The cards had been placed against each vase. Henrietta opened the first card and read it out loud.
Dear Miss Stern,
It was a delight meeting you. I look forward to our ride this afternoon.
Yr. servant,
St. Albans
“Unexceptional.” Her sister nodded. “He said all that was proper. You, however, forgot to tell me you were going riding with him.” Dotty glanced at her watch brooch. “You do not have much time to change.”
Henrietta distinctly remembered telling her sister she was going riding with him today. “I can wear what I have on.” She placed the card on the table, opened the second one, and read it to her sister.
Dear Miss Stern,
I was honored to meet you today. Please tell me you will accompany me on a carriage ride tomorrow.
Yr. servant,
Bolingbroke
“This was nicely done as well.” Both messages were much better than the poetry she had received from many of the younger gentlemen last Season. “I shall send a messenger with my acceptance to his request.”
“Yes,” her sister agreed. “I will ask Merton about the gentlemen. It is always good to be forewarned if there are any problems.”
“Is that necessary?” Surely Dotty must be overreacting. “He did not do that last year.”
“Indeed it is.” Her brows rose, reminding Henrietta of their grandmother. “Worthington did the same for Charlotte, Louisa, and me. Merton did not do it last Season because you showed very little interest in any of the gentlemen you met.” Dotty glanced at the flowers again. “This reminds me of Lord Harrington and Lord Bentley. They too were beforehand with Charlotte and Louisa.”
Harrington and Bentley? “But neither of them married those gentlemen.”
“No. They did not.” Dotty gave a droll smile. “The early bird does not always catch the worm.” Her hand slipped to her stomach.
Henrietta had not been around when her sister was pregnant the first time, but she had not heard Dotty suffered a great deal of fatigue or suffered memory loss. Henrietta was starting to worry. “How are you feeling?”
“A little tired. This baby is much more active than Vivi was.” Dotty covered her mouth and yawned. “That reminds me. Lady Merton cannot come to Town. She slipped and broke her leg.”
“Broke her leg?” That was horrible news, but more for her ladyship than for Henrietta. “I hope she is all right.”
“According to the short note she sent, she seems to be. She is more concerned about you than herself.” Dotty yawned yet again. “The problem is that now I need to find someone to help chaperone you.”
“Dorie would be happy to chaperone me. Perhaps Grandmamma will assist as well.” Henrietta studied her sister. Fine lines had formed in Dotty’s forehead. “You should take a nap. You look tired. I will write a letter to Grandmamma, asking her if she would be willing to take me to some of the events.” Henrietta would tell Dorie. She would be thrilled.
“Just what every pregnant lady wishes to hear.” Dotty gave a rueful smile. “I wonder if Grandmamma will. But we will never know unless you ask her.”
Henrietta thought about her grandmother taking her to Lady Thornhill’s house today. “We shall know soon enough.” Dotty yawned a third time, and Henrietta felt like yawning too. “You really do need to take a nap. You are making me tired.”
“We can’t have that.” She smiled. “I shall, but first, how was your luncheon with Grandmamma?”
“Lovely. Afterward we went to Lady Thornhill’s salon, but there was no one there I knew.” The words were out of Henrietta’s lips before she had thought about them. Although, other than Lord Fotherby, therewasno one she knew. And she was not ready to discuss him with her sister. But she could mention his mother. “She met a friend of hers there, Lady Fotherby.”
“Yes, I believe she has known our grandmother for many years. She is usually in Town for the Season.” Dotty’s tone had become brittle. “As long as she does not bring her son, I am perfectly content.”
Henrietta barely avoided frowning. She should not be surprised. After all, she had expected that her sister would not be pleased he was in Town. Well, there was nothing she could do about it now.
She kissed her sister’s cheek. “If I do not have a chance to speak to Dorie in the Park, I will go to see her when I return.”
“Very well. I shall see you in an hour or so.” Dotty made a wan smile, and Henrietta watched as her sister made her way slowly up the stairs before going to the morning room.
