She turned her attention towards the people riding along Rotten Row. She couldn’t help but notice that all eyes seemed to be on her, and she saw disapproval on many of their faces. Her back remained straight as she tried to pretend that the scrutiny was not affecting her. But it was.
Lord Charles’s voice broke through her musings. “Whatever is the matter?”
Henrietta brought her gaze to meet his. “Everyone is staring at me.”
His eyes roamed over Rotten Row. “Let them stare.”
“That is easy for you to say because they aren’t staring at you,” she said, wringing her hands together.
“I have no doubt they are staring at you and wondering how I convinced such a beautiful woman to accompany me on a carriage ride.”
A smile broke through her lips. “I don’t believe that is it.”
“Then what could it possibly be?”
“Perhaps we took a carriage ride through Hyde Park too soon,” Henrietta said. “We could have started by attending the opera this evening.”
“No,” he responded with a shake of his head. “This is perfect. Now everyone knows that we are starting to form an attachment with one another.”
“I do hope your reputation will not suffer as a result of it.”
He gave her a chiding look. “I believe I already instructed you to not concern yourself with that.”
“You did, but—”
“Trust me,” he said, speaking over her. “I care more about what the honorable thing to do is than my reputation.”
“You are too kind.”
He leaned forward in his seat and reached for her hand. “You must do something for me,” he said, his eyes meeting hers.
“Anything.”
“You don’t know what I am going to ask for.”
“I am sure it will be a reasonable request.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I have yet to hear anything outlandish from you.”
“Then you don’t know me well enough,” he teased.
“May I ask what your request is?”
Lord Charles brought her gloved hand up to his lips, causing her to wonder what he was about. “I want you to refrain from falling in love with me.”
“Pardon?” Had she heard him correctly?
As he lowered her hand, he said, “We will be spending time together, and I don’t want you to go and foolishly fall in love with me.”
Henrietta yanked back on her hand, but he didn’t release it. “I assure you that won’t be an issue, my lord.”
“I am pleased to hear that,” he said.
“Dear heavens, does your cockiness have no bounds?”
He released her hand and sat back, a dashing smile playing on his lips. “I just want to ensure there is no confusion between us.”
