“I am well,” she lied.
To her surprise, he pressed her on the matter. “I would prefer the truth, if you don’t mind.”
“Why do you suppose I’m not telling you the truth?”
“Your accident was featured in the society page, and your Season may very well be ruined.”
She pursed her lips together. “I wouldn’t say that it is ruined,” she muttered.
“No?” Lord Charles questioned as he led her outside. “What would you consider it, then?”
Henrietta briefly acknowledged the footman who followed them onto the veranda to stand watch. They stepped onto the footpath, and she found herself admitting, “You are right. I have had better days.”
“I assumed as much.”
“Did you come here to gloat?” she asked, removing her hand from his sleeve.
“Why would you think I came here to gloat?”
“I don’t rightly know,” she replied. “It just seems everyone has something to say on the matter.”
Lord Charles stopped on the footpath, his boots grinding on the gravel as he turned to face her. “I came here because I believe I have found a solution to your problem.”
“Which is?”
“We pretend to form an attachment,” he said. “It would give those busybodies something else to discuss, and with any luck, they will forget about the incident in Hyde Park.”
“Why would you do such a thing for me?”
Lord Charles’s eyes sparked with compassion as he watched her. “I feel awful for what transpired in Hyde Park, and I want to make it right.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“That may be true, but I am loyal to my friends.”
“We are friends?” she asked, feeling buoyed by his words.
“I assumed we were,” he replied, looking unsure. “Did I presume too much?”
Henrietta shook her head. “No, you did not.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
They stared at one another for a long moment, and before it grew awkward, she asked, “How does one form a pretend attachment?”
“We spend more time together and pretend that we enjoy one’s company.”
“That shouldn’t be too hard.”
“I agree,” Lord Charles responded. “After all, I have enjoyed spending time with you already.”
“You have?”
He smiled. “I don’t know why you sound surprised.”
“I do apologize,” she said. “I’m afraid I am out of sorts today.”
“That would make sense, given the circumstances.”
