“Thank the good Lord for that.”
She almost expected him to make some sign.
“I must hurry. I know I smell like a horse, and I am starving.” She forced herself not to run up the stairs.
Less than an hour later she entered the breakfast room to find her sister already there. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” Dotty replied from behind a newssheet. “How was your ride?”
“It was wonderful. I love riding in the morning.” Henrietta picked up a plate and began to fill it.
Once she’d taken her seat and poured tea, her sister said, “I received a message from Mrs. Perriman. Mr. Meadows assisted her yesterday in rescuing a young woman and her daughter.” Dotty lowered her paper and frowned. “For some reason that name sounds familiar. I wonder if he was the one who gave the one-thousand-pound donation?”
“That is what we surmised before.” Henrietta used her brightest tone. Her sister was definitely becoming forgetfut. She was glad she had not yet taken a sip of tea. She would have spit it out. She took a sip now. It was odd to keep information from her sister, and a spear of guilt struck her.
“Yes.” Dotty picked up a piece of toast, glanced at the marmalade, and shook her head. “She praised his ability to take instruction from her. Apparently, the husband, or whoever he was, came after them. She thought he might attempt to fight the man, which would have caused a delay, but he went to the carriage when she told him to.”
“That was good of him.” She needed to change the subject. “Where did she take the woman and child?”
“Richmond. As you might suppose, the woman was terrified the man would find her. But I think she will be safe there.” Dotty bit into the toast.
“I agree.” Henrietta wished she could tell her sister that Fotherby planned to sign the house over to them. “Did she say anything else about Mr. Meadows?”
“Only that he was very well dressed.” Dotty took a sip of tea. “He must have gone to a tailor, but he did not hesitate to wear the old coat she gave him, and a hat.”
“He sounds like an extremely helpful man.” Henrietta almost cringed. What would her sister do when she found out the truth? “Has Merton left already?”
“He has. There is a vote in the Lords today.”
Applying herself to her breakfast, she wondered if he and Lord Fotherby would meet.
Dotty glanced at Henrietta. “Mr. Meadows has been helpful. He clearly likes to aid others.” Her sister’s brows rose slightly as she gave a light shrug. “Perhaps I should tell Mrs. Perriman that I would like to meet him.”
This time she had been in mid-sip and quickly brought the serviette to her lips.
“Is something wrong?” Her sister gave her a searching look.
“No, not at all.” Her voice croaked like a frog’s. Henrietta cleared her throat. “That is a wonderful idea.” This whole situation was going to come crashing down on them. Then what would happen? But she was not in love with him. She hardly knew him. Still, she did not want him harmed. “I simply wonder if he runs in our circles. It is possible he might not be comfortable with us.” Oooh, God was going to strike her dead.
“My dear sister”—this time Dotty’s disapproving look reminded Henrietta of their mother—“when did you become such a snob?”
“Me? A snob? I am not. I simply do not wish him to be uncomfortable.” Henrietta was out on a shaky limb and she knew it. Their father, a vicar before he inherited the baronetcy from his brother, had been extremely clear that they should never treat others differently, no matter their social status.
Dotty’s glare made Henrietta feel like a worm. “I’ve never heard such rot from you.”
Neither had she. “Perhaps I am wrong.”
“Perhaps?”
Drat, she’d done it now. “I’m sure you are correct that he would not be at all disconcerted.” She made a point of glancing at the clock and rose. “I must go. I am meeting Dorie.”
“This conversation is not over,” her sister called after her.
No one knew better than she that it was not over. The only question was how it would end. What would happen when Merton saw Fotherby today?
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
Nate blew out a frustrated breath. After several speeches the bill had finally passed, but he’d really not been in doubt about that. Still, if it took that long for a piece of legislation to succeed when almost everyone agreed, he had a hard time seeing how they could pass a bill when there was opposition. After the act passed, there were still a few pieces of business that were discussed before an adjournment was called.
