“Yes, miss.”
Nate assisted Henrietta and her future mother-in-law into the carriage, then got in himself. As soon as the steps were up, the coach moved forward. She sat next to her ladyship and across from Nate. Lady Fotherby’s mouth was set into a thin line, and there was no attempt by any of them to make conversation. Fortunately, less than ten minutes later, they drew up to the hotel, and made their way to her grandmother’s suite. The butler showed them into a parlor and announced them. If Grandmamma was surprised to see them enter together, she did not show it.
“Welcome.” She bussed Lady Fotherby’s and Henrietta’s cheeks.
Nate elegantly bowed over Grandmamma’s hand. “Thank you for inviting us. We”—he held out his hand to Henrietta, and she took it—“have something about which we need your advice.”
Grandmamma’s sharp green eyes flicked from him to Henrietta, then to Lady Fotherby, who still looked disapprovingly at Nate. “Come, we shall have a glass of sherry.”
Once they were seated—Henrietta and Nate on one small sofa, her grandmother and his mother on the sofa facing them—Henrietta said, “Lord Fotherby and I wish to wed. Merton said he would not stand in my way, but he does not appear to want to be involved.”
Lady Fotherby heaved a sigh. “My son has acted precipitously by already proposing.”
Henrietta was certain she saw her grandmother’s lips twitch, as if she was trying not to laugh. Grandmamma took a sip of sherry before piercing them with a look that would have had Henrietta trembling, if not for the humor in her eyes. “Once I saw you two together, I knew how it would be.” She set her glass on a square, marble-topped table at her elbow. “You are very like your mother. She did not take the easy way either.” Grandmamma glanced at Nate. “My son-in-law defied my late husband and asked for my daughter’s hand despite being rejected. I must say that in a worldly way, you are much more eligible than he was.”
“Will there not be problems with your daughter and son-in-law?” Lady Fotherby asked.
“I do not believe so.” Grandmamma had a smug expression on her face. “Acting on my feeling it would come to this, I wrote to my daughter and related the changes Fotherby has made, how he and Henrietta met, and what my impression of him is. I also said I would be surprised if the two of them did not decide they would suit.”
Henrietta wanted to jump up and hug her grandmother, but such exuberant behavior was never encouraged. “Thank you. Did Mama answer you?”
Her grandmother’s brows rose. “She said she would write to you.”
Henrietta had to blink back tears of joy. “She did write to me, and told me to follow my heart. But Papa?” Her thought was that her father might not have forgiven Nate. But that was not at all like Papa. He firmly believed in redemption, and it was clear to anyone with eyes that Nate had redeemed himself.
“If there is a problem,” Grandmamma said, “I am certain your mother will talk him around.”
Nate had listened to the conversation with interest. It seemed that there was tacit approval for them to marry, but it did not answer his most pressing question. “Your grace, who do I approach about marrying Henrie—Miss Stern? There are also the marriage settlements to consider.”
Grandmamma’s forehead furrowed slightly, then she gave a sharp nod. “Since I promoted the match, I shall take responsibility for approving it. Therefore, my lord, you have permission to marry Henrietta. I will, however, demand Merton’s solicitor draw up the marriage contract. That is the least he can do, considering he abrogated his duty in this instance.”
Nate reached over and squeezed Henrietta’s hand. “Shall I leave my solicitor’s name with you?”
“Yes. I shall send it along with my letter to Merton.” The duchess rose. “Shall we go into dinner? Fotherby, you may escort me.”
He would rather have had Henrietta on his arm, but he was not going to argue with the one person who had said he could wed her. “With pleasure, ma’am.”
The table was square, allowing them to speak easily. He sat on the duchess’s left and his mother was across from him, allowing Henrietta to sit on Nate’s left. Instead of the dishes placed on the table, the butler and a footman handed them around. Nate had forgotten how hungry he was and was determined to do justice to all the dishes. He was happy to see Henrietta did not stint herself. There was white soup, followed by sole in a delicate lemon sauce, and buttered lobster. Capons were served with sautéed mushrooms removed by broccoli in a butter sauce, cabbage pudding, and carrots. After which a salad was served. Dessert consisted of fruit, a selection of cheeses, and pears in red wine sauce. It was accompanied by a very fine champagne.
The duchess held up a glass. “To Henrietta and Fotherby. I wish you happy.”
“I too wish you happy.” Lady Fotherby raised her glass. “I admit I was a bit concerned at the way you went about it, but everything has worked out for the best.”
“Thank you,” Nate and Henrietta said at the same time, then glanced at her at the same time she looked at him, and they both laughed. He leaned close to her and in a low voice said, “We are officially betrothed.”
“I know. I wonder how we will arrange the wedding.” Her smile faded a bit. “I will have to tell my sister.”
“If you like, I will join you when you do.” He had a wry look on his face. “But I doubt my presence would help.”
“It would not help at all.” Henrietta bit her bottom lip, and he was reminded of their kisses earlier.
He wished they could marry quietly, by special license. That, though, was an air castle. “If worse comes to worse, we will have the wedding breakfast at my house. It is not unusual to have it at the bridegroom’s residence.”
“If she does not change her mind, I think I would like to have a small event. Perhaps only our families and our friends.”
He liked how “our friends” sounded. Nate had really never had many friends. He was acquainted with the other gentlemen in the area near his home, but none of them were in the same situation as he. They were either older, with daughters they were trying to marry off, or married with young families, or younger and ripe for trouble. It occurred to him that when he and Henrietta wed, he’d have more in common with some of them. Merton had been Nate’s only real friend.
“You look solemn. Are you thinking about the wedding?” Henrietta appeared concerned.
