Chapter Sixteen
It was all Theo could do to keep from bouncing in her seat as they drew closer to Worthington House.
She had worked on the design for the carriage and was excited to see it completed.
The high-perched phaeton’s glossy, royal-blue body shone in the sun.
The trim was in gold, and the wheels were painted deep yellow.
The seats were in medium tan leather. Standing hitched to the carriage were two matched grays held by Mick.
Theo sucked in a breath and let it out. “It is even more beautiful than I thought it would be!”
“Look at that pair.” Chandos stared out the window of the coach. “Who selected them?”
“I would dearly love to take all the credit,” Con drawled.” But the truth of the matter is that I merely accompanied Lady Evesham to the gentleman who had them for sale. She was one who approved the purchase.”
Lady Evesham knew more about horseflesh than almost anyone. “I am glad she was there. She and Grace have been friends for years.”
“You, my dear, did an excellent job with the carriage.” Charlotte smiled at Theo. “Is that a place for packages and a fold-down seat in the back?”
“It is.” Theo could not wait to try it out. “In the event I wanted to drive it when I went shopping, I knew I would require a place for packages and a groom or footman.”
The coach stopped, and Chandos jumped out before the steps could be put down. He offered his hand to Theo, but when she took it, he wrapped his arm around her waist and swung her out. “Goodness.” She had to catch her breath. “That was unexpected.”
He gave her an enigmatic smile. “It was effective.”
Really, he should not have done that. “It must be. I am standing on the pavement.”
“Are you ready?” He placed her hand on his arm and led her to the carriage. “I shall help you in.”
Once again, the stairs had not been let down, and Theo did not feel like waiting. “Very well.”
He lifted her up and her feet found the floor of the carriage. Chandos did not let go until she was seated. “Thank you.” She hoped her voice did not sound as breathy to him as it did to her. The phaeton dipped as he climbed in. “Are you ready?”
Leaning back, he folded his arms over his chest. “When you are.”
The groom, holding the leader, glanced at her. When she nodded, he stepped away and she gave the pair their office. She started slowly then gained a bit of speed in order to feather the corner out of the square. As she knew they would, the grays had excellent action. “They are magnificent.”
“Whoever Lady Evesham is, she is an excellent judge of horseflesh.” From the corner of her eye, Theo caught Chandos glance at her. “I would like to make her acquaintance.”
“She will be at my come out ball.”
“Will I be invited?”
“I cannot see why you would not be.” She drove through the gate into the Park and took her place on Rotten Row. The first carriage they saw was Lady Bellamny’s. Theo pulled up beside her. “Good afternoon, my lady.”
“I see you finally got your phaeton.” Her ladyship pulled out a quizzing glass on a stick. “Very pretty driving. I saw you enter.” She leveled the glass at Chandos. “Are you brave or besotted, your grace?”
Theo was going to die of embarrassment. Why would her ladyship think he was besotted?
He inclined his head. “Lady Theo is an excellent driver, my lady.”
That was diplomatic. She gave Lady Bellamny a polite smile. “We will see you later.”
“Have a lovely ride.” She waved as a landau came up behind them.
“Do they handle as easily as they appear to?” Chandos grinned. “Or are you simply an excellent whip?”
As long as he was going to gammon her, she would respond in kind. “I am an excellent whip, of course.” His eyes filled with mirth, and she could understand how women would fall all over him. “Although, to be fair to the horses, they are very easy to handle.”
“Not now, but someday, I would like to try them.” She did not understand why Chandos sounded wistful.
“Someday you shall.” They continued around the Park, greeting and nodding at those they met. Theo was surprised at how many people she already knew.
Sarah waved. She and her mother sat in a landau while Lord Marrow, riding next to them, tipped his hat.
“I wonder how long we’ll have to wait before they make an announcement,” Chandos commented.
“I would suppose another few weeks.” Theo would be surprised if it occurred before then. “At least not until her come out ball.”
He furrowed his brow. “When is that? Do you know?”
“In three weeks, I believe.” She would have to ask Grace. “It is after mine. They did not make their final decision to come to Town until much later.”
“And yours is?” He raised one dark brow.
“In two weeks.” The invitations are to go out tomorrow.
