Chapter Fifteen
Theo waited in the hall, dressed in what she had been assured was a very stylish carriage gown in pale yellow with a matching spencer.
“Are you excited?” Mary asked.
“I am.” Theo could not hide how much she looked forward to the viewing. “It will be my first adult event.”
Grace entered the hall from the corridor to her study. “Are you ready?”
Surely this was not everyone. “Where are the others?”
“Your sisters and the gentlemen will meet us there.” Grace pulled on her gloves.
The doorbell chimed, and Thorton opened the front door. A footman stood there. “His grace of Chandos and the Dowager Duchess of Chandos have arrived. His grace would like to know if you would do him the honor of riding with him.”
Theo glanced around the footman at the large town coach standing in front of the house.
Her sister appeared to be in thought. “Yes. We will be happy to ride with him and the duchess.” She turned to Thorton. “Please inform the stables that I will require the carriage to arrive at Thornhill House in two hours.”
“Yes, my lady.” He bowed.
Theo did not understand. “Why two hours?”
“That will be sufficient time to view the artifacts and converse with the other guests.” Grace raised a brow. “One does not wish to be the last to depart.”
“I suppose that makes sense.” In a strange way.
“Good afternoon.” Chandos had replaced the footman. “Allow me to escort you to the coach.”
Normally, Theo would simply take his arm, but she had to wait for her sister.
“Thank you.” Grace took one arm, Theo took the other.
Naturally, he assisted Grace into the vehicle first, then Theo. Grace took the seat next to the duchess and Theo sat next to Chandos.
“Mother.” He motioned with his head to the duchess. “May I introduce you to Lady Worthington and her sister Lady Theo Vivers?”
Turning slightly, her grace smiled politely at Grace. “I believe I knew your mother, Lady Stanwood. She was a few years older than I, but I remember her being very kind to a girl just out.”
“Yes, I have been told that.” Grace returned the smile. “I only hope that I am half as good-natured as she was.”
Then the duchess glanced at Theo. “Good afternoon. I suppose this must be your first real event. I trust you are prepared for it.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you.” She had the distinct feeling that Chandos’s mother did not like her for some reason. Theo assumed a polite smile. “I am, your grace.” She would have thanked the duchess for inquiring, but it had been a statement, not a question.
Chandos caught her attention, cut a look at his mother, and almost rolled his eyes. “Well, then. Now that the formalities are out of the way, I propose we enjoy the rest of the afternoon.”
“I understand the viewing will be well attended,” the duchess said as she adjusted her shawl.
“That is my impression as well,” Grace responded. A small smile played around her lips. “I believe we will all know several of the guests.”
The faint crease between the duchess’s brows deepened. “Including your sisters?”
Once again, Theo pasted a polite smile on her countenance. “Indeed, your grace. My married sisters and their husbands are attending as is my brother Stanwood and his wife.”
“As well as Marrow, Miss Pettigrew, and Lady Pettigrew,” Chandos added. A twinkle entered his eyes. “I would be surprised if we did not see Lady Bellamny and Lady Cowper.”
Was he teasing his mother? “I would be as well.”
“I have not seen Emily Cowper for years,” his mother said. “I do hope you are correct.” Then the duchess’s eyes narrowed at Theo. “How do you know Lady Cowper?”
“My sister knows all the Patronesses,” Grace inserted smoothly. “Although she is just now out, all my younger sisters were with us during the Seasons. I made certain to take them out for rides during the Fashionable Hour. Lady Bellamny has been a family friend all my life.”
“I see.” The duchess appeared not confused, but as if she had the wind taken out of her sails.
This had been a strangely stilted conversation. Fortunately, it was over. They had arrived at Thornhill House.
A footman opened the door and bowed. Chandos jumped down and handed out first Grace, then his mother, and Theo. Grace and the duchess linked arms and proceeded up the steps.
Chandos took Theo’s arm. “Don’t allow her to worry you. She can be a bit of a dragon.”
“She does not bother me at all. Although, I do have the feeling that she does not like me for some reason. Does she give that impression to most younger ladies?”
“I have no idea.” He pulled a face.
“When you decide to wed, I suggest you warn the lady you choose.”
His lips were suddenly too close to her ear and a shiver ran down her neck. “If she can frighten a lady, then that lady is not meant for me.”
