AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I as well. Only…” Her face flamed crimson. “I received a letter from him this morning, telling me that he’d discovered the truth, and ending our association, so I did not have a chance to see him before the ball tonight. And when he approached me and started talking of fulfilling my wager...I could not help myself.”
“Be that as it may, you’ll be black marked at Almack’s for a good while, I should think. And as for mother and father...I’d advise you to walk softly, and for heaven’s sake don’t contact the man until he sends a message to you, or until father’s temper has cooled enough for him to send the invitation himself.”
The thought of not even writing Daniel for an unknown number of days made her heart ache, but she knew Andrew’s words were sensible. She sighed and folded her hands together. “I suppose I should go and speak with them.”
“True enough. Come along.” Andrew stood aside to let her exit her room, closing the door softly before escorting her to the family parlor.
Both her parents were seated, side by side in the tall chairs that were rarely used unless they were entertaining close friends, or dealing out punishment, which they had not done for some time. Henrietta swallowed against the leaden feeling in her stomach.
Strange, how one’s parents can make one feel like a child, even when one is a woman grown.
She went without question or complaint and settled into the chair facing both her parents, while Andrew took up a position near the door.
“Explain yourself.” Two words, delivered with all the crushing disappointment that her mother was capable of.
“I apologize for my improper behavior, and for causing you embarrassment by making a scene in public.”
“A scene?” The thunderous, deep anger in her father’s voice made her struggle not to flinch. “You get into a public argument with the Marquess of Salisbury, and at his first public appearance of the Season, no less. And then you dare to interfere in a betrothal between the Marquess and Baron Darnell’s daughter. He’s threatening action if we don’t make reparation for the insult.”
“I will write a note of apology to Baron Darnell in the morning. Although...Eva did refuse the Marquess’ suit…”
“That hardly excuses your outburst, and in the middle of Almack’s and the dance floor. Nor does it explain what association you have with the Marquess. For association there clearly is, a matter I find most curious, as the Marquess has not been attending the events of the Season.” The frigid tone that accompanied her mother’s soft words made her wince and clench her hands in her lap.
It was tempting to say they had met at the Duchess of Merriweather’s masquerade ball, and it was true in a sense, but she had no doubt her mother would be aware she was not speaking the whole truth.
“Henrietta…” The warning was clear.
“I had heard the Marquess was of an artistic temperament. So, I visited his estate to see if perchance it was true. Eva had made mention of desiring a romantic connection with someone, and as she had not yet found a match among the men of the ton, I thought he might suit. Only, I had heard that he had many female visitors, most attempting to engage him in scandal to force his hand in matrimony. I did not wish him to think I was of a similar mind, so I did not tell him my name.”
“And?”
“And we spoke, and I was invited back to his estate. He is indeed an artist, and he asked if I might serve as a model for some of his work…”
“He did what?” Her father’s face flushed crimson. “He…”
“It was nothing untoward, father.” Well, that was a blatant lie, but she hurried her tale onward, in hopes that neither of her parents would pursue that particular avenue of questions. “And he can hardly be accused of impropriety. I did not tell him then, nor in the following days, who I truly was. I believe he thought I was a recently dismissed maid from some household or another.”
“Did he lay a hand on you?”
“He was a perfect gentleman. It is only that we became well-acquainted while he was working. I had intended to tell him the truth before tonight and see if he held me in the same affection I feel for him. But I did not get a chance, and he somehow learned my identity through other means. And of my penchant for acting as a matchmaker. He was...quite upset, and that is what led to...this evening.”
“Indeed. Perhaps I might see if I understand you right.” Her mother’s finger tapped lightly on the arm of her chair, a habit she only indulged in when she was very displeased. “On a whim, you visited an unmarried man of unknown character without a proper chaperon, allowed yourself to be placed in a precarious position both in terms of reputation and actual propriety, while perpetrating a falsehood that a single glimpse by any other member of the ton would surely have brought to an end. And then, when the ruse was finally discovered and your whimsical ideas made clear, you decided to interfere in the very match you set out to arrange, and to do so in the most public and inappropriate setting and manner possible. Is that the way of it?”
“I...I suppose it is.” She clenched her hands. “I am sorry for it...but...even so, I could not deny my feelings for the Marquess.”
“You had best hope he has similar feelings, or at least more honor, honesty, and sense than you have displayed.” Her father’s tone was forbidding. “Until this matter is settled, you will not be leaving this house. You will leave your rooms only for meals and with our express permission. You will send correspondence only with our permission, or to explain your circumstances and decline any invitations you receive.” He did not say how unlikely such invitations would be, but his expression made it clear enough.
It was not an unexpected sentence, nor an overly harsh one. She bowed her head in acquiescence. “And my apology to Baron Darnell and his daughter?”
“It will be sent promptly, as your first order of business in the morning.”
“Second, I think.” Her mother’s tone was considering. “Your first order of business will be to send for your maid and her husband. He is one of our carriage grooms, I believe. You will have them report to you, after which you will bring them to us.”
Henrietta bit her lip, keeping her head bowed as she gave her agreement. Inside, she felt cold.
Her mother was no fool. No doubt she had put together the frequent ‘shopping’ trips of the past several days, and Henrietta’s request for Sarah’s assistance with the time required to enact a ruse of being a model for the Marquess, as well as the need for a carriage and driver in order to get to and from the Salisbury country seat.
“You are dismissed.” Her father’s tone had not lost its heaviness, and she had no doubt that it would not until he had determined the damage to his reputation and his business prospects.
