Chapter Eight
“Well, that was embarrassing.” Theo had thought, or she had wanted to think, that she would be able to treat Chandos differently than other gentlemen. She supposed she should have known better.
“What was?” He appeared confused.
“Being told that I cannot address you by your title in public.”
“Oh, that. Well, if I’d actually given it any thought, I might have suggested you address me with more formality.” He shook his head. “But probably not. I’ve become used to it. It’s as if we have to pretend we don’t know each other.”
“That is it exactly. I might have known if I had been raised in places where there were boys my age or slightly older and was instructed on the matter. I shall have to ask Grace.” She wondered, “Were you never told to change how you address a young lady?”
His dark brows furrowed. “I really didn’t know any. Other than my sisters that is.”
“We are a pair.” How could they have both been so ignorant? “Well, we know now.”
“You called me the Duke of Chandos when you asked if Miss Pettigrew remembered me.”
“Yes, but that was only because I was not certain how familiar she is with Debrett’s.
I am well aware that Ladies Bellamny and Cowper know everyone.
” Theo might have to have more than one talk with Grace.
“I have been being introduced to the ton since I was a child. It never occurred to me I would make a mistake.”
“Ah. Now I understand the problem.” He sounded as if he’d made a discovery. “You know everyone and have for a long time. However, you have moved into a different category and must behave slightly differently.”
He really was astute at times. “Exactly. I must be more careful.”
“We will both be more cautious.” Chandos grinned at her.
They really were getting on quite well. Theo glanced around to see who else she knew was there and noticed a matron staring at them. “Do you know who that lady in the red landau is?”
He glanced quickly to the side. “No. I don’t recognize her.”
“I wonder who she is and why she is staring at us.”
“I have been on the Town for years, but I rarely attend many events.” He frowned. “I should say, events that ladies attend.”
“You are now. Is it because of your mother?” Other than the fact that Chandos was Charlie’s friend, Theo really did not know much about him.
“Partly. I have other reasons as well. This is the first Season she’s been here since my father died.”
Theo knew his father was deceased, but nothing else about it. “When did he pass on?”
“Shortly after I returned from the Continent.” He was silent for a second. “I did not take it well.”
“That is understandable. I do not remember my father. I think Matt experienced some form of behaving badly when Papa died. Yet, he has always been more of a father to me than a brother.” She wondered if her brother would ever tell her about it.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. I think many men do. I suppose it’s a way of grieving.” Chandos drove forward as the carriage in front of them moved. “For most of us, it is a drastic transition.”
“I imagine it must be. Men inherit the title and estates, or business. They are suddenly responsible for everyone. Grace is the only lady I know who experienced that sort of obligation when her parents died.”
He nodded. “Stanwood told me about it. He said she kept all his brothers and sisters together instead of allowing them to be divided up among their relatives.”
Theo had not understood what a huge accomplishment it was until she was older. “Yes. She is remarkable. I’m glad Grace and Matt married. Before then, he used to go away for weeks at a time. After they wed, he stayed home.”
Chandos had been looking ahead at traffic, then he glanced at Theo. “Sometimes there needs to be a reason to change.”
Was that what Chandos was searching for? A reason? But to do what? Not be a rake? Perhaps there was something she could do to help. Charlotte might have some ideas. Theo glanced up to see they were leaving the Park. Had she truly not seen anyone else she knew? Or had she ignored them?
“Ices?” he asked in a light tone.
“Yes, please. I hope they have some savory ones. They usually do.”
“You mean you hope they have a champagne ice.” He grinned at Theo, and suddenly her chest seemed tighter.
“That or perhaps white wine.” Yet, the champagne ice was excellent.
A waiter ran up to them when they parked on the verge in front of the building. “Would you like to hear our special ices for the day?”
“We would,” Chandos responded. “Please start with your savory ones.”
“Lavender, white wine, Parmesan, and ambergris.”
“All of them sound interesting.” Theo seemed so fascinated Leo wanted to laugh. “I will try the Parmesan.”
“For you, sir?”
