His eyes widened in surprise. “Your grandmother, and who is the other person?”
“Merton. He told me his main concern was my sister, but he would not stand in our way. It might be because he knows what it is like to want to marry against a woman’s guardian’s wishes.”
“Worthington didn’t want him to marry your sister?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I did not know about that until recently.”
Nate drew Henrietta close to him again. “I hope someday Merton and I can be friends once more. But right now I have three questions to ask you.” Regretfully, he loosened his hold on her. “I made free with your name without your permission. May I call you Henrietta, and will you call me Nate?”
Her brilliant green eyes looked as if they were swimming in water, but she was smiling, so it couldn’t be bad. “Yes and yes.”
He dropped to one knee and took her hands. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife and helpmate, the mother of my children, and my love for the rest of our lives?”
Tears trembled on the rim of her eyes and tumbled over. “I will, gladly.”
Nate rose to his feet, took out his handkerchief, and dabbed the tears from her cheeks. “Who do I ask for permission to marry you?”
The tears stopped, and a calculating look entered her eyes. “That is a bit harder. The understanding Merton has with my father is that my father will go along with his decision.” She tapped one finger against Nate’s chest. “In our case, I believe we must get my grandmother involved to speak to my parents.”
“My mother and I are dining with her this evening. I will speak with her then.”
“I am dining with her as well.” Although Henrietta was looking at him, he knew she wasn’t seeing him; then her eyes refocused. “I should not be surprised. I think she has been promoting a match between us. Although”—her finger started tapping against him again—“she might have a good idea as to how we go about gaining permission to wed.”
Knowing what he did of the formidable older lady, he had no doubt. “Shall we allow ourselves to be guided by her?”
“I think we must. She was the one who made it possible for my mother and father to marry.”
“In that case she must know what she is doing.” At least, Nate hoped she did. “Once we do have permission, how soon do you wish to wait before we wed?”
Henrietta slowly shook her head. “Not long at all. Before the Season begins.”
He took her in his arms again, then heard a baby cry. “We should be going.”
“If we must.” She shook out her rumpled skirts. “Shall we tell everyone and swear them to secrecy?”
“Unless you think we can keep the secret.” The full knowledge that they were actually going to marry hit him like one of Merton’s punches. Nate almost staggered. “I confess, I’m so happy, I have to tell someone.”
Her smile was at least as wide as his. “I feel the same way.” She took his hand in her much smaller one. “Let us see what they have to say.”
Their happiness and intentions must have shown on their faces. Lady Turley saw them first and motioned to the other three.
She was fairly bouncing on her toes, and he couldn’t leave her in suspense. “Henrietta has agreed to marry me.”
The ladies gathered around Henrietta, and the gentlemen around him.
After they were well hugged and he was slapped on the back in congratulations, Lady Exeter held up her hand for silence and glanced at him. “We are all on a first-name basis in private. As you are going to be joining our little group, we would like you to use our first names as well.”
“Thank you.” He gave a short bow. “Please call me Nate.”
Lady Exeter touched her chest. “I am Dorie. My husband is Alexander. Although for some reason the gentlemen never seem to use first names for other gentlemen.” She indicated Lady Turley next to her. “This is Georgie, and her husband is Gavin.” Dorie glanced around. “We must go back to Town.”
“There is just one thing,” Henrietta said. “You cannot tell anyone that we are betrothed. Nate must speak with my father or someone before it is official.”
“Merton?” Dorie asked.
“He knows how I feel about Nate, and he said he will not stand in our way. However, I cannot put him in a position that would set him against my sister.”
“That is one obstacle taken care of,” Georgie said. “I have faith it will all work out.” She rubbed her stomach. “Do you have any cheese and bread left? I’m a bit hungry.”
