Chapter Fourteen
Before Theo went into dinner, she and Chandos had stopped by the secretary’s office and reviewed the contract. As she knew it would be, it was exactly as he wanted. The secretary assured him the document would be sent to Chandos House immediately.
She was interested that during the meal, he held conversations with the children, ranging from their favorite games to what they were studying in class.
He even got into a conversation with the girls on their plans to go on a Grand Tour and what they should visit.
Theo had never seen this side of him before.
Later, she and Mary met in Theo’s chamber.
“I am so glad you are here.” It finally struck Theo how lost she had been without her sister.
“I am happy I came as well.” Mary’s countenance was solemn. “I almost remained in the country. Then Dotty had the idea to bring Martha to Town.”
“You would have deserted me?” Theo did not know what to think about such an idea of abandonment.
“Theo, both of us have to work out a way to go on with different lives.”
How did she continue to forget that? Perhaps because she was not seriously looking for a husband. “You are right. I just do not like it.”
“It is the way of life.” Mary was quiet for a few seconds. “I like Chandos a great deal.”
“He is becoming a good friend.” Until the Season began in earnest, and he too went his own way. “Unfortunately, he has a number of habits I will not abide.” Then she remembered that her sister and the others were not supposed to have arrived until later. “What made you come today?”
“Oriana and Dotty originally thought it would be easier to travel more slowly.” Mary grinned. “But neither of them really like slow travel. We were going to stay at Alice and St. Albans’s estate, but by the time we were at the turnoff, they decided to continue to Town.”
“Will you be allowed to attend Lady Thornhill’s viewing tomorrow?”
“No.” Mary shook her head. “Grace said that it will be more like an afternoon salon or soirée, and it would not be proper.”
And that was it in a nutshell. Mary would be allowed to participate in very few, if any, of the activities which Theo was attending. Chandos was right. “I am very glad Martha was able to come to Town.”
Tears filled Mary’s eyes, but she nodded. “I am as well. It will make this Season much easier.”
Theo reached over and embraced her sister. They stayed that way for a long time. “I will always be here for you. Even if I do find a gentleman and wed.”
Mary wiped her eyes. “What do you mean ‘even if you do wed’? You will find the right gentleman and you will marry him.”
“I shall try.” More than that, Theo could not promise. Other than Augusta, Theo did not believe any of her sisters had been so pococurante about marriage.
Mary yawned. “I am for my bed. It has been a long, tiring day.”
“I agree.” It had been an emotionally exhausting day. “Will you be allowed to ride with me in the morning?”
She shook her head again. “No. As you and I did, Martha and I will ride ante-noon.” She smiled. “Sedately and properly chaperoned.”
“Ugh. I will see you at breakfast.”
“You will.” Mary jumped off the bed and went to the door. “Good night.”
“Good night to you.”
Payne entered as Mary left. “Let’s get you to bed. The sun is rising earlier each day, and you need your sleep.”
Theo supposed she should start taking the Season more seriously. Dark circles under her eyes would not be acceptable.
The next morning, Theo was mounting Epione when Chandos rode up and executed the most elegant bow she had ever seen from the back of a horse. “Good morning, my lady.”
“Good morn to you. That was nicely done.” She turned her mare toward Hill Street.
“It occurred to me that using the social graces I possess would be useful.” He caught up to her and rode by her side. Mick and the other groom followed behind.
Useful for what? What did it matter? “Yes. I came to something of the same conclusion last night after Mary and I spoke.”
Chandos directed a sympathetic look toward Theo. “What did you talk about?”
“She made it clear that our activities this Season will not often cross paths. She also told me that it was my duty to find a gentleman to marry.”
That was excellent news. One of his major difficulties with her was that she hadn’t been certain that she wanted to wed. “What did you think about that?”
“Augusta was the only other of us who had not wished to marry.”
“Because she wanted to attend university.” Leo watched as Theo bit her bottom lip, and he wished he could kiss it.
