Dotty pulled up to a house in Green Street. “I hope not. Although you might have to deal with parents who want their daughter to make a more advantageous marriage.”
Such as what his parents had suffered. His mother’s stubbornness and his father’s steadiness were the only reason they were able to wed at all. Well, his grandmother had helped, but without those traits, they would have married others. He needed to find a lady as stubborn as his mother. “Where are we?”
“We are visiting Lady Turley.” Dotty waited while a footman went to the pair’s heads. “She is a friend of Henrietta. I am hoping Lady Exeter will be present as well.”
Another footman came out and helped Dotty descend, and Harry jumped down and offered her his arm. “How many times will we do this?”
She gave him a slight smile. “As many times as I think necessary. Dom will introduce you to the gentlemen. You need friends and connections.”
They were ushered into the morning room, containing four ladies and several small children.
“Harry!” His sister Henrietta jumped up from the floor, where she’d been helping an older baby stack blocks. “Dotty, why did you not tell me you were showing him around?”
“I just got into Town late yesterday,” Harry said, not wanting any conflict between his sisters.
Dotty kissed Henrietta’s cheek. “I sent a note around this morning, but you probably have not got to your correspondence. Did Grandmamma tell you he must wed?”
“Yes.” Henrietta nodded. “I am enlisting Dorie and Adeline’s help.” She turned to glance at the fourth lady in the room. “Augusta will not be any help at all. She and Phinn do not care about most entertainments.”
A lady who looked a great deal like Madeline shrugged her shoulders. “Phinn and I are scholars. That leaves us only enough time to spend with our families and friends.”
Another lady laughed. “Which is exactly the way they like it.”
The ends of Augusta’s lips curled up. It wasn’t until then that he made the connection. “You’re Matt Worthington’s sister?”
Rising from the floor, she held out her hand. “I am. Otherwise known as Augusta Carter-Woods, or Lady Phinn. I think you are the only member of your family I have not at least seen before.”
“Good Lord,” Henrietta said. “My manners have deserted me. Dorie, Adeline, allow me to present my eldest brother, Mr. Henry Stern. Harry, Dorie is the Marchioness of Exeter and Adeline is Viscountess Turley.”
Lady Exeter and Lady Turley had each inclined their heads when introduced. “Ladies, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“We have heard a great deal about you,” Lady Exeter said. “Congratulations on your seat in the Commons.”
“Yes, indeed.” Lady Turley smiled. “Congratulations. We look forward to helping you this Season.”
“Thank you.” This Season was going to be much busier than he’d thought. He’d need morning rides just to keep his head clear, and, hopefully, find a wife.
CHAPTER TWO
The sky was just beginning to lighten when Madeline opened her eyes. Would Harry Stern join them, or had he simply been making conversation? She would soon know.
Harper, her lady’s maid, had already laid out Madeline’s riding habit. She scrambled out of bed and went behind the screen to make her ablutions. By the time she was finished, her maid had a piece of toast and a cup of chocolate waiting.
“Your sisters are up as well,” Harper said. “The horses will be waiting by the time you are ready.”
“Perfect.” A year ago, Grace had hired maids for Madeline and her sisters in preparation for their come out. She could not have been happier with Harper. The woman always knew exactly what to do. Madeline dressed and finished her toast and chocolate as her maid put her hair up in a knot and affixed a small hat.
She went into the corridor, where Alice and Eleanor joined her as she made her way to the hall and outside to their horses. “What a pretty day this will be.”
Their grooms helped them mount their horses, but only one groom would accompany them on their ride. Today it was Madeline’s groom, Finnigan. Like many of their male servants, he had been in the army. He walked with a limp, but the damage to his leg did not stop him from riding.
She and her sisters rode out of Berkeley Square and onto Mount Street. They turned onto Park Street, and Harry Stern hailed them. “Good morning. It looks to be a fine day.”
He had an excellent seat and really was handsome, as was his dark bay horse. She glanced down and noticed the stallion had matching white socks.
Alice peered past him down the street. “It looks like Lord Montagu and Lord St. Albans could not rise in time to join us.”
Harry brought his horse up beside Madeline, which required Alice to move to ride next to Eleanor. For years Madeline had ridden between them. “Their loss.”
She grinned. “Not everyone finds it easy to get up early.”
They rode through the gate, and he glanced at her. “My whole family are early risers. I don’t think I’d know how to sleep in if I wanted to.”
“Everyone in our house is up before times as well.” It probably had to do with younger children and animals. “We usually ride either to the large oak tree or the Serpentine.”
“Lead on, my lady.” He grinned.
Rose, Madeline’s Cleveland Bay mare, was ready for a gallop, and took off at her signal. Despite her slight lead, Harry reached the tree at the same time she did. “Your stallion is fast.”
He patted the horse’s neck. “He likes to run.”
She tried to place the breed but could not. “What is he?”
“A Trakehner.” Harry stroked the stallion’s neck. “My brother-in-law, Nate Fotherby, has one. His was the second one I’d seen. When I had to retire my old horse, I bought Willy. His formal name is Wilhelm Cóiméad, to show his Irish and Prussian heritage.” His gaze shifted to her horse. “Your mare is quick as well. Is she a Cleveland?”
“She is.” She smiled just thinking about her mare. “Her name is Rose.” Madeline glanced at her sisters. “Eleanor and Alice decided to use classical names, but Rose just seemed to fit her.”
“It’s a pretty name for a pretty lady.” Harry scanned the Park. “Where do we go from here? Another gallop?”
“Yes. To the Serpentine.” He had the same energy his sisters Dotty and Henrietta had. Even when he was sitting still, he seemed to be in motion. “Are you ready?”
“Always.” He grinned.
Madeline liked his ready smile. As they urged their horses into a canter, she had the feeling he could have ridden ahead but chose to keep pace with her. Once again, she admired his seat. Yet, his horsemanship was to be expected. His sisters rode well too.
When they reached the spot at the Serpentine they used, her sisters were already there, and they were joined by Henrietta, Dorie Exeter, and Georgiana Turley. They all exchanged greetings.
“Harry,” his sister said, “Nate sent a note to you regarding an early meeting today of the committee discussing bankruptcy. He found out about it quite by accident and believes it was set at a time when most of the younger MPs on the committee would not be able to attend.”