“There is none,” Henrietta said, clasping her hands in her lap.
His eyes flickered with amusement. “Did you tell your parents about our plan?”
She shook her head. “I did not.”
“Why was that?”
“Frankly, I haven’t found a good time to discuss it with them,” Henrietta said. “Now that Mr. Drew is here, I’m afraid it will be much more difficult.”
“I agree with that sentiment, especially since they are hoping you will marry him.”
“I have no desire to marry my cousin.”
“Have you told your parents that?”
She nodded. “I have, but they are concerned that I will become a spinster because of my tattered reputation.”
“With any luck, our ruse will work, and you will be the belle of the ball next year, assuming that is what you desire.”
“Of course I desire that,” Henrietta declared. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Lord Charles gave her a knowing look. “Because you previously informed me that you don’t like to be the center of attention.”
“That may be true, but I do not wish to be overlooked, either.”
“Do you often get overlooked?”
She released a sigh. “I do,” she replied. “My sister often overshadows me, and, at times, I feel like a mere afterthought to my parents.”
“Why do you allow that?”
“There is nothing that can be done about it,” she said, shrugging.
“Have you spoken to your parents about this?”
“I have not, and there is no good that would come of it,” Henrietta said. “Besides, after Marjorie is married, I shall have my parents’ full attention.”
“Why can’t you have it now?”
“I am not the eldest child.”
“Neither am I, but I did not lack attention from my mother or father.”
Henrietta shifted her gaze away from his. “Perhaps it might be that you are not a grand disappointment to them.”
“Is that how you feel?”
“My whole life I have moved from one mishap to another,” she murmured. “It is a wonder they haven’t hidden me away from polite society.”
“You may think your antics are a hardship, but I think they are what makes you special,” Lord Charles said. “From the moment I saw you sitting in that tree, I knew that you were different than the other young women of theton.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No,” he replied quickly. “It is quite refreshing, actually.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
Lord Charles’s eyes held compassion. “I do not have very many friends—”
