He started in to the side on which he’d taken his seat before, and Turley took Nate’s elbow. “This way.”
“Ah, yes.” He was no longer a Tory. He took a seat on the padded bench next to Turley. It was a good day for him to begin attending the Lords again. The only item on the agenda was the approval of the Convention of 1818, a treaty between England and the United States that established the forty-ninth parallel as the northern boundary between British North America and England’s former colonies.
“Good morning,” Lord Bolingbroke said as he passed them.
“Good morning.” Nate saw the man take his place among the earls. “I don’t see St. Albans.”
“You won’t,” Turley responded. “He’s the Duke of Cleveland’s eldest.”
Nate nodded. “I think my father knew Cleveland.”
“He most likely did.” Turley shrugged. “They were both Tories.”
“They were.” Nate’s father would have had apoplexy seeing him here. But he was convinced it had been the right move, along with all the other changes he’d made. He didn’t know how long they’d be here, but he had to get Merton’s attention before he left. One way or the other, this situation had to be resolved.
* * *
Once Georgie made the turn toward Green Street, where Turley House was located, Dorie rode closer to Henrietta. “I hope you did not mind that both Georgie and I promised to invite Lord Fotherby to our entertainments.”
Henrietta slid her friend a look. “No, I did not mind at all. You know that I have not yet made any decisions.” Dorie raised a brow. “Well, I have decided not to make a decision. Unfortunately, falling in love with him would be very complicated.”
“I can assure you that the falling in love part is not complicated at all. It is the dealing with the family that is sometimes difficult.” Dorie furrowed her brows. “Did you not think your grandmother liked him?”
“Yes.” Grandmamma would never have introduced him if she had not. “I suppose you are correct about the falling in love part. Still, I was not even interested in any of the gentlemen last Season or in the autumn Season, and now three men have caught my attention.” That in itself was amazing. “But you are correct. Thus far, Fotherby is the most interesting of the three.” Henrietta recalled how Lords St. Albans and Bolingbroke flipped a coin over who would escort her to the front door. At first she’d thought it was silly, but upon second thought it seemed as if they were playing a game. And she did not intend to be an object of their sport, or whatever they were doing. Still . . . “I suppose you should invite Lord Bolingbroke and Lord St. Albans as well.”
Dorie’s brow puckered. “I shall have to discover which young ladies are in Town.” A delighted smile appeared on her face. “Did you hear that we will have another set of Tice and Martindale?”
“No.” There couldn’t be. “Do you mean to say their mothers each managed to have three daughters each with like ages?”
“Four.” Dorie nodded. “I wonder if they will wish to wed gentlemen who live near each other, the same as their sisters did.”
“We will know shortly.” Henrietta also hoped that the two young ladies did not decide to use the same antics their sisters had last Season. Tricking a gentleman into marriage was a horrible thing to do.
“I do hope they are more mature than their sisters,” Dorie commented.
Yet was that fair? The sisters had acted like complete featherheads during the Season, but, once married, suddenly had become responsible matrons. But this was the Season they were discussing. “I do as well.” Henrietta halted Lilly in front of her sister’s house. “We will meet all the young ladies at Lady Bellamny’s party in a few weeks.”
“Perhaps I shall have my al fresco luncheon after her ladyship’s event,” Dorie said. “It will be nice to invite some of the ladies making their come out.”
“I agree. I remember how wary I was until I met you, Georgie, Adeline, and Augusta. It is hard to believe we have only known each other for a year.”
“It seems as if we have been friends forever,” Dorie agreed.
A groom came forward, and Henrietta unhooked her leg, then slid down from her mare. “Do you have plans for today?”
“I am going to take the girls shopping. Would you like to join us?”
When Dorie had married Exeter, he’d come with two much younger sisters. Well, much younger than he was. The oldest, Penelope, was only two years younger than Dorie. Penelope would make her come out next year. “Yes. I’d like that.”
Henrietta climbed the steps and the door opened. “Good morning, Parkin.”
He bowed. “Good morning, Miss Henrietta. Did you have a pleasant ride?”
“I did. Lady Turley decided to join us in her phaeton.”
His eyes widened into a horrified look. “Not one of those high-perch ones?”
“No, no.” Henrietta strove not to laugh. “The normal one. It was very safe.”
