Chapter Three
Leo strolled into the breakfast parlor and was surprised to see his mother at the table. “What brings you down so early?”
“Good morning to you too.” She glanced up from a stack of cards at her elbow. “There is too much to organize for me to lay about.”
His mother was the only person, other than his father, who could give him a set-down without raising her voice. Well, there was one other. Theo. “Good morning. What are your plans for the day?”
“I considered taking you on morning visits but decided against it.”
Thank God for that. He addressed the dishes on the sideboard. “Did you not think I would enjoy them?”
“I thought the young ladies would drive you back to your clubs.” A footman placed a plate on the table in front of her, which consisted of a soft-boiled egg, toast, and marmalade.
“I am attending Lady Bellamny’s soirée for young ladies this evening.
I will be able to discover there who are the best prospects for you. ”
Leo carried his plate to the table, taking the chair across from his mother’s. “That sounds much better than parading me around Town.”
“Indeed.” Mama poured him a cup of tea from the pot on the table. “Gentlemen are not allowed at the main event. However, you may come for supper. By then I will have formed my opinions.”
He wondered if he should tell her that he had already made his decision, but she appeared to be more animated than she had been since his father’s death three years ago. “Tell me when to arrive and I will be there.”
She finished eating her egg and toast then swallowed the rest of her tea and rose. “Be there at eleven for supper. I will see you at dinner.”
He’d planned to dine at his club, but something in her tone made him reconsider. He must find out more about this event. Who could he ask? “Until then.”
Leo donned his coat, hat, and picked up his walking stick.
Once he reached the pavement, he almost immediately saw the Marquis of Montagu, one of Theo’s brothers-by-marriage.
“Montagu, I’m glad I met up with you.” Leo fell in alongside the man.
“What can you tell me about Lady Bellamny’s soirée this evening? ”
“It is an event for young ladies to meet other ladies making their come outs. As well as for mothers of marriage-minded sons to look over the crop of young ladies and see their friends that they might not have seen lately. My mother met Eleanor at the event and thought that she’d be perfect for me. Not that Mama gave herself away.”
“Of course not.” Leo was going to have to tell his mother he had made his choice. He didn’t want her trying to find another young lady for him. “Will you be there this evening?”
“Only to fetch Eleanor. She and the rest of the sisters are going to support Theo.”
“Excellent. I shall see you there.” Leo tipped his hat. “I have a few things to do before this evening.”
“I do as well. I say, when are you going to become more involved in the Lords? We could use another Whig vote.”
That was something he had planned to do. It was also something Theo would expect him to do. “Soon. Very soon.”
“Good. I’ll see you this evening.” Montagu strode off.
“Yes, you will.” Even if Leo wasn’t able to start courting Theo formally he could be with her.
Theo studied herself in the cheval mirror for any flaws in either her gown or her hair. She must look and act perfectly this evening. Even though Lady Bellamny had known Theo since she was a child, the Grand Dame would expect perfection. Theo would not be the first of her sisters to fail.
“My lady, it is time for you to go down,” Payne, Theo’s maid, said.
“Thank you. I must not be late this evening.”
“Yes, my lady. I was told.” Theo held still while her maid placed a Norwich silk shawl over her shoulders, then handed her a reticule, and fan. “Have a good time this evening.”
Theo pulled a face. “I am not sure this evening is meant to be fun.”
Grace was descending the stairs when Theo arrived at the landing. “Will everyone else be there this evening?”
Everyone else being her sisters.
“Yes. Except for Oriana. She and Charlie will not arrive until Friday.”
Theo would not have blamed her sister-in-law if she had decided to remain in the country after just having had the twins not more than two months ago. “I expect that she will not go around much.”
Grace nodded. She had counseled both Oriana and Charlie to remain in the country, but they insisted on being in Town for Theo.
Matt came out from his study. “I’ll see you at eleven along with the rest of the gentlemen. Rothwell told me that Louisa is arranging to have a table put together so that we can sit as a family.”
Theo was glad they would all sit together. “We need to go before I become more nervous than I already am.”
“You will be fine.” Grace twined her arm with Theo’s. “You know exactly what to do.”
Matt accompanied them to the coach and helped them in.
“Have a good time and meet other young ladies.”
“I will try.” Theo had never been so happy that Sarah would be there as well.
Several minutes later, they pulled up to Lady Bellamny’s house on Upper Brook Street.
