ear. What would he do then? The easy answer was to return to the country. Yet, he did have to find a wife. His cousin was currently Nate’s heir, and the boy was still in the schoolroom.
Padraig wandered into the breakfast room and nudged Nate’s arm with his head. “Finished with your breakfast already?”
The Wolfhound eyed his plate. “No. You’re not going to join me at meals here. That would be a bad habit to start.” He stroked the dog’s head as he finished his egg and the last two pieces of toast. “Come. You can take a nap while I work.”
Nate wondered if Miss Stern liked dogs, and hoped she did. It could be a problem if she did not.
* * *
“There he is.” Henrietta and Dorie were cooling down their horses from a gallop when she pointed to the gentleman riding with a Wolfhound. “It is such a pity we cannot simply introduce ourselves.”
Henrietta stared at Fotherby’s back, then at his profile as he glanced down at his dog. “That would be so much easier.” But rules must be obeyed. Even her sister would send her back home for such a breach in conduct. “Then again, I will meet him this afternoon. I must remember to thank Exeter for arranging it.”
“Yes.” A dreamy smile dawned on Dorie’s face. “He is wonderful and exceedingly helpful. I could not have married a more perfect gentleman for me.”
“I agree.” Henrietta stifled a laugh. Her friend had fought so hard to not even like Exeter, but just when she realized that she was in love and thought she’d lost him, he’d declared his love for her and proposed. More or less. “I think everyone has done stupendously well. I could not think of a better gentleman for Adeline than Littleton.”
Dorie pulled a face. “And I almost caused the match to never happen.”
“You had your reasons.” Henrietta let her smile show. Dorie had thought Littleton was going to make her an offer when he left Town two years previously. She had been so angry and hurt that she spoke against him to Adeline. “I suppose we can thank the rules for making it impossible for her to refuse to dance and ride with him.”
“Yes, they were helpful for that.” Dorie smiled as well. “And now they have twins! I am so happy for them. Not thatIwant twins, but they are in Heaven.”
“And Turley is the perfect gentleman for Georgie.” Henrietta grinned as she thought of the trouble they had given him because he would not admit he loved Georgie. “Although it was ridiculous that he almost had to lose her before he realized he’d been in love the whole time.”
Dorie heaved a sigh. “Apparently it takes some gentlemen longer than others.” She turned to Henrietta and grinned. “I do hope Fotherby turns out to be the right gentleman for you.”
“If he does, the problem will be bringing my family around.” Henrietta pulled a face. “That will not be easy, and I am not looking forward to the fight.”
Dorie raised a brow, making her look as imperious as her mother. “But really, what could your sister and brother-in-law do?”
“Send me home.” Fotherby had left the Park. Perhaps the next time they rode, he could accompany them.
“In that case, you will stay with me. I am perfectly capable of chaperoning you, and my consequence will not suffer Merton’s disappointment.”
It must be wonderful to have such well-deserved confidence. “But you cannot keep me from my parents,” Henrietta pointed out.
