Chapter Six #2
“I don’t see anything to which m’father could object.” He took a drink and set the cup down. “I suppose I’ll get a better idea when I meet her mother this afternoon.”
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about there.” Lady Pettigrew couldn’t be more different from her husband. “What are you getting up to this Season?”
Marrow shrugged. “I was going to look for a mistress to set up, but I won’t if I am courting Miss Pettigrew. You?”
“My days of Seasonal mistresses are a thing of the past. My only goal is to convince Lady Theo to marry me.”
Marrow looked surprised. “I can’t suppose that will be too difficult. You are a duke and warm enough to keep a wife with the elegancies.”
As if that mattered to her. “You don’t know Theo.
She doesn’t care about rank or great wealth.
Her brother will make sure no one who cannot support her will be allowed an introduction, but nor will he attempt to influence her choice.
Aside from that, I need to be careful in courting her.
She’s not impressed with my former self. ”
“You really are taken with her.” He shook his head as if amazed. “I actually never thought I’d see the day.”
If only he knew. “I would do anything to make her my wife. She is not a perfect person. None of us are. But she’s perfect for me.”
His friend laughed. “What made you decide that?”
“Last summer not long before Stanwood wed. She found me passed out when I was supposed to be helping. She threw a pail of water on me, then proceeded to give me the best set-down I’ve ever had. And she wasn’t even out yet.”
Marrow went into whoops. “Well, that wouldn’t suit me, but I can see how she is just what you need. Give me a lady who is calm and steady.”
Leo raised his cup. “Such as Miss Pettigrew.”
“It seems that might be so.” His friend raised his cup as well. “Good luck to the both of us.” Marrow gave Leo a narrow-eyed look. “All this talk of finances doesn’t have anything to do with your future wife, does it?”
Leo had made a mull out of that. “Theo is very protective of her friends. Especially ones who she considers rather green.”
“You, my friend, are going to be led a pretty dance before this is all over.” Marrow pushed back his chair and stood.
“Trust me.” It was becoming clearer every day. “I am well aware of that fact. I’ll go along as long as it gets me what I want.”
Theo in his life and in his bed. As his wife and duchess.
Leo arrived about twenty minutes earlier than the appointed time. A footman opened the door. He handed the man his card. “I am here to see Lady Theo.”
The footman stepped aside. “Please come in, your grace. I will inquire if she is receiving.”
The servant handed the card to a younger footman and the lad dashed up the stairs. A few minutes later, he ran back down them. “Her ladyship said she’ll be here in a few minutes.” The lad glanced at the older footman. “We’re to take him to the morning room.”
The servant bowed. “If you will follow me.”
Leo was led to a large room at the back of the house overlooking a garden, decorated much more for comfort than for style.
It exuded a feeling of warmth. What seemed like dozens of children were running around outside with two Great Danes.
Theo’s nieces and nephews. He recognized some of them from this past year.
“Good afternoon, Chandos.” Theo had entered the room without him hearing her. “The nice thing about having a double house is that the garden is sufficiently large to allow vigorous play. It is important for both boys and girls to exercise.”
Interesting. He definitely did not remember his sisters being allowed to tear around either the house or the garden. “I never thought of it. Are they all related to you?”
“No.” Her lush lips tilted up at the ends. “Some of them are the children we take in in order to train. They all have academic lessons in the morning and after luncheon. Then, as you see, playtime. After tea, there is practice of some sort for everyone.”
Interesting. “Will they all join us for tea?”
“Only my nieces and nephews. The others will have tea in the servants’ dining room.”
Not completely egalitarian then. “I have spoken to Marrow about his finances. He assures me they are in excellent condition. I’m afraid I was not very delicate about the matter.
He asked me if I was asking because of Miss Pettigrew.
” Leo gave Theo his best innocent look. “I told him that you were very protective of your friends.”
She cast her gaze at the ceiling and laughed. “That has the benefit of being the truth.”
“I think it helped. He told me that he was quite interested in her and was looking forward to meeting her mother.” He wanted to take Theo’s hands. “He wants to assure himself that his father will have no objection. I did my best to reassure him. After all, Lady Pettigrew is good ton.”
“She is indeed.” Theo smiled. “We have all got to know them much better over the past year.” She glanced out the window. “I hope finding a suitable husband for her is this easy.”
Leo wanted to keep the conversation going. “What is her dowry? I told Marrow it was adequate, but I have no idea.”
“That’s a valid question. I shall endeavor to discover the information. I do know that Matt will act in her father’s stead if there is an offer of marriage.”
“I suppose he will be the one to give permission for the marriage as well.” Even Leo’s limited knowledge of Lord Pettigrew led him to believe the man would never trust a female, even his wife, to handle that type of responsibility.
“Well, that’s certainly what her father expects. My brother, however, will defer to her ladyship.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” The respect for the ladies in the family was one of the reasons he had been drawn to first Stanwood and then the whole family. And especially Theo.
She tilted her head and gave him a curious look. “I am not sure I would have thought you were so progressive.”
“I wasn’t raised that way. But I’ve learned a lot from Stanwood and the other gentlemen in your family.”
“Have you taken your seat in the Lords yet?”
Leo knew that question was bound to be posed. “Taken my seat, yes. Been active, no.”
“Matt and the others have formed a group to discuss legislation and gather other peers to vote their way. You should ask him about it.”
“That sounds like a good idea. I will.” It would also make Theo think better of him. He couldn’t regret that she had caught him under the hatches. If she hadn’t, he never would have known that she was the one for him. He had come to regret that she thought poorly of him because of it.