“The lavender.” He glanced at her. “If you like, we can each taste the other’s ice.”
“Yes. That is what Mary and I do. Although, she likes the sweeter ones better.” Theo’s expression saddened.
He was starting to consider writing to Stanwood and asking when he planned to come to Town. Leo hated to see Theo in distress. In the meantime, he had to find ways to cheer her. “The ices in Italy are called gelato. They’re wonderful. I hope you can try them someday.”
“I do as well. Maybe I will be allowed to visit Augusta.” Theo clapped her hand to her mouth. “Forget I said that. No one is to know where they are.”
Leo had heard about the problems Phinn and Augusta were having with his sister-in-law, the marchioness. The couple’s location was a closely held secret in the family. “I’ll not tell anyone.”
“Thank you. I must guard my tongue more carefully.” Theo looked so guilty that he decided to take pity on her.
“I was there when the plans were made.”
Her eyes widened. “You knew?”
“Yes. I believe I am the only outsider to be aware of their location.” Leo was about to take her hands when the waiter returned with their ices.
“Let’s try these.” She scooped some onto her spoon and took a bite. “It is different, but tasty. It reminds me of a cheesecake I once ate. What of yours?”
He’d been concentrating so much on her, he’d forgotten to sample his own. He ate a spoonful. “Very good. Do you want to taste it?”
“Yes.” Smiling, she nodded. He held the spoon to her lips, and almost groaned as she took it into her mouth. “It is very good. Here, taste some of mine.”
This was going to kill him, but he’d die a happy man. She touched the spoon to his lips, and he opened his mouth and ate the ice. Although, he’d rather be tasting her lips. “Excellent.”
They were finishing their ices when Leo remembered to look at the time. Her family generally dined early. Flipping open his pocket watch, he saw it was shortly after six o’clock. “I must take you home for dinner.”
Theo’s eyes widened and the guilty look was back. “I completely forgot about the time.”
“It’s no matter. I’ll have you there in a trice.”
“Would you like to join us? There is always room for one more.”
Some of the best times of his life were when he dined with her family. “I would be honored.”
Giselle scowled as she turned away from watching the carriage from a window in Gunter’s. “I cannot believe she is riding with the Duke of Chandos! How would he even know her? There have not yet been any balls or other events where she could meet him. This has to be stopped.”
“It is strange.” Lana peered out the window where the carriage was stopped. “I wonder if he is a friend of the family. That would explain it.”
“It would.” Giselle tried to calm herself. The duke would be hers. “If that is the case, once there are other things to do, he will see that he no longer needs to spend time with her.”
“The first assembly at Almack’s is next week,” Lana said. “I have heard that his mother received vouchers. He will most likely escort her.”
“Yes.” Giselle smiled at her friend. “Of course, you are correct. I will find a way to have him introduced to me. And he will ask me to stand up with him.”
“Exactly!” Lana clapped her hands together. “That should not be difficult.”
Not at all. “I will enlist my brother’s help. He will do it for me.”
“Oh, look! Miss Pettigrew is driving down the street with Lord Marrow.”
“Where?” Giselle tightened her lips as his curricle drew up next to Chandos’s carriage. “How did she meet him, and why did he offer to drive her in the Park?”
“I have no idea.” Lana shook her head. “They appear as if they are enjoying one another’s company.”
“Be that as it may, I do not like her.” Giselle rubbed her forehead. She would have a headache if she did not calm herself. “You should be with Lord Marrow.” He would be perfect for her friend. And take him away from Miss Pettigrew.
“He is handsome.” Lana appeared worried. “But how would I ever meet him?”
“The same why I am going to have the duke presented to me. My brother.”
“If you think he would do it.” She sounded unsure.
“I know he will.” Mama expressly wanted him in Town to do just that. And to help watch over Giselle. “He will arrive within the next day or two. Before Almack’s first assembly at any rate.”
“Very well then. If you think it will work.” Her friend’s smile faded when she glanced out the window again. “If he has not already formed an attachment to Miss Pettigrew.”
“I do not know how it would be possible. After all, there are not many opportunities for them to meet until next week. But if he has, I shall think of something.”
