“I am glad to have met you, Muriel.”
“Me too. I wish circumstances were different,” Muriel said. “I would like to have continued our acquaintance.”
“And I too.” Henrietta rose. “I must go now. My aunt will be worried that I have been gone so long.”
“Just a moment, please,” Muriel said. “There is something I wish to return to Julian.” Muriel disappeared for several minutes and then returned with a gold pocket watch in hand. Henrietta recognized it immediately as Julian’s. “I did not wish to accept it,” Muriel said, “but Julian left it in case I had need of money.”
“So you do not have need of money?” Henrietta asked.
Muriel replied with a tight smile. “I have a small pension from the army. I will economize.”
“Do you intend to seek a new protector?” Henrietta asked.
“No. I have no desire to expand that particular circle of acquaintances . . .”
“Pray forgive my impertinence,” Henrietta said, “but I have a reason for asking.”
Muriel arched a delicate brow. “And what is that?”
“I came to London because my great-aunt desires a companion. She is an eccentric woman with a scandalous past, but she is also kind-hearted and generous. I would very much like to introduce you to her.”
Muriel blinked. “You think I would be an appropriate companion to your aunt?”
“She is an unusual woman. I think she would be quite taken with you. If she were to send for you, would you be willing to call upon her at Cheswick House in Chelsea?”
“If your aunt desires me to,” Muriel replied with a smile, “I would be delighted to call.”
Henrietta gave her a quick embrace. “Then I shall look forward to seeing you again.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
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AT HER MAID’S ENTRANCE, Henrietta rose from the window seat where she’d spent most of the night and early morning gazing sightlessly down at the parterre gardens. The sun had begun to rise, revealing the sculpted shapes that had formerly been only shadows. It had been several days since she’d seen Julian. He’d sent a letter purposely giving her a few days to reconsider, but she refused to beg off. To do so now would be both cowardly and dishonorable. She was neither. Yet her insecurity continued to grow and bloom until it threatened to suffocate her.
“Good morn, Miss,” Millie offered cheerily “’Tis a big day for ye.”
“Indeed it is, Millie,” she replied. Henrietta glanced at the clock. It was past seven. She expected Julian at eight. Taking the seat in front of the dressing table, she untied and loosened her plaited hair as Millie prepared her morning toilette.
Taking up the boar’s hair brush, Millie began stroking it through Henrietta’s tangled tresses while Henrietta stared dispassionately at the plain muslin traveling gown that lay waiting for her. She’d told Julian she cared nothing for all the pomp and pageantry of weddings. That much was true, but she would still have liked to have had a new gown made for the occasion.
“Don’t fret, Miss,” Millie spoke as if reading her mind. “You’ll make a lovely bride. I bought some new lace trim yesterday, and Lady Cheswick has given you a new silk shawl.”
“Thank you, Millie. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Ye won’t have to, least not if ye and Mr. Julian be settling at Price Hall,” Millie said.
“Have you decided to stay with me, then?” Henrietta asked in surprise.
“Aye. I’ll stay. ’Twouldn’t be the same to go back to Houghtongate without ye, Miss.”
Henrietta took Millie’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you, Millie. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”
“’Twill be all right, Miss,” Millie offered reassuringly. “I’ve always thought well of Mr. Julian. There’s no doubt in my mind he’ll try to be a good husband to ye.”
“I think so too, Millie. Julian is not half the scoundrel the world seems to think he is. “Millie, is my lady still abed?” Henrietta asked.
“Aye. But she said last night that she wishes to speak with ye before ye depart,” Millie replied.
By the time Henrietta had finished dressing, she was a bundle of nerves. It was a quarter to eight. Julian would arrive at any moment. A few moments later came the sound of a carriage. Millie ran to the front window and peeked through the drapes. “Mr. Julian has arrived for ye, Miss,” she reported with a grin. “I’ll see to yer bags.”
“Thank you. I’m going now to take my leave of Lady Cheswick. Please inform Julian that I will be down directly.”
Taking up her bonnet, gloves, and reticule, Henrietta quit her rooms for her aunt’s chambers. She stole a fortifying breath and then knocked softly on the door.
“Come in, my dear,” the old lady croaked her reply. Henrietta entered to find her aunt sipping chocolate in bed. “I never take breakfast,” she explained, “But I do enjoy my chocolate. Is Julian here to collect you?”
“Yes, my lady.”