“I suppose it does come with certain advantages.”
“If you haven’t chosen this paragon of Society, how will you decide?” Simon asked, sounding genuinely interested.
Harry didn’t want to wait another two months until the Season officially began. Louisa had offered to help him. The idea of Louisa helping him find a wife left a bitter taste in his mouth. But if he was the best person to find her a husband, maybe she was the best person to find him a wife.
Everything inside him rejected the idea of a wife. He’d lost the right to happiness. His father had taken it away from him. And Harry had done the same thing by forcing Sabita to England. She had begged him not to leave India, but he had compelled her to return with him. Only to have her murdered within a fortnight of arriving.
But responsibility came first. He would marry a proper lady, whether he wanted to or not.
“Are you well, Harry?”
Harry blinked and glanced over at his brother. “Pardon, just thinking.”
“I had asked how you would find a wife.”
“I suppose I will have to attend the Season.” Or have Louisa find him a wife.
“Excellent. I do believe I shall attend a few balls this year too. Drum up some business as they say. I will need to make up for this current dry period.” Simon rose and looked down at him with a slight furrow to his dark brows. “Are you certain you are well?”
“I will be.” Once he found a mother for Charlotte and retreated to Northwood Park. He had to do this for his daughter. Charlotte needed a mother. Love didn’t matter any longer. Marriage needed to be a business arrangement and nothing more.
LOUISA PACED HER BEDCHAMBER, unable to sit still. It was as if she knew something would happen today. But what? Harry would not pay a call on her again. It had been three days since she’d seen him with Charlotte. In a few days, they would both come to call on her to attend the menagerie and view the elephant.
A walk was what she needed to purge this excess energy. After pulling out her cloak, she called for a footman to accompany her. The walk to Hyde Park stretched her legs and focused her mind on finding a husband. As she walked, she glanced around but mostly noticed either couples or groups of ladies. Not an eligible man in sight. Strolling toward the Serpentine, she heard a familiar giggle followed by the excited cry of Charlotte.
“Miss Drake!”
Oh Lord, how was she to focus on bachelors when Harry was walking directly toward her with his delightful daughter in tow? Her breath quickened as Harry turned to face her.
“Lady Charlotte, how lovely to see you,” Louisa said to the little girl.
“Papa took me to the park!”
“Your Grace,” Louisa said with a curtsy.
“Miss Drake,” Harry replied with a stiff bow. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“Yes,” she said, unsure what to say next. Based on his rigid stance and slight frown, she doubted seeing her was any kind of pleasure for him.
“Miss Drake, we’re to see the elephant in four more days!” Charlotte gleefully filled the awkward silence between the adults.
She smiled down at the little girl. “Yes, that is right.”
Two ladies approached whispering to each other as they came near. “Your Grace,” they said in unison before adding, “Miss Drake.”
“Lady Anne, Miss Emerson, lovely to see you again,” Louisa said with a smile.
Harry said with a quick bow. “Ladies, this is my daughter, Charlotte.”
“I see,” Lady Anne replied with a slight sneer. “Come along, Miss Emerson, we must continue our walk.”
Louisa wanted to shake some sense into them both. How dare they give Charlotte the cut like that. Thankfully the little girl hadn’t noticed the slight, unlike her father. She glanced over at Harry. His jaw clenched, he glared at the backs of the women as they strolled away.
“Charlotte, go look for some fish in the water. John will go with you.” Louisa nodded at her footman, who smiled at the young girl.
“Come along, Lady Charlotte,” John said with a grin. “Let us see how many fish we can count.”
Once they were out of earshot, Louisa whispered, “I am so sorry, Harry.”