“Grace’s secretary is to insure they are done.”
“Everyone seems to have secretaries,” he mused.
“Some ladies have companions that perform the same tasks.
Yet, I believe, they mostly are widows and poor relations.”
“Yes. I think you’re right. My mother’s companion is a widow and is responsible for responding to all invitations.”
They left the Park and Theo headed toward Berkeley Square. “Shall we go to Gunter’s?”
“Yes indeed.” He rubbed his chin. “I wonder if those two girls will be there staring at us again.”
“I suppose we shall see.” Theo hoped they had found something better to do.
The waiter ran out when they pulled to the side of the road. He glanced up and seemed to hesitate for a moment before reciting the list of specialties.
“I shall have the Gruyère.”
“I believe I will have the Riesling,” Chandos said.
“That sounds good as well.” She liked Riesling wine.
“You will have to tell me if you enjoy it.” He fell silent, his forehead creased as if he was concerned about something.
“Are you having some sort of difficulty?”
“No.” He shook his head, but his expression did not change. “Not a difficulty.” He turned and looked at her fully. “What I said about not wanting to meet young ladies. I did not mean you.”
Was that all? Theo smiled. “I know that. You are already acquainted with me. You know that I do not have any designs on you.”
“Indeed.” Leo didn’t know why he just hadn’t kept his mouth shut. Now she was more firmly convinced than before that he was not looking to marry.
The ices arrived and they each took a taste of the other’s.
“I cannot decide between the wine or the cheese.” Theo took another bite of hers.
“I know what you mean. The cheese has a depth, but the wine is light and has a slightly fruity taste.”
“Hmm. Perhaps the cheese now, while there is still a slight chill in the air, and the wine when it becomes warmer.”
“Cannot we eat both in both types of weather?” Why did she want to categorize them?
“I suppose.” Her forehead wrinkled, and he wanted to soothe it. “I like for things to have their places.”
That was interesting. “Does that include people?”
She finished her ice. “I have never thought about it. But it might. It makes it easier to say this person belongs here and that person there. Or this person had this function and that person another.”
“Is that not somewhat simplistic?” He did not want to insult her. “Especially for someone as intelligent as you are?”
She gazed at him as if trying to work out a puzzle. “How do you look at people?”
“I believe everyone, or most people, have different facets that they show at different times or with different people. For example, your sister Lady Worthington. At times she is a mother and might be stern or worried or playful. At other times she is an elegant and graceful lady. And she also has large houses and properties to manage or help to manage. She draws on a different part of herself for her different positions.” Theo tilted her head to one side and continued to gaze at him.
“You also have different facets. You are a younger sister, an aunt, a manager of servants and estates. You must behave differently in each of those roles.”
“I understand.” Her forehead smoothed. “It is the same with you.”
“It is. We also grow and mature.” How did he turn this conversation to one where she might understand that he had changed? “What might have been entertaining for a few years no longer has the appeal it once did. Fortunately, or unfortunately, one sees that more with gentlemen than ladies.”
“Such as when gentlemen drink to excess, gamble, and do other things?”
“Yes. Most of us must change to have the lives we truly want.”
“And will you do that eventually?”
Before he could answer, the waiter came back to collect the dishes and the payment. Then Kenilworth and his lady stopped next to them.
“You will be late to dinner if you do not leave now,” Lady Kenilworth said. She glanced at Leo. “You may join us if you like.”
“Thank you.” He really wanted to spend more time with Theo, but … “I must look in on my new secretary. It is his first full day.”
“Another time then.” Her ladyship picked up the reins.
“Meeting at Brooks’s during lunch tomorrow,” Kenilworth said.
“I’ll be there.” Now that he’d made a mull of it with Theo, Leo would definitely require more advice. He turned to her. “I can walk from your house.”
“Very well.”
It was a short drive from Gunter’s at one end of Berkeley Square to the other end where Worthington House was located.
Mick was waiting to take the carriage when she arrived in front of her house.
Leo jumped down and went around to help her alight by clutching her waist and lowering her slowly to the pavement. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Until then.” She smiled before striding into the house.
He was halfway home when St. Albans’s carriage stopped next to him, and St. Albans said, “Are you not joining the family for dinner?”
