“Why do you say that?”
“We hardly know one another.”
“That may be true,” he said. “I don’t know when I started falling in love with you, but I suspect it was from the first moment I met you.”
Henrietta glanced over at the door and asked, “Would it be possible if we had this conversation at a later time?”
“I am afraid I can’t wait to know if you return my affections.”
“What of Rebecca?” she asked. “I thought you two had an understanding.”
“We did, but she will understand that I had to follow my heart.”
Henrietta frowned. “I’m sorry, Mr. Drew, but I do not feel the same way as you do,” she said.
A pained look came to his face. “Could you not grow to care for me?”
“I don’t think I could,” she replied.
His lips pressed into a straight line. “Is this because of Lord Charles?”
“Why would you assume that?”
“I would be blind not to notice how you act around him,” he said, his words curt.
Henrietta tightened her hold on her sheets. “It would be best if we discussed this someplace other than my bedchamber.”
Mr. Drew rose from the bed. “I thought we got along rather nicely.”
“We do,” she replied.
“Then why will you not consider me as a suitor?”
“Because I think of you as family.”
His jaw clenched. “We were supposed to get married and unite our families,” he said. “You ruined everything.”
“I don’t believe that to be the case.”
“Do you know what I had to give up to be here?” he asked.
“I do not.”
“I dropped everything once my mother received your mother’s letter,” Mr. Drew informed her. “I rushed to be here with you.”
“I am sorry,” she attempted.
Mr. Drew started pacing. “Most importantly, your dowry is needed to improve the estate.”
Henrietta found herself growing increasingly agitated as Mr. Drew spoke. “I thought you had no intention of marrying me.”
“Bah,” he replied. “I was just buying myself time to woo you.”
“Did you even have an understanding with Rebecca?”
He stopped pacing. “I am fond of Rebecca, but we have no understanding. After all, she is just the vicar’s daughter, and you…” His voice trailed off.
“I am what?”
