Chapter Five
A line of pink streaked through the antelucan sky as Theo rode with her groom, Mick, and one other groom to the Pettigrews’s leased house. Sarah’s mare was standing with a footman in front of the short set of stairs.
As soon as Theo stopped, Sarah came down the steps. “Thank you for your loan of a groom. Mama discovered that Cook has been sending our groom to the market with one of the maids.”
It never occurred to Theo that the Pettigrews had brought only one groom. Although, considering Lord Pettigrew remained in the country, it was not surprising. “This is Straw. He can act as your groom when you require one.”
“Thank you. That is very kind of you.” Sarah glanced at the servant. “Straw?”
He tugged on his cap. “It was better than Berry, miss.”
Understanding dawned on her face. “Well, then. Let us go, shall we?”
The groom cupped his hands, and she mounted her hack. Theo headed down the street toward the Park. Two shadowy figures on horseback approached them from the right as they reached the gate.
“Good morn.”
Chandos? Who was the other man? “Good morning to you. You are up early.”
“As you know, the only time one can gallop without creating a commotion is early morning.” He turned to the gentleman next to him. “Please allow me to present Lord Marrow.”
Theo quickly placed him as the Earl of Marrow, heir to the Marquis of Carlisle. He had a sister, Patricia, who had just come out. “It is nice to meet you.” Theo glanced at Sarah. “This is my friend, Miss Pettigrew.”
“Ladies, my pleasure.” His lordship smiled politely and fell in beside Sarah.
Chandos joined Theo, who glanced at him. “I had no idea riding this early in the morning was so fashionable.”
“I beg your pardon?” His eyes widened a bit. “Marrow?”
She nodded.
“Ah, well. I returned home last night to find he’d left a card. I thought an early ride would be just the thing to recover from a long coach ride to Town.”
“That was nice of you.” She might have to revise her view of the duke.
He gave her a rueful look. “Despite your obviously poor opinion of me, I am considered to be a good friend and an excellent all round fellow.”
Theo raised her brows to express her doubts.
“Lady Theo, I realize that we got off to a bad start, and you tolerate me only because I am Stanwood’s friend, but I would like to be your friend as well. I can be very useful.”
She was not quite sure what to make of his offer. Then again, he had agreed to help find her friend a husband. “Let us see how this goes, shall we?”
“I will endeavor to prove myself to you.” He glanced up. “Race you to the large oak tree.”
She urged her mare into a trot. “Go!” Her horse started to gallop. Chandos quickly caught up to her, but did not draw ahead. They reached the tree at the same time. “Did you not want to win?”
“It appears that my horse did not wish to.” He gave his hack a disgusted look.
“That is the silliest thing I’ve heard.” Horses not wanting to win a race.
“What can I say?” He lightly shrugged. “Stallions have their own minds at times, especially when a pretty mare is present.”
Theo had not actually been around that many stallions. Most of her brothers rode geldings in Town. “You might have a point.” She turned in her saddle to look for Sarah and found her with Marrow cantering toward the Serpentine. “Shall we join Miss Pettigrew and Lord Marrow?”
Chandos inclined his head. “If you wish.”
What was that about? He was the one who brought the viscount. Theo started toward her friend and his lordship, and the duke followed. “I know she has a groom with her, but I would feel better if I did not leave her alone too long. She has never been in Town before.”
“Ah. I understand. Playing gooseberry.”
“Well, someone has to. She is not what I would call up to snuff.”
“This from a lady just out?” Chandos said teasingly.
“I might be in my first Season, but I have a great deal of experience gained from watching my sisters.” Theo fixed him with a look. “Who do you think helped St. Albans convince Alice to wed him? And that is just one example.”
“I wasn’t aware he’d needed help.”
“Indeed, he did. Mary and I came up with a scheme. We also assisted our sister Madeline be able to wed Harry Stern.”
Leo had no idea Theo had been so busy. No wonder she was confident beyond her years.
Not at all like some of the other ladies just out or even in their second year.
It was her self-assurance that had originally drawn him to her.
