Her mother’s voice reached her ears. “Is everything all right, Henrietta?”
“Yes, Mother,” she replied, remaining low. “I seem to have lost a button.”
“Would you care for me to assist you?”
“No, that won’t be necessary,” she insisted. “I will be just a moment.”
Henrietta hadn’t thought her ruse through, and she wasn’t entirely sure how she was going to get out of this situation. It wasn’t as if she could keep looking for the button indefinitely. She glanced over at the door and wondered if she could crawl out of the room undetected.
A man’s voice came from near her. “Allow me to assist you.”
She glanced up and saw the very man that she was trying to avoid. He gave her a smile as he crouched down next to her. “I thought I recognized you,” he said in a hushed tone.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, accusingly.
“I’m not here to see you, if that is what you are wondering.”
“Then why are you here?”
“My friend asked me to accompany him.”
Henrietta lowered her gaze to the carpet as she asked, “Are you going to reveal to my mother how we truly met?”
“I have no intention of doing so.”
Her mother interrupted, “Perhaps it might be best if you stop looking for the button.”
Henrietta raised her voice. “Please give me one more moment; it is a very special button to me.”
The man gave her an amused look. “Did you even lose a button?”
She shook her head. “No, but I panicked when I saw you.”
“There was no need to,” he assured her. “I assure you that I will keep your secret.”
“I may have overreacted,” she admitted.
“May have?” He placed his gloved hand out. “Perhaps we should join the rest of the group and end this charade.”
Henrietta hesitantly placed her hand in his and allowed him to assist her in rising. Then, she slipped her hand out of his and took a step back, creating more distance between them.
“Did you find the button?” Marjorie asked, shifting in her seat to face her.
“I did not,” Henrietta replied.
Marjorie gave her a curious look. “What was so special about this button?”
“It was my lucky button.”
“Your lucky button?” Marjorie repeated. “I didn’t realize you had such a thing.”
“I have always had a lucky button,” Henrietta lied. “It is much easier than having a lucky coin or a lucky ribbon.”
“I suppose so,” Marjorie murmured. “It just is rather odd.”
The man gave her an amused look before saying, “I have heard it is all the rage right now.”
Marjorie looked unsure. “I haven’t heard that, but I shall take you at your word.”
