Joseph cleared his throat, the knot of worry in his chest tightening the longer he was there. “It was a pleasure coming to know Lady Harriet while we were at the house party.”
Lady Chapman managed a smile. “How interesting life can be at times.” She sent her daughter a pointed look, making him think her words held a hidden message.
“Isn’t it though?” Joseph agreed. “Much like the day Lady Harriet stopped my mother from stepping into the path of the carriage on Bond Street. I will always be grateful for that.”
“Indeed.” Lady Chapman nodded with a polite smile.
Harriet met his gaze. Her chest rose and slowly fell as if she were drawing a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself. He gave a slight nod, hoping to silently lend his support. His protective instincts rose and demanded he take action though he didn’t know what.
“As Lady Harriet may have mentioned, I count both the Earl of Bolton and Captain Shaw as good friends.”
Lady Chapman nodded. “She did mention that. Their wives are close friends of Harriet’s. Aren’t they, dear?”
“Yes.” Harriet offered a small smile, giving him hope that she was recovering from her upset. “They certainly are.” She paused for a long moment. “Mother and I just returned from the apothecary’s. We were surprised to come upon Reverend Henderson there.”
“Henderson?” Joseph didn’t bother to hide his dislike of the man. “What a small city London can be at times.”
“Quite,” Harriet agreed.
Did Henderson have something to do with their upset?
Before he could ask, the butler arrived with the tea tray and set it before Lady Chapman.
The ritual of serving tea seemed to calm both ladies, easing some of the tension in the room.
Still, Joseph couldn’t let it go. “Forgive me for being overly familiar, but did he press you for a donation?”
“No.” Harriet shook her head then shared a look with her mother as if debating how much to say.
He hoped she knew she could trust him and that he would do anything in his power to aid her.
“It turns out he knew my late stepfather.”
“Oh?” Joseph took a sip of the tea Lady Chapman handed him, not wanting to appear overly anxious to learn more. He hadn’t known Lord Chapman. From what he’d learned at the house party, his death had been nearly two years ago.
When Harriet said nothing further, Joseph said, “I can’t say that I care for Henderson.”
“How is it that you know him?” Lady Chapman asked.
“He and my father are acquainted.” Perhaps if he shared more, Lady Chapman would do the same. “His ideas on requesting donations but not aiding the poor are concerning.”
“Oh? I didn’t realize he felt that way.”
Joseph explained what little he knew. But when the lady didn’t share anything more, he changed the subject. Speaking of the reverend only ruined his fine mood.
He told them about a display of Viking artifacts he’d seen at a museum and a recent lecture on predicting the weather that he’d attended.
Much to his relief, Harriet joined in the conversation and shared a few details about a book she was reading.
He didn’t remain long and soon took his leave, disappointed that he didn’t have a moment alone with Harriet to learn what had happened.
He had his driver take him to his club, wondering who he might ask to learn more about Lord Chapman. With no likely candidates of that age visible, he found a table to wait for a time to see if someone entered who might be helpful.
As he sipped a whiskey, his thoughts returned to Harriet. She had almost appeared frightened. But of what or whom? Surely not Henderson. She hadn’t shown any such emotions toward the man during the house party.
That Henderson knew her stepfather had to be of note, else why would she have mentioned it? He mulled over the possibilities as he greeted several acquaintances.
While he’d wanted to discover more about Henderson because of his involvement with his father, plans for the bank had taken precedence.