If Theo hadn’t had her hair down until just recently, he would have thought she was older than eighteen. “I will take you at your word.”
She gave him one of her suspicious looks. “How exactly?”
“By helping you, of course.” He had to show her that he was dependable. It was clear she would not be enamored by any of his rakish charm. “I will also have a word with Marrow.”
Her eyes flew wide. “Do not tell me he is a rake.”
“No. No. Not at all. But he is a man. And by the way he is paying attention to Miss Pettigrew, he finds her interesting.”
Theo’s eyes narrowed as she stared at the couple. “You might be correct.” Miss Pettigrew laughed at something Marrow said. “She certainly seems to be having fun talking with him.”
“There you see.” Leo mentally congratulated himself. “I might have found a suitable match for her.”
“That remains to be seen.” She brought her mare to a halt. “How are his finances? Is he able to support a wife and family?”
Good Lord, she was strict. “I’ve never heard either he or his father is under the hatches, but I will discover anything you want to know.”
“Well, we must make sure. Alice was on her way to falling in love with a scoundrel before Mary and I interceded.”
This was it. Falling in with Theo’s schemes was how he’d become part of her life. Once he did that, he would convince her to marry him. “We should make a list of what I need to find out.”
She graced him with one of her wide smiles. “Perhaps you should join us for tea.”
“I would be delighted.” They rode on a little further, keeping watch over her friend and his as they did. “Are you attending the opening of Almack’s?”
“Yes. Grace received the vouchers shortly after we arrived. She arranged for Sarah and her mother to be approved as well.”
“Would you honor me with a set?” He tried to breathe, but it was harder than he’d thought.
“Yes.” He filled his lungs. “That would be delightful. You are an excellent dancer.”
“You are as well. Shall I ask Miss Pettigrew?”
“Please do. I am certain that after you stand up with her, other gentlemen will find they want to dance with her as well.”
Apparently, Theo was not at all concerned about whether she would be asked for other sets. “I’m sure Marrow will ask both of you as well.”
“How as your ride been?” she asked as they reached their friends.
“Very nice.” Miss Pettigrew smiled. “His lordship has been exceptionally kind.”
Marrow kept his gaze on her as he smiled as well. “I am being nothing of the sort. Mad dashes across the Park are not as enjoyable as meandering around. I almost feel as if I’m in the country again.”
“Do you prefer the country to Town?” she asked.
“I make a habit of coming in order to keep an eye on matters for my father. He prefers the country. But I’m also happy to be home.” His smile widened. “As for you never having been here before, if you allow me, I would enjoy showing you the sights.”
She slanted a slightly panicked look at Theo, who gave an imperceptible nod. What was that about? “If my mother allows.”
“I have an idea,” Theo said. “Sarah, you and your mother should join us for tea this afternoon, and his lordship could join us as well. If no one has other plans that is.”
Miss Pettigrew’s smile blossomed again. “What a perfect idea.” She looked uncertainly at Marrow. “If you would not mind.”
“Not at all. I am completely at your disposal for tea. Thank you for the invitation, my lady.”
Leo got the distinct impression that Marrow was more than merely interested in Miss Pettigrew. “While we’re on the subject of entertainments. Miss Pettigrew, might I beg a set of you at Almack’s.”
A light blush colored her cheeks. “Yes, of course.”
“I must not be behind Chandos.” Marrow bowed. “Would you honor me with a set as well?”
The blush deepened. “That would be lovely.”
He turned to Theo. “My lady, I would ask you as well.”
“Of course.” Her lips curved up. “I would be delighted.”
Leo caught Theo’s twinkling eyes. “This has been a productive and enjoyable morning.”
“It has indeed.” Her eyes indicated her agreement. She glanced at her groom, who nodded. “I believe we should go home now.”
“Oh, yes.” Miss Pettigrew started toward the gate. “My mother will wonder what is keeping me.”
Leo wanted to ask if he could join Theo for breakfast, but he needed to speak with Marrow to ascertain the information she desired of him. Fortunately, she rode next to Leo, leaving Marrow to accompany Miss Pettigrew. “That was neatly done. Inviting them to tea.”
