“What fun,” Marjorie said.
Mr. Drew smiled. “It was rather enjoyable, and I beat your father soundly at cards.”
Her father chuckled in the doorway. “I contend that isn’t entirely true,” he said as he escorted his wife into the room. “I did hold my own on a few hands against you.”
“That you did,” Mr. Drew agreed.
With a smile, her mother asked, “Shall we adjourn to dinner?”
12
SITTING ATOP HIS HORSE,Charles rode side by side with Henrietta down a path in Hyde Park. He glanced behind him and saw Mr. Drew and Marjorie trailing behind them. He had hoped to have some time alone with Henrietta, but Mr. Drew had been adamant about accompanying them.
Henrietta followed his gaze. “I’m not quite sure why Mr. Drew was so insistent on joining us today,” she commented.
Charles had a pretty good idea of why that was, but he didn’t want to upset Henrietta by sharing his views. It would be best to pretend that Mr. Drew’s presence did not bother him, even though it did. He wanted to explore his growing attraction to Henrietta, and he didn’t want anyone to stand in his way.
“It is quite all right,” Charles lied.
Henrietta brought her gaze back to meet his. “Has your company acquired any more antiquities?”
“They have not,” he replied, “but I have been busy writing articles about the relics that have been found on the beach in Whitley Bay.”
“How I envy you that you are free to pursue your passions.”
Charles heard the wistful tone in her voice, and it compelled him to act. “If you would like, I would be happy to give you a tour of our warehouse,” he said. “It is where we store the antiquities we secure until we find a buyer.”
A bright smile came to her face, which was precisely the outcome he had been hoping for. “I would love that.”
“Then I shall see to it.”
“Thank you, Charles.”
“You are most kindly welcome.” He was secretly pleased at hearing his name on her lips.
With a glance over her shoulder at her sister, Henrietta shared, “I went on the most boring carriage ride through Hyde Park yesterday with my sister and Lord Featherstone.”
“Is that so?”
“He spent the entire time talking about hunting, and I learned a great deal about pheasants,” she replied. “Did you know that gamekeepers thin out the population of vermin, such as foxes and magpies, to protect pheasants for the shooters?”
“I did know that,” he responded. “After all, we employ a gamekeeper on our estate, as well.”
“Frankly, I found the information to be rather useless,” Henrietta said. “I do wish my sister wouldn’t continue to show favor to Lord Featherstone. I still contend that she is much more suited for Lord Brixton.”
Charles gave her a pointed look. “Did Lord Featherstone flirt with you again?”
“He did not. He acted like a perfect gentleman around my sister.” She sighed. “Whenever Lord Brixton and my sister are together, they chat incessantly. But it is not the same when she is with Lord Featherstone.”
“Then why is she encouraging him?”
“Frankly, I fear that she is far more interested in becoming a countess than she is about Lord Featherstone.”
“I believe that is commonplace amongst the women in Society,” he said. “Are you interested in acquiring a title?”
Henrietta shook her head. “I am not,” she replied. “I am far more interested in falling in love with a man of my choosing.”
“That pleases me to hear.”