Just as Leo picked up the reins, Marrow drove up with Miss Pettigrew. “I see we were not the only ones with a good idea. Lady Theo and I can attest to both the Parmesan and lavender ices.”
“Indeed,” Theo chimed in. “They are both excellent. We would stay, but I have to go home. We dine early because of the children.”
Marrow glanced at Leo. “I must take Miss Pettigrew back soon as well. Where are you going afterward?”
“I’m dining with Lady Theo and her family.” He could not help but to grin.
Marrow glanced at Miss Pettigrew and smiled. “I am dining out as well this evening. But a bit later I believe.”
Her lips curved up. “Yes, at seven. Although, I have to admit that dinner at my house will not be nearly as entertaining as at Worthington House.” She glanced around and her smile faded.
“Lady Giselle and Lady Lana are in Gunter’s watching us. They just looked away.”
“They know that they were caught staring.” The only time he’d heard Theo’s voice be harder was after she’d thrown water on him.
Leo stopped himself from glancing at the shop. “Lady Giselle?” Both Theo and Miss Pettigrew nodded. “My mother told me to be careful around her.”
Theo glanced at Leo, her brows forming a line between her eyes. “She is just out. How could she have gained a reputation of any kind so soon?”
He shook his head, trying to remember the exact conversation. He’d been much too distracted by thinking of Theo at the time. “Something about her mother wanting her to make a brilliant match. Or was it her mother that had made an excellent match in some way?”
“That sounds ominous,” Marrow said. “In that case, I’d keep my distance from her friend as well. Birds of a feather and all that.”
“To be forewarned is to be forearmed.” Theo placed her hand on Leo’s arm, making him even more aware of her than he already was. “We must be going.”
“Yes, of course.” He started forward. “Enjoy your ices.”
A groom was waiting when they arrived at Worthington House, but he got to Theo before the servant did. “Allow me.”
She looked at him in confusion and held out her hand.
Instead of taking it, he placed his hands around her waist and lowered her to the ground.
She sucked in a breath that was music to Leo’s ears.
She might be the least green of any young lady coming out this year, but she was still an innocent.
Before she could speak, he held out his arm. “Shall we?”
Her answer was a silent nod.
They reached the open door and Thorton bowed.
“I take it you are joining the family for dinner. Please follow Jeffers to a chamber where you can refresh yourself.” The butler looked at Theo.
“My lady, your maid is waiting. Dinner will be announced in about twenty minutes. Please join the family in the blue drawing room.”
“Grace must have held dinner back,” Theo murmured. “I’ll wait for you on the landing.”
“Thank you.” Leo imbued his voice with feeling. “I have no idea where the blue drawing room is located.”
She grinned like he knew she would. “I will show you. But only this time.”
“Then I’m on my own. I see. No special treatment for dukes.”
Theo chuckled. “As if you did not know that already.”
Leo rushed through his toilet and tried to reach the landing before she arrived, but she made it there before him. “Lead the way, my lady.”
She took his arm as they descended the stairs then turned to the right as if they were going to the morning room.
They had only taken a few steps when he heard voices from an open door.
It appeared as if the children were already down.
As they entered the parlor, it was clear that all their parents were there as well.
“Good evening.” Theo seemed to float into the room.
“I pushed dinner back a bit. Fortunately, Jacque is used to it this time of year.”
“We saw you going to Gunter’s,” Hugh said.
Theo accepted a glass of sherry from Worthington, and Leo was handed one as well.
“That would explain how you knew we were going to be a bit late coming home,” Leo answered the lad.
“Chandos.” Kenilworth clapped Leo on the back. “Welcome. I’ve wondered how you’ve been doing.”
He slid a glance at Theo. “I’m not quite sure yet.”
“Well, it can take time.” Kenilworth looked at his wife, who was conversing with Louisa Rothwell and Theo. “Some roads are harder than others.”
That was nothing Leo didn’t know. “I was glad to be invited. I just wish I knew if it meant anything.”
Kenilworth shrugged. “I wish I could tell you.”