Merton finished his beer. “It appears that my sister-in-law is interested in you.”
Answered honestly, Nate’s response would reveal a wealth of information. There was nothing to be gained by lying. “I am interested in her as well.”
“How did you meet her, formally?” Merton signaled the serving maid to bring him another beer.
Nate was not going to tell him about Lady Exeter planning the meeting. There might be repercussions that would upset Henrietta. “My mother and the Dowager Duchess of Bristol are old friends. She introduced us at Lady Thornhill’s salon.” Nate shrugged. “There was no one there either of us knew, so we spent the time talking.” Nate took a sip of his beer. He didn’t drink much anymore and he needed to keep his wits about him. “She is an interesting lady.”
Merton muttered something that Nate couldn’t hear, then said, “Bolingbroke and St. Albans are interested in her.”
“I am aware.” But neither of those gentlemen knew Henrietta Stern the way Nate did. Merton was still trying to stare him down, but it wasn’t going to work. “I would like to get to know her better. I think we have many things in common.”
Merton’s lips thinned. “I doubt my wife is willing to forgive and forget.”
“I’d like to apologize to her for my behavior.” If there was any way possible, Nate wanted to get past this. He wanted to be able to take Miss Stern riding during the Grand Strut, to court her in pubic.
“There is also the matter of her parents.” Merton’s eyes bore into Nate’s, almost as if he was trying to catch Nate lying.
He nodded. “If she can forgive me, would not her family listen to her?”
“Most likely. However, I am not at all certain shewillforgive you.” Merton picked up his mug and drank again. “I’ll ask her if she will allow you to try to excuse your past behavior.”
“Not excuse.” Never that. “I was wrong, and I callously failed to heed her protests.” Nate wished he hadn’t been so weak before.
“I’ll ask her. That is all I can do.”
“Thank you.” He rose from the table and put down several coins, enough to pay for his and Merton’s drinks.
Before he could leave, Merton said, “The one thousand pounds came from you, did it not?”
“It did.” Would Lady Merton try to return it if she knew Nate had made the donation? He didn’t want that to happen. “I beg you not to tell your wife. I made the donation because saving children and women is a just cause.”
“Did you tell my sister-in-law?” The hardness still had not left Merton’s face.
Nate was starting to feel insulted. “No, and I don’t plan to.”
“I shall ask my wife if she will meet with you.” He donned his hat. “I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
That was what Nate was afraid of. There had to be a way. He just hadn’t found it yet. “Thank you.”
“Have you decided to attend Parliament while you’re in Town?” Merton asked.
“I already have. I was there for the recent vote.”
“Odd.” Merton lips flattened downward, as if he was thinking. “I don’t recall seeing you there.”
Nate lifted one shoulder and let it drop. “I saw you. You were with Worthington and two other gentlemen.”
“Yes, Kenilworth and Rothwell. They’re the husbands of my wife’s closest friends.” Merton stared at Nate for a few seconds. “Where did you sit?”
“I decided to change parties. I sat with the Whigs.”
Rubbing his chin, Merton nodded. “I’ll probably see you soon, then.”
“Probably.”
Nate left the inn after Merton and squinted in the bright sunlight. Even if Lady Merton refused to allow Nate to make amends, he still wanted to see Henrietta. But had letting Merton know of his interest in the lady killed his chances with her? He hoped not. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted her in his life. Still, this problem with Lady Merton did not seem as if it would go away. He couldn’t simply trust to fate. Somehow he had to find some way for her to if not forgive him, at least accept it was up to Henrietta to decide who she would have. Naturally, he would do everything possible to make sure it was him. Perhaps it was time to seek his mother’s advice.
Walking slowly, he made his way home. “Hulatt, where is her ladyship?”
