Page 41 of The Most Eligible Bride in London
“But when my sister decided to marry Merton she was not going againstherfamily.” Henrietta wondered what Dotty would have done if Mama and Papa had not liked Merton. “If he does not make peace with my sister and Merton, not to mention my parents, what would I do? I refuse to allow myself to grow fonder of him if it means breaking with my family.” They were too important to her. She could not imagine never being on good terms with them.
Georgie wrinkled her nose. “That is a point, and a good one. The only thing you can do is let him work it out.” She took up her cup, swirled the now-cold tea, and set it back down again. “If you decide you want to know him better, we will give you all the assistance we can.” She looked Henrietta in her eyes. “You know we will.”
She patted her friend’s hands. “I do know that. I would dearly love to be able to let this take its course, but I”—she what? Was afraid? She had never been fearful of anything before—“I must give it more thought.”
Georgie gave Henrietta a small smile. “It will all work out the way it is meant to. I firmly believe that. It has with the rest of us, even Augusta.”
Augusta, who had vowed not to wed until she had finished her studies, but had married Lord Phineas after all. “Then I suppose I must too.” The problem was, Henrietta did not like not being able to control a situation. “I think I hear Dorie.” She placed her bonnet on her head and attached it with a long hat-pin. “I cannot wait to see this new carriage.”
“Neither can I.” Georgie drew on her gloves. “Exeter has a talent for designing them.”
A moment later Dorie swept into the room smiling brightly. “My carriage is waiting for us.”
Exchanging a humorous glance, Henrietta and Georgie followed their friend out of the morning room and to the hall, where they retrieved their mantels, then strolled out of the house.
The barouche was almost a work of art. The body was Pompeian red, but flowers painted in multiple colors and gold piping decorated the body. The wheels and lines of the vehicle were also picked out in gold. The interior bench was black, but the squabs were the same red as the body and embroidered with flowers. The effect was stunning.
“I do not believe I have ever seen such an elaborately designed barouche.” Henrietta walked around the carriage. She looked for a door on the other side, but there was none. “What is inside?”
“Exeter had tables that fold out added.” Dorie was almost giddy. “Do you like it?”
Henrietta did. “I do. How did he come up with the idea?”
Her friend’s cheeks turned an interesting color red. “We were talking one night, and he asked me to describe the type of barouche I would like. I told him my fantasy of a carriage, but I never thought he would actually have one made to my specifications.”
“It seems he did.” Georgie reached for the handle, but a footman opened the door. “You will be the envy of every lady in Town.”
Henrietta agreed. “I predict flowers painted on carriages will become the newest rage.” Turley and Exeter trotted up on their horses. “It is time to test the cushions.”
The footman assisted her into the carriage, but the gentlemen dismounted and handed their wives in. Unexpectedly, the seat was long enough that the three of them could easily fit on one bench. Even being in the middle she did not feel crowded. It struck her forcefully that she truly did wish to wed. It was no fun at all being the sole unmarried female in a group of married couples. An image of Fotherby unhelpfully entered her mind. She was surprised he had not been invited to accompany them.
The carriage started forward, jerking her thoughts back to the luxury of the barouche. “The seat is extremely comfortable. I could almost take a nap.”
Dorie wiggled around a bit, then settled in. “They are, but you dare not fall asleep. I have heard Lady Jersey is in Town, as well as some of the other patronesses.”
“You need not fear. I will be on my best behavior.” As Henrietta always was when she was in Polite Society. She knew full well that her behavior reflected on her sister Dotty and their younger sister.
“I was not concerned.” Dorie’s lips tipped up. “I would merely have poked you.”
“No doubt.” Henrietta glanced at the sky. “But you must admit this is the most comfortable barouche in which you have ridden.”
“I do.” Dorie glanced at her husband. “Exeter did an amazing job with it.”
He rode closer to the carriage. “I am glad you enjoy it, my love.”
Turley rode up next to Georgie. “Would you like a carriage? I am more than happy to have one made for you.”
“Thank you, perhaps next Season.” Georgie grinned at him. “We must make sure that this one is made use of. And I have my phaeton if I wish to drive.”
“As you wish.” The way he smiled at her almost made Henrietta jealous. But only of their closeness. “Tell me if you change your mind.”
“I shall.”
“You might want one for summer when you are in the country,” Dorie suggested.
“Oh!” Georgie frowned slightly. “I had not thought of that.” She glanced at her husband. “I shall require one after all.”
Turley and Exeter exchanged grins. “I shall have some drawings done for you to review.”