Theo shook off the feeling. “I suppose you are correct. She will, after all, be a duchess.”
“The first thing she has to be is a strong woman who is true to herself.”
Theo’s jaw almost dropped. She had never thought to hear such a sentiment from him. Yet, there was no time to respond. They had just reached Lady Thornhill, and Grace was waiting.
“My lady.” Grace motioned Theo forward. “Please meet my sister, Lady Theo Vivers.”
Lady Thornhill was a tall, slender woman dressed in a long red robe covered with flower embroidery.
Her silver hair was apparently held up with sticks.
She looked very much like some of the paintings Theo had seen on Chinese vases.
“I am delighted, my dear. You looked very much like your sister Rothwell.”
“Thank you, my lady.” Theo was happy to be able to give a genuine smile. “I am looking forward to seeing your artifacts.”
Lady Thornhill laughed lightly. “I must admit some of them are quite old, other things are what we thought interesting without regard to age.” She glanced at Chandos. “You must be the Duke of Chandos. Your mother said you were escorting Lady Theo.”
Smiling, he bowed and took her ladyship’s hand. “It is my privilege to be allowed to escort her, my lady. I am also delighted to meet you.”
Pink colored Lady Thornhill’s cheeks. “You, sir, are making me blush.”
Lord Thornhill, who had been silent until now, chuckled, and put his hand on his wife’s arm. “No flirting with my lady. You save that for the young, unmarried ones.”
She tapped his arm with her fan. “Reginald.” Before Theo and Chandos left, Lady Thornhill leaned over to Theo and whispered, “Keep that one.”
If they had had time, Theo would have assured her ladyship that she had no designs on him, but Grace was motioning for them to move along.
Leo had caught what Lady Thornhill said to Theo.
And he’d seen her expression of surprise.
She really did not know he intended to make her his wife.
He’d suspected it, but that look of surprise impressed it upon him as nothing else had been able to.
His mother, who was speaking with a matron who was accompanied by a young lady, attempted to get his attention.
He’d told her he wasn’t interested in meeting other women, and, it appeared, she had decided to ignore him.
He inclined his head to acknowledge her, and moved on, staying close to Theo and Lady Worthington.
Footmen carried around various drinks and foods.
He secured Theo a lemonade and himself a glass of claret.
Shrimps that had been coated with some kind of batter and held together by sticks were offered and they both accepted.
He glanced around. The large hall reminded him of a medieval castle with rooms and corridors off of it.
Each room was decorated differently. “Where shall we begin?”
Theo chewed and swallowed. “These shrimps are excellent. I wonder what the batter is. It is very light.”
“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I suppose we could ask. Does one parlor speak to you over another?”
A footman arrived, and she deposited the stick on his tray. “Let us start at the first room and visit them in order.”
That was his Theo. Ever organized. “The blue room it is.” As they walked in, he was immediately transported to Greece. “I can’t believe this.”
“What?” Her lapis eyes gazed up at him.
“The mural on the wall looks exactly like some of the villages I visited in Greece.” He strolled around, amazed that the inside of a house had been brought to life. “The pots and textiles, the floor and wall tiles. They are all authentic.”
Theo’s eyes widened as she scanned the room. “They really made a room that replicates a Greek house?”
He nodded. “The furniture. Everything.”
The expression of amazement on her beautiful face made him want to hold her in his arms. “I would love to see this in Greece.”
“You should have the opportunity.” Leo had, of course, heard about her nieces’ plans for a Grand Tour. He now wished she’d had the opportunity. “Shall we visit another country?”
“Yes.” Her face was bright with excitement. “Let us.”
It was as if they were moving around the Mediterranean countries. Then they left Europe and moved to Egypt, India, and Asia. From what he could see, the most complete parlors were of Japan and China. When did the Thornhills do all that traveling?
Leo and Theo were in India when Kenilworth and his wife found them.
“We have been searching for you,” Lady Kenilworth said.
Kenilworth raised a brow at Leo. “Your mother’s been looking for you as well.”
Of course she was. “She can look to her heart’s content. Where did you last see her?”
“In Portugal,” Lady Kenilworth replied. “Why are you avoiding her?”
“She keeps trying to introduce me to young ladies.” The words were out before he’d thought about them.
