“No, she does not.”
A short time later, Henrietta departed from her bedchamber and headed towards the drawing room on the main level. She was about to descend the stairs when Mr. Drew suddenly appeared by her side, startling her.
“Good evening,” he greeted.
She smiled. “You have the stealth of a ninja.”
“A ninja?”
“I read a book about them,” she shared. “They originated in Japan and are known for their surreptitiousness and ingenuity.”
“Is a ninja the same as a samurai?”
“No, they are quite different,” she remarked. “Samurai were from a higher class, whereas ninjas were recruited mostly from lower classes. Furthermore, Samurai fought for their lords and ninjas were mercenaries.”
He gave her a baffled look. “Yet, you compared me to a ninja,” he said. “Do you believe I have nefarious intentions towards you?”
Henrietta laughed. “Good heavens, no,” she replied. “I was just commenting on how you were able to sneak up on me unnoticed.”
“I can assure you that it was not difficult.” He offered his arm towards her. “May I escort you to the drawing room?”
“You may,” she replied, accepting his arm.
As they descended the stairs, Mr. Drew glanced over at her and said, “I find the size of your library to be quite impressive.”
“My parents may not approve of most of my antics, but they do encourage my love for reading,” she shared.
“That is thoughtful of them.”
She grew quiet. “I know my parents mean well when it comes to me, but sometimes it doesn’t come across that way.”
He gave her a knowing look. “Like when they attempt to arrange a marriage for you.”
“Precisely.”
Mr. Drew started leading her across the entry hall, then said, “Although, I don’t believe we would have made a terrible match. We do get along quite nicely.”
“That we do,” Henrietta admitted, “but we are still cousins.”
“We are second cousins,” he corrected. “Besides, it isn’t unheard of to marry your second cousin.”
They stepped into the drawing room, and Henrietta slipped her hand off Mr. Drew’s sleeve. “I still want a say in who I marry,” she contended.
“As well you should,” Mr. Drew said as he walked over to the drink cart.
Henrietta sat down on the camelback settee. “When do you intend to tell your parents the truth about Rebecca?”
Mr. Drew picked up the decanter and poured himself a drink. “I don’t rightly know.”
“You mustn’t wait forever.”
Setting the decanter back down, Mr. Drew picked up the glass. “My parents will be disappointed when they learn that things didn’t work out between us.”
“As will my parents.”
Mr. Drew took a sip of his drink. “I’m not entirely sure that is true.”
“Why do you say that?”
