“Thank you.” Henrietta glanced at the clock. There was at least another three hours before she could even attempt to see her sister. She would speak with Dotty after she ate and before she started answering letters. At least Henrietta had no reason to rush her meal. In fact, she might have trouble waiting for her sister to finishing eating.
Surprisingly, the time went fairly quickly. Of course she had read every newssheet on the breakfast table. She had even perused the personal advertisements. She had no idea how many people were searching for other people. The clock struck eleven, and she rose from the table, then made her way to Dotty’s chambers.
Pausing before the door, Henrietta wiped her suddenly damp palms down her skirt. She had decided that no matter what her sister said, she would maintain a calm countenance. Unfortunately, no one had told her hands.. Or her stomach, which felt a little sick.
The footman standing beside the door bowed, and she nodded. He knocked on the door and waited. Dotty’s maid opened the door, bobbing a curtsey to Henrietta. “Come in, Miss Henrietta.”
Her sister sat behind her desk, a lovely walnut with a burl top, in the shape of a kidney. Dotty came out from behind it. “Henrietta, I feel as if I have not seen you for days.”
“It does seem that way.” She embraced her sister and bussed her cheek. Goodness, even she could feel the baby moving. “It’s very active.”
Dotty sighed. “I have decided it must be a boy.”
Henrietta took her sister’s hands and led her to a sofa. “I have something about which I wish to speak to you.”
“Well, if it is about either Bolingbroke or St. Albans, I do not think you would be happy with either of those gentlemen. Bolingbroke is very conservative, and St. Albans only wishes to wed in order to receive the property he has been promised.”
That was interesting. She was very glad she had not been smitten by either gentleman. “No. It is not about them.” This was much more difficult than she thought it would be.
Dotty tilted her head in the exact way Henrietta and their mother did when attempting to understand something. “Do you require more gowns?”
“Well, I might, but that is not what I wish to say. I think you should sit.”
Her sister raised one brow. “I am sitting. You are standing.”
She had not even noticed. Instead of sitting, she began pacing. “The thing is, I have found a gentleman I wish to marry.” Henrietta stopped and faced her sister. “Do you remember the gentleman we discussed, a Mr. Meadows?”
“Oh, famous.” Dotty clapped her hands in front of her chest. “You have been introduced to him?”
“I have.” She purposefully spoke slowly. “He has become friends with Lords Turley and Exeter as well.” Perhaps if she told her sister about all Nate’s good points, Dotty would not be too upset. “And you already know that he involves himself in charitable endeavors.”
“Yes, yes, of course. But that is wonderful that he is getting on with the other two gentlemen!” She looked so happy that Henrietta hated to ruin her mood. “It is always good when the husbands of your friends like the gentleman you like.”
“It is.” She nodded. “He has also met Grandmamma, and she approves of him as well.”
Dotty’s brows drew slightly together, forming a line above the bridge of her nose. “And has he spoken to Merton?”
“After a fashion. They met at Jackson’s”
“Jackson’s?” She seemed slightly confused. “He said nothing about meeting a Mr. Meadows.”
“Er. Yes.” Henrietta bit down on her lip. This was it, then. “Mr. Meadows is Lord Fotherby.”
Dotty’s expression turned from slightly confused to hard anger. “Fotherby!” Dotty’s voice was full of loathing, as if he was the lowest creature on the earth. “No. I will not allow it. How dare he court you when he must know how I feel about him.” Her glare turned on Henrietta. “How dare you accept an introduction to him?”
This was exactly the reaction Henrietta had been dreading. “I only know what you told me about what he was like four years ago.” She kept her tone as steady as she could. “If you remember, I knew him before we were introduced.” Her sister’s expression had not softened. “Please understand. He is not the same man at all. If only you would meet with him, you would know that.”
“I said no. I will not even consider the match.” Dotty’s face flushed and her breathing quickened.
“I love him.” Henrietta never thought she would plead, but she was. “He truly is different, and he is very sorry that he abducted you. If you would just speak with him . . .”
“No. Never.” Dotty shook her head. “If you insisted on meeting with him, I shall send you home.”
There had to be some way to get through to her. “You married the man you loved when Worthington and his family disapproved. Mama married the man she loved.” Henrietta stared at her sister’s hard mien. Could she do this? Could she live without her sister in her life? But could she live without Nate? She straightened her shoulders. “I shall marry the man I love. And he loves me. As much as I love you, I will not allow you to stand in the way of my happiness. You have no right to do so.”
“No right?” Dotty slammed her hand down on the writing desk, causing the inkpot to rattle in its stand, and Henrietta almost jumped. She willed herself not to react. Not to change her mind. “He abducted me the day before my betrothal ball! He did not even care about my reputation. He is a scoundrel, a blackguard, a snake. Can you not see how he is tricking you?”
Dotty’s anguish rolled off in waves so real, Henrietta felt it. Tears pricked her eyes. For a moment she considered telling Nate that they would have to wait. But wait for what? She was not sure her sister would ever change her mind. Could she really give him up? She took her sister’s hands in hers, hoping to calm Dotty. This could not be good for the baby.
