Once they were all seated at the table, her mother turned her attention towards Henrietta. “How did your turn around the gardens go with Lord Charles?”
“It went well,” Henrietta replied vaguely. She hadn’t decided if she was going to tell her family about the plan that Lord Charles had proposed.
“Frankly, I am surprised that he is not distancing himself from you,” her mother said. “He comes from one of the most distinguished families amongst theton.”
“That he does,” her father chimed in. “His brother, Lord Bideford, has a lot of influence in the House of Lords.”
“What did you two speak about?” her mother pressed.
“He asked to take me on a carriage ride through Hyde Park tomorrow,” Henrietta shared as a footman placed a bowl of soup in front of her.
“What did you say?” Marjorie asked.
“I agreed to it,” Henrietta replied.
Her mother nodded in approval. “This is wonderful news,” she said. “Any association with Lord Charles is a boon to your tattered reputation.”
Henrietta picked up her spoon and began to eat her soup, hoping they would stop pestering her with questions. But she was not so lucky.
“What are you going to wear?” Marjorie asked.
“I was thinking a pair of trousers would suffice,” Henrietta joked.
Her father frowned. “That is not the least bit amusing,” he chided. “No respectable woman would wear trousers.”
“I do believe she was just joking, dear,” her mother defended. “Henrietta would never wear something so vulgar.”
“Then I do apologize for my harsh tone,” her father said.
Her mother glanced at Henrietta, her eyes tight and worried. “You were joking, weren’t you?”
“I was,” Henrietta replied.
“I am pleased to hear that,” her mother sighed. “I was thinking you could wear the new blue gown that was just delivered from the modiste.”
“I am not opposed to that,” Henrietta acknowledged.
An uncomfortable silence descended over the room as Walters stepped into the dining room. “I apologize for the intrusion, but Mr. Roger Drew has just arrived.”
Her father rose from the table and said, “I shall speak to him.”
As her father left the room, Henrietta’s mother turned towards her and gave her a stern look. “You will behave around Mr. Drew.”
“Why did you have to send for him?” Henrietta asked, keeping her voice low. “I have no intention of actually marrying the man.”
“You may discover that you have a lot in common with Mr. Drew.”
“How would you know that?” Henrietta asked. “You haven’t even met him.”
“That is true, but I have learned all that I need to know through the letters I receive from Deborah.”
Before Henrietta could respond, her father stepped back into the room with a short, stocky man with dark hair. He wasn’t unfortunate looking, having a strong jaw and straight nose, and she could see how some women might find him attractive. Unfortunately, she was not one of them.
Her father gestured as he provided the introductions. “Ladies, allow me to introduce you to Mr. Roger Drew. Mr. Drew, my wife, and my daughters, Marjorie and Henrietta.”
Her mother spoke up first. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you.” She gestured towards a chair next to her. “Why don’t you sit down next to Henrietta and join us for supper?”
Mr. Drew put his hand up. “I wouldn’t dare intrude.”