“You must know that Chandos does not wish to wed,” Theo said nonchalantly as she studied a little statue of a goddess with three breasts.
Her sister gave him a look that clearly asked, now what are you going to do?
“What do you think she does with three of them?” Theo mused.
Leo shrugged. “Maybe she always has twins or three babies.”
“No.” She shook her head. “If she wanted to feed twins by herself, she would need four breasts.”
Kenilworth turned his back to them, his shoulders shaking.
His wife gave him a disgruntled look. “They are probably meant as symbols. When you see Lady Thornhill, you should ask her.”
“Good God!” Kenilworth blurted out. “Not in company. Write her a note.”
Theo stared at him as if he’d lost his mind. “I am quite up to snuff enough to know not to say something like that in public. Thank you very much.”
Behind them someone coughed. “Excuse me, but I couldn’t help overhearing. She is the goddess Meenakshi. She was a Hindu warrior goddess. It was said that the third … er … breast would disappear when she met a man worthy to be her husband.”
“Thank you.” Theo beamed. “Now my brother-in-law does not have to worry about me saying something embarrassing in public.”
The gentleman bowed. “I am happy to be of help.” He glanced at his watch. “I must go. I hope you enjoy the rest of your visit.”
“Thank you,” Theo said. “It has been fascinating.”
“Please tell my aunt. She is always a bit concerned about what the young ladies think.”
He bowed again and left the room.
“That was strange,” Lady Kenilworth said. “I wonder why he did not introduce himself.”
Leo had no answer for that but decided to venture a thought. “Shy?”
“Or embarrassed that he was explaining a statue with three breasts to a young lady,” Kenilworth said.
Theo nodded. “That is much more likely. If he was shy, he would not have said anything.”
She was right. As usual. Leo looked at her sister. “Why were you looking for us?”
“To tell you that we will take you home. Grace received a message and had to leave.”
Theo glanced at him. “Have we seen everything?”
That was a good question. “I have no idea.” He looked at Kenilworth. “We have been all around the Mediterranean, Egypt, China, Japan, and here.”
“And been fed food and drink from each area,” Theo added.
“Russia,” Lady Kenilworth said. “That was my least favorite. There is a great deal of gold and not much else.”
“And dozens of young ladies,” Kenilworth whispered to Leo.
Theo lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “In that case, we can go if you wish.”
“I shall leave a note to my mother to take the coach.” They made their way to the hall, where Leo was provided with pen and paper. “Please find the Duchess of Chandos and give this to her.”
“Your grace.” The butler bowed. “She left you a message that she went home and took the coach.”
Theo covered her mouth and laughed lightly.
“I am glad we were in agreement.” Leo held his arm out for her.
She took it. “We still need to find Lady Thornhill and tell her we are leaving.”
“If you please, my lady. Her ladyship said that she does not expect anyone to search for her. I will pass on the message.”
“Thank you. Please tell her we had a wonderful time, and that her nephew was very helpful.”
“Lord Holland, my lady?” The servant seemed surprised. “I shall indeed tell her.”
A footman entered from the front door. “Lord and Lady Kenilworth’s carriage is waiting.”
Leo didn’t want to give Theo up. Riding with her in the mornings and seeing her at other times during the day was not enough.
“You forgot to tell me how your discussion with Mr. Whiting went.”
“Well.” Leo had forgotten all about it. “He is moving into quarters in my house for the nonce. We’ll see how it works out for both of us. Today, I left him hard at work on the correspondence that arrived.”
“Excellent.” She smiled as he handed her into the coach and followed. “Did he want to make any changes to the contract?”
“Not at all. He was very impressed by it.” He grinned. “Thank you. It always helps to have one’s employees and servants have a good opinion of one.”
“I have never heard that vocalized before.”
Probably because her family were all sensible of what was owed to those who worked for and depended on them. “Would you like to ride with me this afternoon?”
“I almost forgot,” Kenilworth said. “Your phaeton arrived complete with a pair of grays. I took the liberty of sending a footman with a message to have them ready when you arrive.”
She turned to Leo and smiled broadly. “Would you like to ride with me this afternoon?”
“Yes. Absolutely, I would.” All the world would see them together. Perhaps that would stop the idea that he could ever be interested in anyone else.