“I have found many ancient bones over the years,” she admitted proudly.
“That is an impressive feat.”
Henrietta kept her gaze straight ahead. “I’m afraid that my parents believe it to be a waste of time.”
“And why is that?”
“According to my parents, ‘a woman’s greatest accomplishment is that she marries well’,” she said, attempting to keep the irritation out of her voice. “I’m afraid nothing else matters to them.”
“I find that I must disagree with your parents.”
“You do?” she asked, looking at him in surprise.
Lord Charles nodded. “Every Season, young women make their debut, and they all seem to share the same accomplishments. It is refreshing to meet someone who has different pursuits.”
“I appreciate you saying so, my lord.”
“You are welcome,” he said.
They grew silent as they continued to walk along the footpath, and Henrietta attempted to think of something clever to say. The silence threatened to become awkward, so she blurted out, “I fly kites.”
Drat. That wasn’t very clever at all.
“You do?”
“I build them, as well,” she shared. “One of the grooms made me a kite when I was young, and I suppose I became rather fascinated by them.”
“I am impressed that you make your own kites.”
“Don’t be,” she said. “It is rather an easy feat once you get the hang of it.”
“I can’t imagine that to be the case. I am sure there is an art to it.”
Henrietta grinned. “You haven’t seen my kites, then. I sort of just piece them together with items that I find around the estate.”
“Regardless, I find that to be rather impressive.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Their conversation came to a halt when Marjorie and Lord Brixton turned around and approached them, both with wide smiles on their faces.
Lord Brixton spoke first. “Miss Whiston has agreed to join me on a ride through Hyde Park tomorrow.”
Marjorie bobbed her head, then encouraged, “You both must join us!”
Henrietta kept her face expressionless as she attempted to formulate a reason as to why she couldn’t join them.
As she opened her mouth to decline, Lord Charles interjected, “I would be happy to join you, assuming Miss Henrietta is willing to accompany me.”
She brought a smile to her face. “I shall be looking forward to it.” She was lying, of course. There was something about Lord Charles that unnerved her. She couldn’t quite figure out why that was, but it was safe to presume that the less time she spent around him, the better.
So why had she just agreed to spend more time with him?
3
“ITHINKI’M IN LOVE,”Brixton announced as soon as the coach began to roll away.
Charles gave his friend an exasperated look. “Isn’t it rather soon for such declarations?” he asked.
