“Nonsense,” her mother asserted. “You are family, and we only just began eating.”
Mr. Drew gave her a grateful smile as he went and sat down in the chair. A footman promptly came and placed a table setting in front of him.
With a smile, Mr. Drew glanced over at Henrietta and asked, “How are you faring this evening, Miss Henrietta?”
“I am well,” she replied, hoping she sounded cordial enough. “Thank you for asking.”
Mr. Drew shifted his gaze back to her mother. “I see where your daughters get their beauty, Lady Finsbury.”
Her mother beamed. “That is kind of you to say.”
“How was your ride into Town?” her father asked.
“Uneventful,” Mr. Drew replied as a bowl of soup was placed in front of him. “I rode straight through so I wouldn’t arrive too late.”
“That was wise,” her mother acknowledged. “You wouldn’t want to ride at night for fear of highwaymen.”
“It is true,” Mr. Drew responded. “My coach will follow tomorrow with my valet and trunks.”
“I will speak to our butler about securing you a valet until yours arrives,” her father said.
“I would greatly appreciate that.”
Her mother wiped the sides of her mouth with her napkin. “I feel as if I already know you from your mother’s letters,” she said. “I understand that you are an avid hunter.”
“I am,” Mr. Drew replied. “We are most fortunate to have our lands well stocked with wildlife. I daresay that I do favor deerstalking, though.”
Henrietta reached for her glass. “I do not see the allure of sitting in the brush and waiting to kill a majestic animal. That doesn’t seem like much of a sport to me.”
Her mother shot her a disapproving look, indicating that she should behave.
Mr. Drew shifted in his seat to face her. “After we kill the deer, no part of it goes to waste,” he explained. “The meat feeds not only my household, but our neighbors who are struggling with putting food on their table.”
“I hadn’t realized,” Henrietta said, returning her glass to the table.
“The antlers are used to create buttons, or used as awls,” Mr. Drew continued. “Furthermore, the hide is used for blankets and clothing for the children in our village.”
“That is most thoughtful of you,” Henrietta acknowledged.
“I do not tell you these things to boast, but to make you aware,” he said. “There is a great responsibility that comes with being given much, and I take my role most seriously.”
Her mother interjected, “Well said, Mr. Drew.”
Mr. Drew turned his attention back towards his soup and took a sip. “This soup is divine,” he acknowledged. “I shall have to get the recipe from your cook before I depart.”
Henrietta snuck a glance at Mr. Drew as he ate his soup. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of him, but she would be mindful to proceed with caution around him.
With the early morning sun streaming into her windows, Henrietta leaned her back against the wall as she read a book in bed. She wasn’t quite ready to face Mr. Drew yet. Perhaps, if she were lucky, she could hide in her bedchamber all day without anyone noticing her absence. But she knew that wouldn’t be likely.
By all accounts, Mr. Drew didn’t appear to be a terrible person. He had been warm and engaging throughout dinner and had even made a rousing partner when they played card games afterward. However, she knew why he was here, and he would be leaving disappointed.
A soft knock came at the door, breaking through her musings.
“Enter,” she ordered.
The door opened and her lady’s maid stepped into the room. “Good morning,” Abigail greeted. “You are up rather early this morning.”
Henrietta closed her book. “I’m afraid I have a lot on my mind.”