“It seemed as if it was the most expeditious way for Lady Pettigrew to meet his lordship and form an opinion of him.”
“Thus, clearing the way for him to be allowed to not only stand up with Miss Pettigrew, but accompany him, chaperoned, of course, to some of the sights.”
“Yes. Astute of you.”
He dipped his head. “I do my poor best.”
“You are doing very well.” She gave him a look of approval, and he wanted to preen.
Marrow and Miss Pettigrew stopped before going through the gate.
“I thought I would escort Miss Pettigrew to her house,” he said.
That did not help Leo at all in his plan to have his friend join him for breakfast.
“Why do we not all go together. The Pettigrews’ home is not far from Berkeley Square,” Theo suggested.
She was brilliant. That would give him time to invite Marrow to break his fast with Leo. “I agree.”
“Very well, then.” Marrow inclined his head. “We shall all go together.”
Leo noticed that the groom accompanying Miss Pettigrew appeared relieved. Why was that?
Marrow kept up a steady stream of conversation about the places Miss Pettigrew should see while in town, volunteering, again, to escort her.
She seemed to agree with all his ideas. By the time they reached the house on Upper Grosvenor Street, plans had been made to visit the Tower, the museum, the opera, the theater, Vauxhall, rides in the Park, and various other places.
Leo didn’t know when his friend was going to do anything else but accompany Miss Pettigrew around Town.
Was Marrow actually attempting to ensure that he had no competition for her hand?
If so, that meant Leo had best get busy making sure everything was as Theo wanted it.
They bid adieu to the lady, and he was surprised to find a different groom take Miss Pettigrew’s horse, and the original groom ride off toward Berkeley Square. “Why does it look as if the groom is going to your house?”
“Because he is,” Theo said. “They only have the one here for the Season. Therefore, when we ride together, she will use one of our grooms.”
Marrow started to ride off, and Leo called out to him. “Wait a moment if you will.” He glanced at Theo. “I am going to invite him to break his fast with me so that I can speak with him alone.”
“What an excellent idea.”
He could die happily if she would look at him like that more often.
His friend joined them. “What is it?”
“If you will go with me to escort Lady Theo home, I thought you could join me for breakfast.”
“Thank you. That’s a wonderful idea. My mother wants to speak with me, but she will not be down for a few hours yet.”
“Well, then. Let us go.”
They fell in on either side of Theo as they continued their way.
They were almost at the square when it occurred to Leo that one possible problem with his plan to wed her might exist. He separated them a bit from his friend. “Are you thinking of finding a suitable mate this Season?”
She appeared a bit surprised. “That is the purpose of a come out.”
As unhelpful responses went, that was one of the most unaccommodating. “Meaning?”
Her dark brows slanted down. “If I find someone, then yes. But I am in no hurry.”
Bloody hellhounds! He’d really not expected that answer. For a second, he wished she was more like other young ladies, but then he wouldn’t be interested in her. He’d simply have to find a way to make her want him for a husband.
He helped Theo down from her horse and walked with her to the door. “Until tea.”
“Yes. Until then.” The door opened and she stepped inside.
Leo joined Marrow and rode to his house on Park Street. “You seemed interested in Miss Pettigrew.”
Marrow was quiet for several moments. “I am. Do you know, Chandos, I never believed in love at first sight, and I still might not, but she attracts me as no other lady has. I feel at home with her. She is not silly or interested in my rank. It was an oddly comforting feeling being treated like a man and not a title.”
“In that case, you had better get your financials together. You can afford a wife, can’t you?”
“I can.” He laughed. “Even without the allowance I receive from my father, I can afford to marry.”
“What about the estate? Is it in good condition?”
“It is.” Marrow stared at him. “You sound like you are her brother or father.”
“No, no.” Leo waved his hand. “I am considering marriage myself and getting ready for any questions of me.” He urged his stallion into a trot. “Come along. I’m famished.”
He should arrive at Worthington House early this afternoon to speak with Theo.