The Most Eligible Bride in London, page 15
The only color in the young woman’s pale face was bruising around her eyes and on her left cheek. If it hadn’t been so important to get her away, he’d go back and show the blackguard how it felt to be beaten by someone stronger.
Fear widened her bright-blue eyes. “Meebe I should go back.”
“Don’t you even think about it.” Mrs. Perriman put an arm around the woman’s shoulders. “You and your child will be safe from now on. We’ll make sure of it.”
It wasn’t until then that he took a good look at the child as she sucked her thumb. She had her mother’s big blue eyes, and blond curls surrounding her chubby face. She was a beautiful little girl and couldn’t be more than three or four years old. Nate’s spine felt as if cold fingers were pressing down on it. He did not wish to know what was being sold for ten pounds.
Hank drove the coach east for several streets before heading north and back toward the west. It was probably a good idea not to go directly to Phoenix Society. He pulled up on a side street near the Phoenix Society, and Mrs. Perriman opened the coach door. “Mr. Meadows, you may retrieve your horse. I am going to take these two to safety.”
“If you’re certain you do not need my assistance any longer.” He really did not like to abandon them.
“I am sure. We are going out of London. Please tell Toby I will be back tomorrow.”
Not able to do anything else, Nate bowed. “As you wish.”
He closed the door and strode down what looked like an old mews until he found Toby with Darragh. “Thank you for taking such good care of him.” Nate removed the hat and coat, placing them on a chair, then handed the boy a shilling.
A broad smile appeared on the boy’s face. “I woulda done it for noth’en. Thank you.”
He ruffled Toby’s hair. This was one child who was safe from harm. “But it’s worth it to me, and you did a good job.” Nate swung onto his horse. “Mrs. Perriman said she’ll be back tomorrow.” He didn’t like leaving the lad by himself. “You could come to my house until she returns.”
“No, thank ye. Tim will be back soon. I’ll tell him what Mrs. Perriman said.” Toby ran off toward a gate, opened it, and slipped through. Once the gate closed, Nate could hear a lock slide shut.
He had forgotten about the older boy. He wanted to take his time riding home, but the lamplighters were already at work, and he’d have to bathe and change before dinner. The many church bells of the London area rang the time, and he urged his horse into a trot. The rescue had gone quickly, but it was later than he’d thought. It wasn’t until he reached home that he had the opportunity to consider what Miss Stern had thought of him going off to assist the Phoenix Society. She had to have known Toby. Nate might not be skilled at small talk anymore, but he hoped she would think what he’d done more important.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The following day Nate joined Exeter and Turley for lunch at Brooks’s. A bill in which Nate was interested was coming up for a vote the following day, and he planned to be present for it. Tomorrow would be the first time he’d set foot in the Lords in four long years.
Later that afternoon he accompanied Mama to Lady Thornhill’s salon. And he was once again struck by how his mother had changed in the past few years. Lord and Lady Thornhill were famously liberal, and eccentric, and not at all the type of people Mama had counted as her friends in the past. Nate remembered being alarmed that Merton had visited the salon; now Nate was strolling up the steps with his mother about to enter what he had once termed a “den of subversives.” He grinned to himself. Finally, he would be able to see what all the fuss was about.
A very proper butler answered the door and guided them to a large drawing room where a tall lady—dressed in what appeared to be long pieces of embroidered silk wrapped around her—stood chatting to new arrivals.
He bent his head so his mother would be the only one who could hear him. “What is she wearing?”
“I believe it is called a sari. It is from India.” Mama smiled and held out her hands to Lady Thornhill. “What a pleasure to see you in Town so early.”
Her ladyship returned the smile. “We did not go abroad this year. Both my daughters and one of my daughters-in-law decided to add to their families. Because of that, we have traveled the length and breadth of England.” She briefly closed her eyes as she shook her head, then smiled broadly. “However, they all did an excellent job of it. I have two new grandsons and an adorable new granddaughter. Of course, they are all endearing at that age, but we have been waiting for a girl.”
