“Would you care to discuss it?”
“I am trying to avoid my cousin Mr. Drew,” Henrietta replied as she set her book on the side table.
“Why is that?”
“We both know he is here under the assumption that we are to be wed.”
As Abigail walked over to the armoire, she said, “Then you should tell him where you stand.”
“My mother would be furious.”
“That may be true, but wouldn’t it be better if you didn’t give your cousin false hope for a future together?”
Henrietta nodded. “You make an excellent point.”
Abigail removed a blue gown with three tiers of ruffles that ran along the bottom and held it up for her inspection. “I thought this gown would look splendid for your carriage ride with Lord Charles today.”
“I would agree.” Henrietta tossed the covers off her and placed her feet over the side of the bed. “I believe I am being rather foolish to want to hide out in my bedchamber all day.”
“That you are.”
Henrietta rose. “I have decided that I will quickly eat breakfast and depart for a ride through Hyde Park.”
Abigail returned the gown to the armoire and pulled out the blue riding habit. “Then we should get you dressed.”
“With any luck, no one is in the breakfast parlor yet.”
A short time later, Henrietta departed from her bedchamber with neatly coiffed hair and headed towards the breakfast parlor. The hour was still early, so she hoped she would be dining alone. Unfortunately, she was not so lucky.
Mr. Drew rose from his chair. “Good morning, Miss Henrietta.”
“Good morning,” she replied as she waved him back down. “I must admit that I am surprised that you are awake at this early hour.”
“I am generally awake at this hour. There is too much to be done during the day, and I like to get an early start.” He glanced at her, his expression curious. “Do you normally rise at this hour?”
“Sometimes,” she replied. “I find riding in the morning is a great way to start one’s day.”
“I must agree with you there.” Mr. Drew gestured at the buffet table. “Would you like me to fill a plate for you?”
“That is a kind offer, but that won’t be necessary.” She walked over to the buffet table and a footman extended her a plate. She put two pieces of toast on it and sat down across from Mr. Drew.
An uncomfortable silence descended over the room as they ate their food, but Henrietta felt no desire to fill it with idle chatter. This encounter was precisely what she had wished to avoid.
After she finished her first piece of toast, Mr. Drew cleared his throat. “It is shaping up to be a lovely day today,” he said.
“That it is,” she agreed.
Mr. Drew eyed her curiously. “Are you as uncomfortable as I am right now?”
She looked at him in surprise. “Pardon?”
“I think we both know the reason for my visit, and I believe we should discuss it,” Mr. Drew stated.
Henrietta wiped the crumbs off her hands, then said, “I do appreciate your candor, and I would like to have honesty between us.”
“I would like that as well.”
Meeting his gaze, she said, “But if you must know, I have no intention of marrying you.”
