“I invited Mr. Drew to Town for a visit,” her mother shared. “With any luck, he will be here within a few days and you two will discover how much you have in common.”
“Do you know Mr. Drew?” Henrietta asked.
Her mother shook her head. “I have not had the privilege of meeting him before.”
“Then how do you know we will suit?”
“He is looking for a bride, and you are looking for a husband,” her mother remarked, looking at her as if she were a simpleton.
Henrietta pushed back her chair and rose. “If you will excuse me, I’m afraid I have lost my appetite,” she said.
Her mother gave her a displeased look. “You must stop with these theatrics. It is in your best interest to accept any reasonable offer of marriage.” She lowered her voice. “Even if it is from someone who is only landed gentry.”
“I need a moment,” Henrietta said before she walked out of the room.
She couldn’t believe the audacity of her parents for attempting to arrange a marriage for her with her cousin. She refused to enter a marriage of convenience, no matter the consequences.
Charles stepped into the breakfast parlor and saw his brother sitting at the head of the table, reading the morning newspaper. “Good morning,” he greeted.
Roswell folded the paper and laid it on the table. “Good morning,” he replied. “I just finished reading the most interesting article.”
“Was it my article about the antique ring?” Charles asked as he stepped over to the buffet table.
“No, that one was quite dull.”
“I disagree,” Charles said, filling his plate with food. “It was riveting, and I have no doubt that the other members of the Society of Antiquaries enjoyed it.”
“Perhaps, but that is not what I wish to discuss.” Roswell waited until Charles sat down before continuing. “I am referring to the incident in Hyde Park yesterday.”
Charles groaned. “I had been hoping that would go unnoticed.”
“I’m afraid not,” Roswell said, “and your name is mentioned in the article.”
“It is?”
“I’m afraid so.”
Charles reached for the newspaper and turned to the Society page. As he perused the article, he found that it was riddled with inaccuracies. Poor Miss Henrietta, he thought. He had no doubt that she was devastated by this news.
He put the newspaper down, then said, “What transpired yesterday was nothing more than an unfortunate mishap.”
“I believe you, but reputations can be ruined by the simplest infractions.”
“Miss Henrietta’s horse was spooked by a snake and it reared up, causing her to be upended off the back of her horse,” Charles explained. “Nothing else happened.”
“And the part about you offering her comfort by placing your arm around her?”
“That never happened,” he said. “I escorted her to the bench and sat down next to her while we waited for the coach to arrive.”
“Regardless, it might be best if you avoided Miss Henrietta for a few days.”
“Why is that?”
“She is the latest scandal.”
“It was hardly a scandal,” Charles muttered.
“I am well aware, but you know how unforgiving thetoncan be.”
