After her lady’s maid departed from the room, her mother said, “Come sit with me for a moment.”
Henrietta went and sat down next to her mother. “Please do not bring up the wedding night again.”
Her mother grew solemn. “I wanted to ensure that you are all right with this wedding, especially since I know you have a tendency to overthink things.”
Henrietta started wringing her hands in her lap. “I’m scared, Mother,” she admitted, softly.
“What are you scared about?”
“Charles only offered for me because he was trying to save me from Mr. Drew.”
“Why should that matter?”
Henrietta jumped up from her seat and started pacing. “I am trapping Charles into marriage, just as Mr. Drew attempted to do with me.”
“This is hardly the same thing.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“It is evident to all that Charles is smitten by you.”
Henrietta frowned. “That is a far cry from wanting to marry someone.”
“Perhaps, but I don’t believe Lord Charles would have offered for you unless he wanted to.”
“I disagree,” Henrietta said. “Charles is selfless and kind. That is why I care for him.”
“I daresay you more than care for him.”
Henrietta stopped pacing. “It matters not how I feel,” she responded.
“Why do you say that?”
Henrietta hesitated. “I want to marry Charles,” she admitted, “desperately, in fact, but I do not want to force him to marry me.”
Her mother rose and placed her hand on her shoulder. “You are a spectacular young woman, and I have no doubt that Lord Charles recognizes that fact.”
“And if you are wrong?”
Her mother smiled. “I’m not. Any man would be lucky to marry you.”
“I fear that you are biased.”
“I most definitely am.”
Henrietta stared out the window of the coach as it rolled down the street. The church that Charles had selected for them to marry in was only a short distance away, but she found herself growing increasingly nervous with each turn of the wheels.
She reached into her reticule and removed her fan. As she began to fan her face, she wondered if Charles would even bother showing up at the church. She wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. But she knew in her heart that he would be there. He was not the type of man that would shirk his responsibilities.
“Are you all right?” Marjorie asked.
“I am,” Henrietta lied.
With a knowing look, Marjorie said, “Out with it.”
“What if Charles is at the church?”
Marjorie furrowed her brows. “Then you will marry him.”
