Page 38 of Loving a Dowager
“No, it is certainly not. However, you will keep your chin up and stay close to Otterman.” Henrietta squeezed Lady Irene’s hand.
Waiting to join the end of the line, Lady Irene flipped her fan open and raised it to just below her chin. “My mama defied my papa and came for tea this afternoon.”
Lady Irene’s mama, Lady Vanessa, was not known for rebelling. Which confirmed Henrietta’s belief that appearances could be quite deceiving, especially amongst the ton. Her own mama had been regarded as the perfect duchess. Yet at home, her mama and papa’s relationship was anything but ideal. Even so, her mama had not once dared to contact Henrietta, even after the death of both George and Henrietta’s papa. Her mama’s actions and the continued refusal of her siblings to acknowledge her ate at Henrietta’s soul. For reasons Henrietta had yet to understand, she had been deemed unworthy of their love. Henrietta silently vowed to do everything in her power to protect Lady Irene from the anguish she’d experienced.
Choking down the lump in her throat, Henrietta steeled her voice and asked, “How was the visit with your mama?”
Lady Irene’s eyes pooled with moisture. “Mama made it quite clear she had not come to see me, but her grandchild.”
Henrietta replied, “That must have been painful, my dear. You are doing remarkably well this eve and I, for one, am extremely proud of you.”
Lady Irene dipped her head and raised her fan to hide behind. Expecting tears rolling down the woman’s cheeks, Henrietta was shocked to see Lady Irene’s eyes were clear and sparkled with determination. “It is you, Lady Henrietta, who gives me courage to get through this eve. You inspire me to go about with the self-knowledge that I am worthy of love and respect. Otterman does love me, and with time and patience and of course your kind support, I shall regain the respect of my peers… and if not… to hell with them.”
Henrietta blushed. “I am honored to be your champion, Lady Irene. Now off you go.” She nodded to Otterman, who had his arm at the ready to escort his wife. The couple were the last in the long procession. Lady Irene securing a coveted invitation to the Royal box was a feat. It would prompt more gossip, but if handled correctly it should work in their favor.
Her nose twitched at the familiar scent of parchment and ink mixed with sandalwood. She swiveled and found herself face-to-face with Walter, their lips inches from each other. It was insane to consider kissing Walter here and now, but her mind raced with images of them naked and in bed.
Walter leaned away from her and placed a socially acceptable amount of space between them. “I apologize for our late arrival.”
“No need to apologize to me.” She took his arm and together they made their way to the front row of seats of Archbroke’s box.
“From whom should I be seeking forgiveness?”
“That would be Archbroke, who was left to entertain the Prince Regent until your arrival.”
“Ah, poor Archbroke. Prinny has definitely raised the ire of many. Launching formal investigations into his wife’s personal affairs. Declaring his intentions to seek a divorce, to ensure she never becomes queen. While he has been seen regularly visiting the woman he illegitimately married.”
Henrietta snapped shut her mouth, which had fallen open at Walter’s uncensored reply. She took her seat and waited for him to do the same. Frowning behind the program she’d opened, she asked, “Are you one of the many who are angered by the actions of our Prince Regent?”
“A man who denies his wife the right to see her own child does not have the markings of a great ruler.”
“I wholeheartedly agree. Regardless of our personal opinions, I and other members of our family have sworn oaths to protect the man against all harm.”
Walter glanced over to where Archbroke was slowly edging the Prince Regent to his seat, but Prinny was in no rush to have the evening’s entertainment commence. “Do you ever imagine Archbroke fantasizing about strangling Prinny himself?”
Henrietta grinned. “Oh, I believe my dear nephew-in-law has imagined far worse.”
A low growl came from behind Walter. Nicholas’s gaze was trained on the box diagonally opposite. Lady Bertha, Miss Marina White, and two of their male family members were all guests of Lord Bartram. Perhaps the gentleman might be interested in remarrying. But when Henrietta raised her spying glasses, it wasn’t Lord Bartram who was doting upon Bertha, it was his cousin Mr. Ainsworth. To Henrietta’s dismay, both Lady Bertha and Miss White wore expressions of strain and sadness. Particularly Marina, who was trapped in between her two male relations. Both held an evil gleam in their eyes. Tendrils of dread and fear ran down Henrietta’s spine. She had seen the same wicked glimmer in the men’s gazes years before, when they were boys tormenting a poor caged rabbit. She had saved that poor injured creature, and she was going to save Bertha and Marina this eve.
Henrietta shifted and turned around to whisper. “Lord Darlington, what are you doing still sitting there? Go find Landon and escort them over here.”
Nicholas blinked as her orders sank in. “Yes, my lady.” He rose to do her bidding.
Walter rose and urged Henrietta to do the same. “I believe an invitation from you, my dear, would be more appropriate. Allow me to escort you.”
Henrietta frowned. Walter’s logic was sound, as she was related to Archbroke, but Bertha’s brother Bartholomew was the malicious sort. He would simply ignore Henrietta and give her the cut direct, as a sign of fidelity to the ducal family that continued to reject her.
Walter leaned in. “Trust me.” He glanced at Nicholas and then to Lady Irene. Nicholas nodded in acknowledgment of Walter’s unspoken orders to remain in the box.
Henrietta took Walter’s arm. “You had best be right about this. We are jeopardizing more than one woman’s future.”
No sooner had the curtain flapped closed behind them than a hand upon her shoulder halted her movements. “Mama. Where are you going?” Hmph. Of all moments, Landon decided to prove himself capable of moving about undetected.
She spun to face her son. “To rescue Bertha and Miss White.”
“Could you endeavor to limit the number of tasks we undertake this eve?” He dropped his hand and waved for her to proceed him.
“Landon Neale. Bertha is a close friend; I won’t let her suffer.”