“I must see to some things at home. Another time. Will you be at the luncheon at Brooks’s tomorrow?”
“Haven’t heard about it yet. But most likely.”
“I’ll see you then.” Leo waved and walked on.
“If you change your mind,” Lady St. Albans said, “send a note, and we can hold dinner.”
“Thank you.” That would solve his problem. “If all is going well, I shall do that.” He just hoped Whiting didn’t have any difficulties.
He ran up the steps to his house and the door opened. A footman bowed. “Is Mr. Whiting in his study?”
“Yes, your grace. He asked about you not long ago.”
That didn’t sound good. “Thank you.”
Leo made his way quickly to his secretary’s office, knocked, then opened the door. “How has it been going?”
The man started to stand, and Leo motioned him to remain seated. “Well, I believe. I wanted you to review the responses I was able to make before I sent them out. I will need to discuss the others with you.”
Leo might make it to dinner with Theo yet. “Can it wait until tomorrow?”
“Yes. Absolutely.” Whiting removed his spectacles. “Unless you require anything else, I was about ready to leave for the day.”
“Nothing at all. I will see you after breakfast.” Leo went to his study and penned a quick note, then gave it to the footman outside the door. “Have this delivered to Worthington House as fast as possible.”
“Yes, your grace.” The man strode quickly toward the hall. The next thing he heard was the front door opening and closing. When he arrived in the hall, his butler was there. “I am dining out.”
“At Worthington House, your grace?”
“Yes. I will not be late.”
“I shall inform her grace.”
“Tell her that I wish to speak with her when I return if she does not have another engagement.”
“She and Mrs. Merryweather are dining at home this evening. I have not been apprised of any other plans.”
“Excellent. I will see you later.” Leo was never more grateful that Theo’s family didn’t dress formally for dinner.
He hailed a hackney. When he arrived, the family was in the drawing room.
Theo came forward and greeted him, followed by Lady Mary. “I am so glad you could join us.”
He bowed. “I am as well. It appears as if Whiting has everything under control. I must review what he’s done today and speak with him about some other matters, but that can be done in the morning.” He glanced at Lady Mary. “Good evening, my lady.”
She made an elegant curtsey and smiled. “It is good to see you, your grace.”
“I’m glad you were finally able to make it to Town. Your sister missed you.”
Kenilworth’s son, Hugh, brought Leo a glass of sherry. “My father said you would want this.”
“Thank you. He was correct.” Leo took a sip. “Who was ill, or was it something else?”
“Edward, one of the twins, fell and hit his head. The doctor examined him and said he would be fine. He has to be quiet for a few days,” Mary said. “He tried climbing the wall.”
“How old is he?” He was having trouble placing the younger ones. He didn’t see them that often.
“He is four and a half,” Theo said. “Next year he and Gaia will join us at the table.”
Thorton, the butler, came in and announced dinner. Leo winged out both of his arms, but Hugh came to escort Mary. That was when he noticed that Worthington’s eldest son, Gideon, was escorting two of the girls. “Impressive.”
“They are.” Theo smiled. “We are all proud of them.”
Leo could see why. She led them to the seats they had taken before at the table. He held out her chair. A sudden feeling of well-being filled him. He not only wanted Theo. He wanted to be part of this family. Not every gentleman could say that.
Lady Giselle poked Lana in the side. They were sitting across the barouche carriage from their mothers in the backward-facing seat. “The Duke of Chandos just got out of a hackney at Worthington House.”
“Do you suppose he is visiting Lady Theo?”
“What do you think? After all, he’s been driving with her and today she was driving that high-perched phaeton, and he was with her. It would not surprise me if they went for ices again.”
“I thought your brother was going to arrange an introduction.”
“He has not seen him at his club. And there have not been any events. Our mothers would not allow us to attend Lady Thornhill’s viewing today.”
“The first Almack’s assembly is this Wednesday,” Lana said.
“Yes, but more importantly, there is a ball before then. I will make sure my brother attends.”
“I almost forgot. Lady Penchly is having a ball on Monday.”
“Yes. Everyone will be there.” Giselle smiled. “I shall make sure that he asks me to stand up with him.”