As Theo had been told, the footmen expeditiously moved the ladies into the house so that the line was kept short.
When she was announced, she presented herself to Lady Bellamny, curtseying to the proper degree then rising. “Good evening, my lady.”
“Good evening, Theo.” Her ladyship nodded. “Perfect. Just as I expected. I predict you will make a brilliant match.” Lady Bellamny sounded like she knew something that Theo did not. Then her ladyship glanced at Grace. “My dear, you have done it again. I congratulate you.”
Smiling slightly, Grace inclined her head. “Thank you.”
“You have only Mary left until your girls are old enough to make their bow.”
“Yes. In three years, she will come out,” Grace responded easily.
Her ladyship nodded and addressed Theo again, “Mingle. This is the only event you will have without gentlemen.”
“I will, my lady. Thank you.” She and Grace stepped aside for the next young lady to be presented.
Theo watched as the lady’s curtsey verged on insulting.
Lady Bellamny’s black eyes seemed to bore into the girl.
“Well, Philomina,” her ladyship said to the older woman accompanying the young lady, “I see you have your work cut out for you.”
“Unfortunately.” She curtseyed, took her charge by the arm walked off.
“But I do not understand,” the girl complained. “I am the daughter of a marquis. I outrank her.”
The woman huffed. “Come and I shall explain it to you. Your prospects for the Season have been reduced.”
“Who is she?” Theo whispered to Grace.
“A young lady who was not properly prepared, but who should know better. Come, let us stroll. We are bound to find someone we know.”
“There are Sarah and her mother. I should ask how her introduction to Lady Bellamny went.”
“Invite them to join us for supper.” Grace glanced around. “I see Louisa. I shall apprise her of the change in numbers.”
“I will.” Theo went directly to her friend. “Good evening. Did Lady Bellamny terrify you?”
“Yes.” Sarah laughed. “My knees were shaking, but she told Mama that I would do.”
“Excellent.” Theo was happy for her friend. “Let us introduce ourselves to some of the other ladies. I see Lady Lana standing with someone else. We first met when we were both in Town a few years ago.”
Sarah came to a stop. “Which one is Lady Lana?”
“Red hair, pale green gown.” Sarah had a strange look on her face. “Why?”
“The lady next to her is one who was cruel to me.”
That would not be allowed to stand. “We will greet Lady Lana and find out who the other female is.”
“If you think we should.” Sarah sounded dubious.
“Indeed, I do.” Theo firmed her jaw. “I wish to know why she believes she is better than others.”
Lady Giselle Darnel stood beside her dear friend Lady Lana Grant at Lady Bellamny’s event. “I have decided whom I will wed.”
Lana’s eyes widened. “Already? We have not even been to a ball or Almack’s, and there are no gentlemen here.”
“I saw him this afternoon in the Park. It is the Duke of Chandos. He will do quite nicely.”
“The Duke of Chandos?” She sounded out of breath. “Giselle, you cannot. He is a rake. My mother told me I was not to accept a set from him if he was bold enough to ask without an introduction. Which she said she would not allow.”
Lana was a dear, but Giselle was sure her friend was not the sort of lady who would attract a great deal of attention from gentlemen.
In fact, she was certain Lana would need help in acquiring a husband in one Season.
“He is a duke. A wealthy, young, and handsome duke. And I have a desire to be a duchess.”
Lana’s forehead wrinkled. “There is that, I suppose.”
“Do not frown. You will get lines.” Giselle was constantly having to remind Lana to keep her face as calm as possible. “I will think of something to gain his attention. I heard he received a card for Almack’s. He has never before attended. That must mean he is looking for a wife.”
“Perhaps his mother is pushing him to have an heir,” Lana said. “I would not want to marry either a rake or someone who does not truly wish to wed.”
Giselle shrugged lightly. “That only matters if one wants a love match.” She glanced across the room where her mother was in conversation with another lady. “I wonder who that is.”
“That is the Dowager Duchess of Chandos,” Lana said helpfully. “Mama pointed her out to me earlier.”
That might mean his grace was going to attend the supper. “We should try to find a table close to her at supper.”
“Oh, look. There is Lady Theodora Vivers coming this way.” Lana smiled. “She was very nice to me when I met her a few years ago and again at a store selling hats earlier this week.”
Giselle groaned. “She has that ninny Miss Pettigrew with her.”
“Whatever you do, do not take against Lady Theo. Her family is extremely well connected.”