Chapter Seventeen #2
“I was as well.” Theo smiled at her new gown in the mirror. “I am also happy that Grace doesn’t insist that I wear white or light pink. Those colors make me appear sallow.”
“Lady Stern had to talk Lady Pettigrew out of dressing Sarah in those colors for that very reason.”
Sarah had light blond hair and blue eyes, yet her skin tone was much the same as Theo’s. “She told me about that. I am very sorry for the young ladies whose mothers refuse to relent.”
“The girls are excited to see you in your first ball gown.” Mary smiled. “Remember when we wanted to see Grace, Charlotte, Louisa, and Dotty in their gowns.”
“All of our sisters.” Theo and Mary were the last two. “At least I have partners for two dances.”
“Chandos and who else?” Mary asked.
“Lord Marrow. He asked Sarah first.” Theo smiled. “We, Chandos and I, think they will make a good match.”
“I am sure there will be gentlemen lining up to ask Grace or Matt or one of our other brothers or sisters to be presented to you.”
Theo hugged herself, then stopped before she wrinkled her gown. “I do hope so. I had not been excited about the Season before. This has changed everything.”
“My lady.” Payne strode into the room carrying a velvet pouch. “Her ladyship said you are to wear these this evening.” The maid smiled. “They are yours.”
She spilled the jewelry out onto the toilet table. There was a strand of pearls and matching earrings. “Oh, they are lovely.”
It had become a tradition in the family that when one of them attended their first ball of the Season they received pearls. A tradition Theo had forgotten. “Put them on me, please.”
She fastened the earrings while her maid hooked the necklace. What was so special about the gift was that they were for a young matron. Not the sets of smaller pearls girls received. She glanced into the mirror again. “They are perfect.”
Mary gave her a quizzical look. “Why is Chandos attending?”
“I suppose Charlie asked him to look out for me.” It had to be that since he had not been in Town until recently.
Grace tapped on the open door. “You look as beautiful as I knew you would.” She gazed at Theo’s image in the mirror for a moment and smiled. “We should be going. Matt is starting to pace.”
Theo exchanged a grin with Mary. He always wanted to arrive early and return home after supper. “I am ready.”
Payne draped a silk paisley shawl around Theo’s shoulders and handed her the reticule and fan they had chosen for this gown.
Mary accompanied them down the stairs. “Have fun.”
“I will.” Theo returned her sister’s smile. “I will tell you all about it in the morning.”
“I will look forward to it.”
She and Grace each took one of Matt’s arms. He helped them into the Town coach before climbing in himself and giving the order to depart.
“You have been told the rules,” he said. “But I’ll repeat them. No dancing with anyone who has not been introduced to you by me or one of the family. If you have to go to the ladies’ room, take someone with you. No leaving the ballroom with a gentleman. We will depart after supper.”
“I remember.” Theo knew they were to keep her safe. Too many things could happen to a young lady who wondered around alone.
There was only a short line of carriages when they arrived. Elizabeth, the Countess of Harrington was friends with her older sisters. They had come out together.
“Theo!” her ladyship exclaimed. “You are just beautiful. I knew you would be. Congratulations on your first Season.” Elizabeth took Theo’s hands.
“Louisa, Charlotte, and Dotty arrived a few minutes ago.” She peered down the short set of stairs to the ballroom.
“They and their husbands are speaking with the Duke of Chandos. I understand he has become a friend of the family.”
“He has. I am very glad to see you.” Theo curtseyed, then joined Grace and Matt. Footmen circled the room with glasses of champagne, lemonade, and wine. No food would be served until supper.
When they joined their family, Chandos took her arm. “You are a vision, my lady.”
He was probably saying that to be kind, but, nevertheless, heat rose in her cheeks.
“Thank you, your grace. You are very handsome.” He was dressed in a black evening suit with white striped stockings and black pumps.
His cravat was white and tied into a Mathematical secured with an emerald pin.
The only fobs were his quizzer and a pocket watch.
He would probably be the most elegant gentleman here this evening.
“Thank you for requesting a set. Other than you and Lord Marrow, I do not know if I will dance again.” She glanced around. “Is your mother here?”
“No. She decided to spend the evening at another ball given by a friend.”
A gentleman came up to them. “Chandos, will you introduce me?”
“I will not.” He raised his quizzing glass and pointed it at Matt. “You must apply to the lady’s brother. Lord Worthington.”
“Thank you.” The man bowed and strolled away.
“Coward.” Chandos tucked his quizzer away.
It did not matter. Three gentlemen were standing in front of her brother.
“Worthington was right,” Chandos said. “If they cannot request an introduction through him, they have no reason to dance with you at all.”
Con brought one of the gentlemen to her. “Lady Theo, may I present Lord Hereford?” Mentally, Theo placed him as an earl. She curtseyed. “My lord, Lady Theo Vivers.”
She held out her hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lord.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” He kissed the air above her hand. “May I have the honor of the first country set?”
“That set is taken. You may have the first dance.”
“Thank you. I will look forward to it.” He walked away toward a footman carrying drinks.
Chandos laughed lightly. “You do know that the first set is usually a minuet?”
Theo really had not thought about it. “I suppose someone told me at some point.”
“Poor chap.” He sounded genuinely sad for his lordship.
“Is that why you asked for the supper dance?”
“No. I wanted the supper dance because it’s a waltz and then I can have supper with you.”
“Oh.” She did not know what to say to that. It never occurred to her that Chandos would want to spend that much time with her at a ball.