She wore a champagne gold dress that clung to her petite waist and slim shoulders. The skirt flared out only slightly and was made from the finest cotton. It fit her perfectly and was obviously tailor-made. She was considerably shorter than Lothar whereas Gemma only slightly so.
I cannot go without thinking about Gemma for one single moment, can I?Lothar thought as he extended his hand to Henny.
“Henrietta?” a young lady wearing a bright blue dress said. It looked quite striking with her jet-black hair.
“Belinda Farrows, how have you been?” Henny replied and let go of Lothar’s hand to greet the woman.
“I have been well and yourself? And who is this fine gentleman?” Belinda asked.
“Your Grace, may I introduce you to one of my eldest friends, Belinda Farrows. Belinda, this is His Grace Lothar Howard, Duke of Exeter.” Henny made the introduction with what seemed like pride.
Was she proud of me or my title?Lothar could not help but wonder.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace,” Belinda said with a curtsy.
“As it is to make yours, Miss Farrows,” Lothar replied.
“Belinda where have you, oh—” another woman exclaimed, one who seemed to be looking for her.
“Your Grace this is Belinda’s sister, Madeline Phillips. Married naturally. Madeline this is His Grace Lothar Howard, Duke of Exeter.” Henny made the introductions once again. Lothar nodded as the woman curtsied.
“Did you hear that the upcoming ball has been moved up to next month?” Madeline asked Henny.
“Not the Montgomery winter ball?” she replied, aghast.
“One and the same,” Belinda chimed in. “They are afraid that with winter coming upon us so soon that they have too few guests this year.”
“No wonder,” Henny replied. “They must have everyone worth having at their ball. Now the Benjamin family will have to compete with them or have their annual party at another time.”
“They could. Only the invitations have already gone out,” Madeline said.
Lothar tried to keep up with the conversation but found that not only did he not have any idea what they were speaking about, he had little interest in the subject matter. That was until he became the topic of the conversation.
“I see he still follows you like a lovesick hound.” Madeline said.
The comment annoyed him instantly.
“Ah yes good old Lothar. He is always there when I need him. At the drop of a penny,” Henny replied.
Lothar felt hurt by her reply. He tried to remain in good spirits and take what was being said as a joke amongst friends.
Henny would not let it go on much longer, would she?Lothar thought as he felt lost for words. He did not feel the need to defend his actions yet did not at all like being made fun of.
“Well that is impressive. To have a duke on hand and not have to be his wife.” Belinda said with a laugh.
Lothar waited. He was sure that at any moment Henny would come to his defense. He pasted a smile on his face and tried to avoid hearing the conversation further.
Any momentnow. Lothar thought as he lost his temper bit by bit.
She has to say something surely, even if it is just because I am the friend she sees me as!Lothar thought.
Instead, Henny had not only kept quiet but laughed at their mockery of him.
I would not do that to a friend and never to someone I had feelings for.Lothar thought as he decided to leave. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Henny.
“Come now Lothar, do not tell me a few remarks upset you?” Henny said with what seemed like insincere concern.
“You did not say one thing that was not mean. I could expect it from people I do not know but, to hear it from you,” Lothar said under his breath. He did not want to cause a scene or embarrass Henny. Even though she had not said anything in his defense.
