Odd. “Where is Lord Rigsby?” Another personage she dearly wished to avoid. He would reject her plan and charm her with soft words and softer kisses. She’d relent, and then she’d lose everything but him.
Her father’s business, her family, her own reputation—all ruined in the wake of the scandal.
The servant blinked, shifting from foot to foot. “Outside with her grace and the Lady Willow.”
The two people she least wanted to see were exactly where she headed. But it must be done. She’d need to have nerves of steel the rest of her life if she were to be in the same room, the same city as Grayson and not be his wife. She’d start practicing now.
Henrietta pulled back the heavy curtain hiding a window in the entryway and peeked out. A huge, expensively appointed coach sat out front. Three people stood before it—the duchess, her daughter, and Grayson. He had changed clothes, and she tried not to notice how handsome he looked, bending over the two women, his golden hair curling over his cravat. He’d found time to dress appropriately, then. Good. He certainly didn’t look like a man who would ruin a woman in the middle of the day. Surely no one would believe the duchess.
But they would. Of course, they would, no matter how immaculately he dressed or how perfectly Henrietta behaved. Her father’s life in trade would be enough reason for the ton to believe the duchess’s every word.
Her hand trembled, and she let the curtain drop, blocking her view. She’d stay here a moment or two, waiting for Grandmama, and marshal her courage.
“Henrietta?” Ada swept down the staircase into the entry hall, tying bonnet strings beneath her chin.
At the sight of her friend’s face, tears rushed to Henrietta’s eyes.
“What’s the matter?” Ada gasped, folding Henrietta in a hug.
Henrietta shook her head and pulled away. “It’s too much to explain.” She hiccupped and wiped her eyes. “At least right now. But I’m so glad you’re here.” She tightened her arms around her friend and managed a shaky smile. “I’m leaving.” She peeked out the window once more. John drove the coach into the driveway behind the Duke and Duchess’s carriage.
“Right now?”
Henrietta nodded.
“But why?”
Henrietta’s jaw trembled.
“All right, all right. You’ll explain later.” She chucked Henrietta under the chin. “But if you must leave, you’d best put on a brave face. The old dragon is outside as well as your old fiancé. And everyone else soon will be as well. We’re all leaving for a ramble to a folly on the grounds. This hall is about to be full to the brim.”
Henrietta’s knees forgot how to work. Thankfully, Ada’s strong, supporting arms did not. Henrietta allowed her friend to support her weight. “Will you help me? I need you by my side. Please?”
“Of course!” She turned Henrietta toward the door. “It’s only a few steps and a few awful people. You’ve encountered both before.”
Henrietta nodded, holding firm on Ada’s arm. “I’m ready.” And she was. She found the door she’d pulled tight last year over every emotion she’d felt for Grayson. It had been thrown wide open. She grasped the handle and tugged, shutting out the light, protecting herself.
A footman strode forward and opened the door, and Henrietta and Ada strode into the daylight, heads held high.
“Oh!” Henrietta gasped, starting down the steps, “How is Pansy?” An excellent question to distract her from the man below.
Ada chuckled. “Quite fine. Turns out, she was never in as much danger as I thought. She’d immediately ended up under the boat with a ledge to hang on to and air to breath. That’s how Lord Rig—” She halted her words but continued marching down the stairs.
“It’s all right, Ada. You can say his name.” Henrietta darted a glance at the man. He stood completely rigid, and she could only hear the low grumble of his voice. He did not yell, but she recognized his tone—determined.
The doors above them creaked open once more, and Henrietta and Ada swung around to see a large group of guests in bonnets and pelisses and riding jackets exit the house.
“Yoo-hoo!” Lady Pendleson raised an arm in greeting, the other arm wound firmly through the arm of Henrietta’s grandmother. “Are you two set for the outing as well? I’ve convinced your grandmother to come along, you see.”
Grandmama’s eyes widened in relief as her gaze lighted on Henrietta. “Oh, thank goodness you’re here, my dear.”
“I’m afraid I won’t be for long, Grandmama.” Henrietta’s cheeks reddened. Why did she feel so guilty, as if she’d been caught in the middle of a sordid act? “I’m leaving right now. I couldn’t find you, so I left a note.”
Grandmama’s face screwed up in confusion. “Leaving? But we’re to stay until the end of the next week.”
“And I insist you do!” Lady Pendleson boomed.
“I can’t.” Henrietta hoped the two words were enough to convince her grandmother.