“Excellent.” His mother drew him forward. “I would like to make my son known to you.”
Lady Thornhill lifted a quizzing glass that hung on a chain around her neck and focused it on Nate. “I must say I approve.” She dropped the quizzer. “I’m glad you have finally decided to come to Town.”
Nate bowed. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, my lady, and to attend one of your salons.”
She waved her arm in a sweeping motion to indicate the rest of her guests, who were gathered in groups. “No matter your interests, I’m sure you will find those whose conversation you will find stimulating.”
“Thank you, my lady.” He backed away as her ladyship turned to his mother and started talking.
He surveyed the room, and didn’t recognize anyone present. Therefore, the only way to find conversation that interested him was to go from group to group. Footmen circulated with drinks and food. Nate supposed that was Lady Thornhill’s way of encouraging her guests to continue talking. He approached several men who were heatedly discussing something and listened.
“I tell you, his painting of the shipwreck has been accepted by the Paris Salon.” The speaker, a man with a heavy French accent, tossed off a glass of wine.
“I don’t believe it.” A second man sneered. “Géricault has studied with no one important.”
“Nevertheless,” the third member of the circle was clearly part of the gentry, “it is a fact. I received a letter about it just the other day. I plan to travel back to Paris for the Salon.”
Nate ambled past the men. Although he enjoyed viewing good art, he was neither an artist nor a connoisseur, and he had no idea who the artist in question was. A few steps away five gentlemen and four ladies were discussing philosophy. He heard Wollstonecraft’s name mentioned and listened for a few minutes as one of the ladies argued that the property of a female should rightfully belong to her even after marriage. Considering the gathering, he was surprised at the vociferous argument made against the idea. Nate took a pastry from one footman and a glass of claret from another as he listened. He almost missed the one lady’s sharp retort when he bit into the pastry and found it was filled with meat instead of being a sweet. It was like a pasty, but with puff pastry instead of a piecrust.
“And that is the very reason I will never wed a gentleman who does not agree that I may keep my own property,” a second lady proclaimed. “Especially now that I have my own wealth.”
As he strolled on, Miss Stern came to mind. She would no doubt agree with the ladies when it came to property. He’d never considered the matter before, but now that he did, why should a female, especially one with wealth, become a beggar to her husband after marriage? In the past he would have said because that was the way it had always been. Yet now, he wasn’t at all certain he believed that. He had seen how women could well handle the purse strings. His own mother was an excellent example. How many other things had he taken for granted as some custom or practice that should be accepted simply due to the fact that it had always been that way? He remembered visiting an experimental farm in Norfolk and returning with new ideas, and having to prove to his tenants that the new way was better that what they had been doing. How strange that he’d been changing how he thought about the old ways and never even knew it before.
After finishing the pastry, he began to go by another group when a lady’s hand stopped him. “Fotherby”—he’d completely forgotten his mother was here—“would you come with me, please? There are two people I would like you to meet.”
“Yes, of course.” He felt his brows draw together on their own accord. “Mama, do we have a copy of A Vindication of the Rights of Women in our library?”
Her eyes widened. “Um, yes. Yes, we do. What do you intend to do with it?”
“What?” What did she think he’d do? “Read it. I just heard an argument regarding a woman’s property and I wish to read her arguments on the matter.”
“I see.” She patted his arm. “I will fetch it for you when we return home. Here we are. Duchess, may I present my son?”
Ah, Lady Fitzwilliam, better known as the Duchess of Bristol. He should not be surprised she was here. Seeing her next to Miss Stern intensified the resemblance between her, her grandmother, and her sister. The duchess’s eyes twinkled as she inclined her head. “Fotherby. I can see why your mother is so pleased with you.”
“Your grace.” He bowed, but was perplexed by her statement. He had made a mull of their last meeting. Next to her, Miss Stern gazed at him, but her expression told him nothing.
