Charles nodded. “I do,” he replied. “They can be quite cruel, which is why I don’t wish to abandon Miss Henrietta at this time.”
Roswell eyed him curiously. “Is there a particular reason why?”
“I consider Miss Henrietta a friend, and I think it would be doing her a disservice if I distance myself.”
“A gentleman cannot just be friends with an unmarried woman.”
“That is not true.”
“It would be different if Miss Henrietta was a dear friend of the family, but she is not,” Roswell pressed. “Which makes me wonder if you have developed feelings for this girl.”
Charles shook his head vehemently. “I do not have feelings for Miss Henrietta.”
“No?”
“She is a delightful enough young woman, but I can assure you that I do not hold Miss Henrietta in high regard.”
“I am glad to hear that,” Roswell said. “We wouldn’t wish to court scandal by you paying her any heed.”
“You do not need to worry on that account.”
Roswell reached for his teacup. “Was Miss Henrietta injured?” He took a sip of his drink.
“No, thankfully not.”
“I am pleased to hear that,” Roswell said, returning his teacup to the saucer. “I have known a few men who were injured when they were upended off their horse.”
“She acted quite admirably during the whole ordeal, and she didn’t turn into a simpering miss.”
“That is praiseworthy in and of itself.”
“I agree,” Charles said, picking up his fork. “I just wish that no one had witnessed her falling off her horse.”
“You were in Hyde Park,” Roswell pointed out. “That is the place to be seen.”
“But we weren’t there during the fashionable hour.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Charles took a bite of his food and chewed thoughtfully. After he swallowed, he said, “I hope this scandal passes by quickly. Miss Henrietta does not deserve this ill treatment.”
“It won’t until another scandal comes our way,” Roswell remarked. “At least you came out relatively unscathed.”
“Lucky me,” Charles muttered.
“What is the matter?” Roswell questioned.
Charles placed his fork down and met his brother’s gaze. “Have you ever wanted to beat thetonat their own game?”
“How do you propose to do that?”
“I am not sure, but there must be a way.”
Roswell frowned. “You do not want to take on members of Society,” he advised. “They will eat you alive.”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence.”
“I’m afraid it is true,” Roswell said.