“Yes. I, on the other hand, do not have that excuse. In fact, the only reason I had was that Mary would not be able to come out with me.” Theo shrugged lightly. “It was rather silly, actually.”
“I don’t believe that.” He infused his voice with as much certainty as he could.
“I think what you have been feeling is understandable. Every time I visited when you and she were there together, you were like two peas in a pod. Always together. Always whispering.” She glanced at him, and he grinned.
“You were right when you said it was good that she has a friend with her.”
“And so do you. Isn’t that the reason you befriended Miss Pettigrew? Deep down you knew you did not want to be alone?”
Theo’s rosy lips formed a thin line, but her expression was thoughtful. “Charlotte was the one who suggested it, but yes. I agreed because I thought we could help one another.”
They were in sight of the Pettigrew residence. “Look who is here before us.”
Theo’s eyes widened. “Marrow. Did you know he would be here?”
“No. However, it doesn’t surprise me.” They slowed their horses. “It also wouldn’t surprise me if there is a betrothal announcement soon.”
“That would be lovely.” Theo’s smile was a bit wistful. Whether it was for her friend or for herself he didn’t know. Still, with Sarah taken care of, Theo could turn her talents to another lady or perhaps a gentleman who required help.
“I think so as well.” If only it could be the same with her and him. Then again, he’d agreed that she needed to have a Season. “Let’s join them.”
They rode to the gate together and were happy to find the Park empty. As before he and Theo raced to the oak tree. Asclepius still showed no disposition to race ahead of the mare. “My mother received an invitation to the viewing today.”
Theo gave him a droll look. “This private viewing is becoming larger and larger. Will you escort her?”
“I thought I’d come to Worthington House, and we could travel over with your family. I wonder if Oriana has received an invitation.”
“I do not know.” Theo tilted her head to the side. “I rather doubt it, but the card Grace received instructed her to bring the family. That includes Charlie and Oriana.”
“I suppose it must.” They walked their horses toward the Serpentine. “Almack’s is this week. Is there anything else?”
“The first ball of the Season at Lady Harrington’s.”
Leo hoped he had received a card. If not, he’d contact the lady’s husband and request one. Then he remembered a piece of advice he’d been given. “May I have the supper dance?”
Theo gave him an odd look. I was a combination of curiosity and disbelief. “Yes, you may.”
“Excellent.” He wanted to pat himself on the back, but this was a small step. They reached Marrow and Miss Pettigrew. “Are you attending the Harrington ball?”
Her face lit up. “We are. Lady Worthington has been so kind in informing her friends that we are in Town.”
Marrow glanced at Leo. “I’ll have to see if I’ve received an invitation.” Marrow directed his attention to Miss Pettigrew. “If I have been invited, I would be honored to stand up with you.”
A blush rose to her face. “I accept.”
He glanced at Theo. “And you as well, my lady.”
Theo appeared pleased. Even though she must have known it would be offered. “You may have any set but the supper dance.”
“The first country set.” Marrow waited for her assent, then turned to Miss Pettigrew. “The supper dance sounds like an excellent one for us.”
“I agree.”
Leo was bound to request a set from the lady as well. “May I have your first country set?”
“You may, your grace.”
By the end of the rather inane conversation, they were all smiling. Gone were the days when he could simply tell a whore that he was her next partner. When he and Theo were betrothed, he’d be able to commandeer all her dances. Albeit with her permission.
The four of them headed for the gate.
Theo leaned over. “Are you joining us for breakfast this morning?”
“I wish I could. But Whiting is coming over at ten, and I must prepare for that.”
“Yes.” She gave him an encouraging look. “That is more important.”
Leo wouldn’t normally agree. But he did need a secretary. “When are you leaving for the viewing?”
“After tea. You and your mother can join us.”
“I must ask her. I will send a note.”
