Page 28 of Loving a Dowager
“Why?”
“Given my dear cousin’s condition, I believed it wise.” Landon crossed his arms over his chest and smiled. “I have also requested that Weathersbee invite Lady Irene to join us for the afternoon.”
From the corner of her eye, Henrietta caught Bronwyn arching an eyebrow in Landon’s direction. The two were silently conversing, neither willing to look away first. Normally, Henrietta would be highly entertained and a willing witness to a contest of wills between her son and daughter-in-law; however, she had an unnerving feeling thatshewas the topic of debate today.
Archbroke tugged on his mangled rose-pink silk cravat. “Weathersbee had best be prompt. I’ve a few queries of my own for the man.”
“What matters do you have to discuss with Walter?”
Archbroke’s stare could intimidate his agents at the Home Office, but Henrietta was immune. The coach came to an abrupt stop. Her arms flew out wide to the sides to brace herself and hold Bronwyn back so she wouldn’t fall to her knees, but her arm met the back of the seat cushion.
Landon had already hauled his wife protectively into his lap. He whispered, “I relent. I promise to remain open minded.”
The coach door opened, and a distressed footman stuck his head in. “Apologies, my lord.”
Extracting herself from Landon’s arms, Bronwyn gave the footman a reassuring smile. “Not to worry, we are well.”
Henrietta followed her grinning daughter-in-law out of the coach. Scanning her surroundings, she saw no obvious cause for the coachman to have brought the coach to such an abrupt halt.
Bronwyn hooked her arm through Henrietta’s. “Let’s not keep Theo waiting, Mama.” In unison, they marched up the front steps to Archbroke’s townhouse.
Ooh, Bronwyn was up to no good. “What are you scheming,child?”
Stalling in the front door threshold, Bronwyn pointed to her own chest and feigned indignation. “Me? Why would you believe I was…”
Henrietta chuckled. “Enough play acting. You are terrible at it.” Henrietta strode through the townhome, leading the way to Theo’s private study.
A footman bowed. “Lady Henrietta. Countess Hadfield.” He stepped forward, slowing her progress. “Lady Archbroke, Lord Weathersbee and Lady Irene are waiting in the blue drawing room.”
The green drawing room was typically reserved for receiving visitors, not the blue. Bronwyn asked, “What is Theo thinking?”
“We won’t know unless we make haste and join her.” Henrietta swiveled in the direction of the drawing room that was designed to accommodate all three PORF families. With Bronwyn, Landon, and Archbroke following behind her, Henrietta walked briskly, clutching at her skirts so as not to trip over them. She spied Archbroke’s stoic butler, Hinley, standing guard at the door. How peculiar.
Straightening to attention, Hinley nodded as he pushed open the door and promptly announced their arrival. Henrietta froze at the sight of Lady Irene rubbing Theo’s back while Walter muttered and walked in a small, tight circle. Her niece bent at the waist, clutching the back of an oversized chaise lounge. They were on the opposite side of the massive drawing room, too far away to hear precisely what Walter was saying. Archbroke rushed past Henrietta to Theo’s side, sending Walter and Lady Irene looks that might have turned them to stone had he been Medusa.
Theo straightened and adopted Henrietta’s favored stance. Hands on her hips, Theo glared at her husband. “Archbroke, that is no way to greet our guests.” She turned to address Lady Irene. Her hands slipped to rest on the small of her back. “I shall endeavor to heed your advice when the time comes.” Theo waddled around to settle herself against the back of the chaise lounge. “Now, that the rest of our party has arrived, I’d like to share my thoughts on how best to proceed in order to resolveyourpredicament.”
Archbroke immediately took his position behind Theo. Henrietta moved to sit upon the settee opposite Theo, followed by Bronwyn. Landon made his way to stand next to Walter, who had managed to place two pieces of furniture between himself and Archbroke. Everyone moved like orchestrated chess pieces except for Lady Irene.
Bronwyn scooted closer to Henrietta. “Lady Irene, please come join us.”
Once Lady Irene was settled, Theo said, “Based on the information Lord Weathersbee has shared with me—” Theo glanced over her shoulder at her husband. “That is, prior to our interruption, I surmise it imperative you marry Lord Otterman without delay.” Theo shifted her gaze to Bronwyn.
The pause was no longer than three heartbeats before Bronwyn said, “Lord Hadfield and I will be more than happy to act as witnesses and assist with the arrangements.”
Lady Irene tilted her head in Bronwyn’s direction. “My thanks for your support, but why are you assisting Charlie and me? I’m a stranger to you. My own family wishes to have nothing to do with me.”
Henrietta sensed a wave of heat about her. She turned. Walter’s eyes were trained upon her. He was concerned for her. She would be a liar if she said she remained unaffected by Lady Irene’s words. After all these years, she had become numb to the hurt of her family’s continued stance to denounce her even when Landon ascended in title. But the comfort of having Walter close by was new.
Bronwyn’s proud, confident voice broke through her thoughts. “The answer is simple: because my cousin, Theo, is an extremely good judge of character. And the moment I saw you easing Theo’s pain with long methodical strokes, I knew you were a kind caring soul.”
“You summarized all that in mere moments?” Lady Irene asked.
Landon answered before his wife could, “We all did. Including Archbroke. He gets extremely jealous when he sees another touching his wife, regardless if they are male or female.” Landon winked in Archbroke’s direction, which garnered chuckles from everyone.
Henrietta caught Theo yawning, and so did Landon and Walter. If Theo was in early labor as Henrietta suspected, it would be best if Theo rested before the baby decided to join them. She gave her son the barest of nods, and both men were set into motion.
Walter casually walked over to stand beside Henrietta, and Landon to stand before Bronwyn. “Wife, Lady Irene, we should take our leave. There is much to accomplish.”