“Henrietta,” the duchess said. “Shall I introduce Lord Fotherby to you, or have you previously made his acquaintance?”
“We have met.” Miss Stern held out her hand. He took it and bowed.
“Excellent. I believe you might have a great deal in common.” The duchess smiled like a cat with a bowl of cream.
The problem was now that he held Miss Stern’s fingers in his palm, he did not want to give them back. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Stern.”
“I am glad you are here.” She glanced around. “It is a little thin of company. Are you having an entertaining time?”
“I am.” He realized that his polite answer was the truth. “I’ve been listening to some interesting discussions.”
The corners of her lips tipped up, and her eyes reflected the smile. “But you have not joined any of them.”
“No. I fear I don’t yet have the requisite knowledge.” He was still holding her hand, and Nate decided to keep it unless she let him know she wanted it back. “However, I intend to remedy my lack of understanding.” He grinned. “Now, if you can show me a circle that is discussing agriculture, I am more than able to hold my own.”
Her smile widened. “Probably not this time, but as the Season draws closer, there will be one.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” He looked around. “Would you like to stroll around the room with me?”
“Go on, dear,” her grandmother said. “I wish to chat with my friends, and you would be in the way.”
That could only mean they intended to gossip about topics Henrietta was not supposed to know about. She almost rolled her eyes, but the laughter in Fotherby’s eyes let her know he understood. Her lips started to twitch as she held back her laughter.
At first Henrietta was surprised that her grandmother knew Fotherby’s mother. Then she was shocked that Grandmamma was willing to present him. But allowing—nay, encouraging—Henrietta to stroll with him was almost unbelievable good luck. The question was, should she? Would her sister view it as a betrayal? Before she could talk herself out of it, she said, “Yes, I would love to.”
He released her hand, but put it on his arm. She was not certain how she felt about that. She had liked the sensation of his strong fingers around hers. For some reason, his touch made her feel safe. Or maybe that was not the right word. “Effervescent” was more how he made her feel. No other gentleman’s touch made her skin tingle. Whatever that sensation was, she enjoyed it. So much so that she wished they were not wearing gloves.
Fotherby bent his head, and his warm breath caressed her ear. Henrietta stifled the sudden urge to take a sharp breath. “Perhaps you’ll be able to introduce me to some of the other guests. I don’t know any of them.”
“If there is anyone here I know.” She saw there was an addition to the usual group of artists who came to argue, eat, and drink. The gentleman dressed much better than did the others.
“I stopped to listen to them,” Fotherby said. “But they were discussing a French artist of whom I had no knowledge.”
“We shall pass them by. They can be entertaining at times, but mostly when they flirt.” Henrietta grinned up at him. “I don’t think you would be interested in that.”
“Not at all.” His tone was dry, but he did not seem to take it amiss that artists would flirt with young ladies.
Still, she did not particularly wish to be pulled into the artists’ conversation. “I must assume you began your last circuit on this side of the room. Rather than retrace your steps, let us start on the other side.”
“I like that idea.” He turned them around and they passed by her grandmother, his mother, and their friends.
They found one group discussing music, another debating poets, and four older men comparing their Grand Tours to their recent travel. Most of those present were her parents and grandmother’s age. “I do not see anyone I know.”
“I’m surprised there is no one discussing politics.”
“That is because the Lords is in session, and the other interested parties are not yet in Town.” She glanced up at him, once again struck by his blue-green eyes. They had to be the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. Henrietta led him to a window seat. If they were not interested in any of the other conversations, they could have their own. “Why did Toby come to fetch you yesterday?”
If he was startled by her question, he did not show it. “I went to see Mrs. Perriman to find out how the babe was doing and ended up offering to help when she needed it.” He gave Henrietta a rueful smile. “I did not, though, give her my current name. I told her I was Mr. Meadows. The name I had before I became a peer.”
“I assume you did that to avoid my sister and brother-in-law discovering you are in Town.”
