Mr. Drew’s horse came to a stop next to hers. “You did,” he said. “I would be remiss if I did not compliment you on your superb riding skills.”
“Thank you,” she responded, pleased by his words.
Mr. Drew’s eyes roamed over the fields. “I can see why some people might prefer London, but I believe it pales in comparison to living in the countryside.”
“I agree with you.”
“You do?”
Henrietta nodded. “I find the stringent rules here to be exhausting,” she said. “The countryside is much more to my liking.”
“I am pleased to hear you say that.”
She glanced at him. “May I ask you a question?”
“You may.”
“Why were you so curt with Lord Charles yesterday in the drawing room?”
He gave her a puzzled look. “I didn’t realize I was.”
“That is a relief,” Henrietta said. “Lord Charles even implied that you might have been jealous that he was taking me on a carriage ride.”
“That was foolishness on his part.”
“I agree,” she responded. “I explained your purpose for being here and—”
He spoke over her. “Do you think it wise to take him into your confidence?”
“I do,” she replied. “I trust Lord Charles.”
Mr. Drew looked displeased by her remarks. “I would be cautious with Lord Charles.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Has he even confessed his intentions towards you?”
Henrietta shook her head. “It isn’t like that,” she replied. “We are just friends, nothing more.”
“Unmarried men and women cannot be friends,” Mr. Drew said. “Surely someone has told you that by now.”
“That isn’t true.”
Mr. Drew adjusted the reins in his hands. “It has been my experience that one always develops feelings for the other, ruining the friendship in the process.”
“It isn’t like that with me and Lord Charles.”
“How can you be so sure?”
It was on the tip of Henrietta’s tongue to reveal their plan, but she hesitated. For some reason she didn’t feel it would be wise to do so. Instead, she said, “You must trust me on this.”
“I trust you, but I do not trust Lord Charles’s intentions.”
Henrietta decided a change in the conversation would be for the best, so she asked a question that she hoped would bring a smile to Mr. Drew’s face. “Will you tell me more about Rebecca?”
“Who?”
She grinned. “The girl you have an understanding with.”
