“No more so than I.” He couldn’t believe that he had found the perfect lady for him. Henrietta was everything he wanted in a wife. He just wished her conversation with the sister was over. He didn’t think she would change her mind, but it had to put a pall over what was a happy event. They were at the entrance to Grosvenor Square. “I shall wait here until I see you are safely inside.”
Henrietta laughed. “My knight gallant.”
Nate bowed. “As you see.”
“I will send word after I have spoken with my sister.” She looked so concerned he wanted to take her into his arms. Then again, he always wanted to hold her.
Next to them, his dog whined.
“You are right, Padraig. I need to go home.” She glanced at Nate again. “I look forward to seeing the rings.”
As she rode away, he wished again he could kiss her, or draw her close to him, or make that meeting not be so fraught. He sent up prayers to the deities that it would be good news. Or rather, that her sister didn’t talk Henrietta out of marrying him. Yet that was an unlikely outcome. His betrothed was a strong-minded woman. And she had the support of her grandmother and mother. All would be well. It had to be.
Nate reached his stables, dismounted, handed Darragh’s reins to a groom, and strolled into the stables, where he found his coachman, a man in his middle years with sandy hair who had started as a groom when Nate was a boy. “Good day.”
“Good day, my lord. Is something awry?”
“Not at all. I’m sending my secretary to Ouse Tower on an errand as soon as he can be ready to depart. He’ll come straight back. Will there be any difficulty in returning by tomorrow early evening?”
The coachman rubbed his chin. They had made the same journey not long ago, but he liked to consult with the man. “As long as we don’t run into weather, it will be fine. I’ll take one of the grooms along with me to spare me with the driving.”
“Very well. Be ready in about an hour.”
“Easily done, my lord.”
“I’ll have Cook make a basket for you unless you prefer to stop and eat at an inn along the way. Naturally, I’ll also send the funds if you must spend the night.”
“This time of year, it will be just as well to drive straight through. I don’t doubt the inns will be full with folks coming to London.”
“You have a good point.” Nate hadn’t even thought of that. “I wish you a trouble-free trip.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Nate gained the town house via the garden gate, making sure to lock it behind him, then braved the domain of his cook.
“Goodness, my lord. What brings you down here?” Cook was a tall, broadly built woman whose skill in the kitchen rivaled any Frenchchef de cuisine. Before coming to them, she had worked for an English family in France after the war.
“I’m sending Mr. Chetwin back home to fetch something and I want the journey to be as quick as may be. He’ll leave in about an hour. Can you have a basket prepared by then?”
“Of course, my lord. Nothing easier.”
“Thank you.” Nate gave her a short bow that made two of the kitchen maids giggle, took himself to his bedchamber, and sent for his secretary to attend him.
Once he’d told his secretary what he wanted, Chetwin grinned. “Would I be too precipitous to wish you happy?”
“Not at all. The matter was settled last night.” Nate donned his jacket. “Your good wishes are appreciated.”
His mother was already in the breakfast room buried in a newssheet when Nate arrived. He’d have to remember to ask Henrietta what her morning habits were. He took his place at the table. “I’ve sent for the wedding rings.”
“I believe we have some in the safe here as well.” Mama lowered the paper. “The duchess and I discussed the matter of your wedding last evening. If Lady Merton will not plan it, we will. I understand that her mother might help as well.”
He hadn’t expected that, but he was glad for it. Henrietta had been a bit concerned. “Thank you.”
His mother picked up the newspaper again, and his butler brought his breakfast. It was amazing how everything seemed to be going on as normally when his whole life was about to change so drastically.
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
When Henrietta reached her chamber, Spyer said, “Her ladyship has not been waking until after ten o’clock. After which she breaks her fast and starts on her correspondence.”