They left Miss Pettigrew and Marrow at her house, and Leo rode on to Berkeley Square with Theo. Instead of allowing her to dismount herself, he clasped his hands around her waist, and she slid down so close to his body that it was hard to let her go. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“Until then.” He thought she sounded slightly out of breath, but it could have been his imagination.
Bloody hellhounds. Was he grasping at straws?
How could he know what she thought? He remounted his horse and glanced over to where she stood.
Above her, movement in a window caught his attention.
Had someone been watching them? If so, who?
And did it matter? He didn’t have time to be distracted.
What he needed to do was to discover if he had been invited to the Harrington ball and find out how to ensure that he’d receive cards for all the events to which Theo was invited.
Would his mother know? Of course she would.
Still, this was the first time she’d been in Town since his father died.
For a moment, the pain of that death seized Leo’s heart, and he had trouble breathing.
God, how he missed him. The one thing Leo did know was that Papa would approve of the changes Leo had made, and of his intended bride.
He arrived home and threw the reins to a groom. The door was opened when he reached the steps. “Is her grace still in her chambers?”
“Yes, your grace. She has asked to be informed when you arrive home.”
“Please tell her that I will bathe and join her for breakfast.”
Hoover bowed. “Yes, your grace.”
Taking the stairs two by two, Leo reached his apartments and was pleased to find a bath being drawn in the bathing chamber his father had added.
Matson assisted him with his coat and boots, and Leo stripped off his clothing. “How did you know I’d be home?”
“You have an early meeting.”
That made sense. “Excellent man.” Leo sank into the large bathtub. Scrubbed himself. And waited for his valet to pour water over him. “I’m joining my mother for breakfast.”
No sooner had he spoken the words when a bucket of water sluiced over him.
He arrived in the breakfast room at the same time as Mama. “Good morning.”
“Good morning to you, my dear.” She held several cards. “I have invitations to discuss with you.”
“Have you received one from Lady Harrington?”
A line formed between his mother’s eyes. “Let me look. The name does not sound familiar.”
“If not, I’ll speak to Lord Harrington.”
Mama frowned. “Harrington, Harrington. That is Lady Markham’s son, is it not?”
Leo, having taken a bite of eggs and ham, chewed quickly and swallowed. “Yes.”
“I am going to her at home today. I will ask her if I can procure an invitation.” She shuffled through the cards.
“Actually, it appears as if I must make the rounds. I renewed my acquaintance with several ladies at the soirée, but clearly, not enough of them.” She smiled at him.
“Perhaps I should speak with Lady Worthington about which events she is planning to attend.”
“Will that not be obvious?”
His mother’s chin rose. “Not the way I will ask.”
He could only nod. This really was her milieu, not his. “I’ll leave it to you. Whiting is arriving in”—Leo opened his pocket watch and looked at it—“less than an hour.” It was amazing how quickly time passed when one was busy. “I hope we can come to terms.”
“You must have a contract,” Mama said.
“Theo helped me with it yesterday. It’s in my study.”
“I am growing more and more interested in meeting her.”
That’s what Leo was afraid of. He hoped his mother didn’t scare Theo off.
Mary turned from the window to find Grace behind her. “He is very attentive of her.”
Grace nodded her agreement. “We all think it would be a good match.”
“You mean everyone except Theo.” Mary understood Theo’s concerns about Chandos’s past behavior.
It was a shame Chandos could not have approached her earlier, giving him more time for Theo to get to know the man he was becoming.
That he could not was making his path much more difficult.
On the other hand, he had agreed that he must wait until she was out.
“Indeed. I am afraid she will listen to the rumors surrounding his reputation and prior actions.”
“I am sure she will.” Mary turned to go downstairs. “I will help where I can.” This was not going to be easy.
Her sister put her hand on her shoulder. “I know you will. I simply do not know if any of our assistance will work.”
Neither did Mary. Theo had very definite ideas about what she wanted in a husband. And about what she did not want. Chandos would have to tread carefully but firmly if he wanted to win her hand.