“Yes. You might not think it was well done of me”—he paused and stared out the window for a few moments—“but I believe Merton will remember when I was Mr. Meadows. In any event I am attending a vote in the Lords tomorrow and shall probably see him then.”
Fotherby was a perfectly nice gentleman, and eligible if her family could forgive him. Then again, her grandmother apparently had pardoned him. “If he still doesn’t recognize you, will you make yourself known?”
“I don’t know. On one hand, he would not make a scene in public.” He grimaced. “On the other hand, he could give me the cut direct.”
That was very true, and it would cause a great deal of difficulty for Lord Fotherby. “I wonder what the best way to approach him would be.” Unfortunately, she had no idea. Even if he was not the gentleman for her, he did not deserve to be pilloried for the rest of his life for even extremely stupid behavior.
“Perhaps my mother or your grandmother will know.”
“Perhaps.” Henrietta’s curiosity about yesterday prodded her. “Who did you rescue?”
“A small child and her mother. A man, probably the one who had beaten the young woman, chased after us, shouting threats. The coachman took a roundabout route back to the house, and Mrs. Perriman had the coach pass by the mews, where I got out. She continued on. She wanted to get them out of London.”
“She most likely took them to the house in Richmond. It is far enough away they will be safe, but not so far that she could not travel back that evening.”
“That house has never done so much good. It sat empty for years before I was made to lease it to Merton.”
“That is your property?” Henrietta was shocked. She had never even thought about to whom it belonged. Yet, if she had, she would have believed either Merton or the Phoenix Society owned it.
Fotherby nodded. “Yes.” He gave a quick smile. “For my sins, I was to lease it to Merton for use as a home for widows, orphans, and who knows who else, for a period of ten years. But now, after seeing the good it is doing, I might just give it to the Phoenix Society.”
That was generous indeed. “You will not miss it?”
“How could I when I never truly used it? It was left to me by a relative.” He shrugged. “Houses shouldn’t sit vacant, and that’s what was happening.”
“I am certain the gift will be appreciated.” He smiled down at her, and she wanted to discover what, other than saving people, riding, and politics they had in common. “Are you looking forward to the Season?”
He took a breath and blew it out. “I don’t know. My only plan was to take things one day at a time and see what happened.” He flashed a grin, and Henrietta was again struck by how handsome he was, and how he did not appear to hide himself behind a polite mask. “My mother has put herself in charge of seeing that I am invited to the right entertainments and that I receive vouchers for Almack’s.”
Henrietta couldn’t stop from laughing. “You sound like any young lady making her come out.”
“I suppose I do.” He had a chagrined look on his face. “But I’m not young enough to fritter my time away while I’m here, and it is time I find a wife.”
“I had not thought of it that way for a gentleman. Exeter is the only gentleman of my acquaintance who was in dire need of a wife the moment he returned home.” She told Fotherby about Exeter being shocked that his two younger sisters had been left in his care because his mother had remarried and not taken the girls with her. “Even though Dorie did not originally wish to marry him, she came around. I always thought it would be a good match.”
“It sounds like it made the Season interesting.”
“You have no idea. Littleton and Adeline had their difficulties as well . . . and then we had Turley and Georgie dancing around each other until the autumn Season.” By the time she had relayed everyone’s stories, Fotherby was laughing.
“I had no idea a Season could be so entertaining. We must see what this one brings.”
“Yes, we should.” Except this time perhaps Henrietta would be the one who married. The only question was to which gentleman. After all, she had three prospects.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
As Nate listened to Miss Stern, he acquired a growing appreciation for the possible complications involved in finding a mate. Compared to her friends, Merton’s courtship and marriage to his wife seemed relatively straightforward. Or it would have been if it hadn’t been for Nate. He wondered if he could ever truly forgive himself for what he’d done. He thought he had, but it had become clear that he really hadn’t. If he could only bring himself to approach his former friend. He still had to summon the courage to do so. If he continued to court Miss Stern, the matter must be resolved sooner rather than later.
