“No?” Mr. Drew asked.
“In addition to being cousins, we are virtual strangers to one another.”
Mr. Drew leaned back in his chair. “That is most unfortunate,” he said. “My mother implied that you were a willing participant in all of this.”
“I am not,” Henrietta replied. “My parents were worried that I would remain a spinster for the remainder of my days and decided to arrange a marriage for me.”
“But aren’t you worried about becoming a spinster?”
“There are worse things.”
Mr. Drew frowned. “You mean being married to me.”
“I didn’t mean to imply that,” Henrietta rushed out. “I do apologize if I offended you.”
“No apology is necessary,” he said. “I appreciate your frankness. It is rather refreshing.”
“It is?”
Mr. Drew gave her a sheepish look. “I’m afraid I was apprehensive about a marriage between us, as well.”
“You were?”
He nodded. “You are a beautiful young woman, but we hardly know one another,” he said. “Besides, I have an understanding with someone back in our village.”
Reaching for her teacup, Henrietta asked, “Then why are you here?”
He smirked. “At my mother’s insistence,” he replied.
“Even though you have an understanding with another?”
“I haven’t told my parents about my intentions towards Rebecca yet.”
She set her teacup back down on the saucer. “Why is that?”
“Rebecca is the daughter of our vicar and is the granddaughter of a viscount,” Mr. Drew explained. “But she has no dowry.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Our estate is profitable, but my father feels a dowry would go a long way in helping to maintain our way of life,” he said.
“Do you feel the same?”
“He isn’t wrong, but I still intend to marry Rebecca.”
“Even if your parents are opposed to it?”
He pressed his lips together, then said, “I have no doubt they will be, which is why I have avoided the subject thus far.”
“I can see why.”
“Besides, my parents were rather excited to receive your mother’s letter,” he shared. “It wasn’t long after that I was traveling to London to meet you.”
“Why didn’t you tell your parents the truth then?”
“Why, indeed?” Mr. Drew asked. “I’m afraid I wasn’t ready yet for my secret to be revealed, which would have no doubt led to a confrontation with my parents.”
Henrietta gave him a weak smile. “I can understand that all too well.”
