“Do you ride every morning?” Lady Exeter asked.
“Yes.” Thinking about Padraig going without his morning run made him smile, even though there would be nothing humorous about what he’d get in to. “My horse, the dog, and I all require the exercise.”
“In that event, we shall probably see you.” She cut a look at Miss Stern. “We ride shortly after dawn in order to avoid crowds.”
Not that there were “crowds” that early in the morning, but there could be wagging tongues. “I understand. I am certain we will see one another.”
“Come.” Exeter and Turley stepped over to Nate. “We will walk you out. We’d very much like it if you would join our circle for luncheon on Wednesdays,” Exeter said. “We spend most of the time discussing legislation. We meet at Brooks’s.”
“Thank you.” Perhaps that was when Nate would meet Merton again. The confrontation would have to come soon. And Nate welcomed it. It was time to take back his life.
When they reached the front door, Turley surprised Nate by leaving with him. “Will you not wait for your wife?”
Turley grinned. “They are taking Lady Exeter’s new barouche to the Park for a short visit. Even though the ladies exchange letters at least once a week when they are all in the country, they have not had time for a comfortable coze. Exeter and I will ride our horses alongside the carriage. You are welcome to join us if you wish. We will depart from Exeter House in a half hour.”
The question was, should he? Miss Stern seemed as if she would like to be interested in him, but he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable by pushing things along too quickly. At least not yet. “Perhaps it would be better if I see you there.”
Turley tilted his head to one side. “That might be a better strategy, at that.”
“Strategy?” Nate didn’t understand.
“Of course.” Turley seemed surprised. “One must have a plan of action if one wishes the lady he desires to return his affections. There is no use leaving it to fate.” Then he grimaced. “On the other hand, I was extremely happy when fate intervened with my plan.”
Nate hid his smile. “I take it your scheme was not working?”
“That would be one way of putting it.” Turley had a rueful smile on his face. “Fortunately, it all turned out well in the end.”
“The two of you look very happy.” As did Exeter and his lady. There were two more couples that had successful love matches to add to his count.
“We are. Of course, we would have been happier longer if I’d taken any advice, but I was determined to do it my way.” Turley pulled a face. “Do not make my mistake.”
“I will try not to.” Although other than Turley and Exeter and their ladies, Nate didn’t know who would bother to give him assistance. Rather the opposite. And he was extremely attracted to Miss Stern. He’d never met a lady quite like her. Or at all like her. Yet he had a feeling courting her would not be easy.
They reached his house and Turley bade him farewell.
As Nate climbed the steps, he wondered if any more of his clothing had been delivered. It hadn’t mattered before, but he did not wish to wear what he had on when it would only end up smelling like horse. And he didn’t want to wear an older suit.
Hulatt opened the door and bowed.
“Have Styles attend me,” Nate said as he passed by.
“I believe he is already in your dressing room, my lord. A package arrived, and he took it upstairs.”
“Excellent.” Or he hoped it was. Then again, she had already seen him in his country-made kit and hadn’t seemed to mind. In any event, how busy could the Park be? It was still two weeks until Easter.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Henrietta waited with Georgie while Dorie went to the nursery to tend to her baby. “I am very happy you arrived so early.”
“As am I. We would have been here sooner”—Georgie got a strange sort of smile on her face—“We were not far from London, but I was tired, and Turley insisted we stop for the night.” She gave a happy sigh and took Henrietta’s hands. “I have never been happier. He is all I could have dreamed of in a husband and more.”
“I am glad for you.” And for all her friends. “I will not be content until I find a gentleman who treats me as well as your husbands treat you, Adeline, Dorie, and Augusta.” It had surprised all of them that Augusta found marriage so much fun. Then again, she had wed a gentleman who was interested in the same things she was.
“You must think it might be Lord Fotherby.” A small line formed between Georgie’s brows. “I mean”—she bit down on her lower lip—“he appears to be a very nice man.”
“Yes.” And that was the crux of the problem. He was an extremely kind gentleman, and a responsible and caring one. “But he must also deal with his past. I spoke with Grace Worthington, and she told me how Merton had changed. Apparently none of the Vivers liked him at all. And I do believe Fotherby has changed from what he was before.”
“But?”
