Chapter Eighteen
Leo clenched his jaw as he watched Theo step onto the dance floor with another man.
She glowed as the crystals sewn onto her deep cream-colored gown sparkled beneath the chandeliers.
The gown’s modest neckline barely hinted at the swells of her breasts.
The bodice that clung to her form teased him with what lay beneath. This was going to kill him.
“Chandos.” He was surprised to see Rochford at the ball. Leo’s longtime friend came up to him. “You look like you’re thinking of murdering someone.”
“Hereford, at the moment.” Then it would be her next dance partner.
“The Earl of Hereford? What did he do?”
Leo focused on Theo again. She had just taken her place in the line.
“Ah.” Rochford dropped his quizzer. “I see the problem. Have you reserved a set with her?”
“The supper dance.” He couldn’t tear his gaze from her. The music started. She moved so gracefully. Just like she did everything else.
“That was good thinking.” His friend remained quiet for a moment or two. “You’re going to drive yourself mad doing that.”
“Ask if she has a set left.” At least he knew he could trust Rochford with Theo.
He chuckled. “I’ll ask, but there’s a fairly long line of gentlemen waiting to stand up with her.”
Leo glanced toward Worthington. That was a true statement. “You’ll have to approach her immediately upon her return.”
“Very well.” Rochford heaved a sigh. “That won’t give you much relief.”
Leo glanced at his friend. “Marrow has a set with her as well. That only leaves two more dances before the supper set.”
“You really have been thinking about this. What happens after supper? There are still more sets.”
“Worthington makes them leave after supper.” Thank God for small favors. He focused on Theo again.
St. Albans and his lady joined them. “Chandos, people are noticing.”
“What?” Reluctantly, he glanced at the man.
“That you are staring at Theo.” Lady St. Albans shook her head. “You must stop. Nothing is going to happen to her on the dance floor. She knows not to go off with anyone.”
“I know.” Intellectually, he knew. Yet, he couldn’t stop some other part of him from wanting to protect her.
“We have all been through it.” St. Albans had a wry smile on his face. “You feel like you wish you had a sword to run the bounder through. Or be able to carry her off on your faithful charger.”
That was it exactly. “Yes.”
“Lady St. Albans gave her husband a fond look. “I had no idea.”
He nodded and patted her hand. “I will guarantee you that all your brothers by marriage experienced the same thing.”
“I am exceedingly glad to know that.” She glanced at Leo. “However, you may not make a scene. This is her first ball. You will have to learn to live with it until she agrees to wed you.”
A sharp sense of frustration struck him, and he closed his eyes for a brief second. “How did you get through it?”
“Not well,” St. Albans muttered. “You’ll feel more the thing during the supper dance. I hear it is a waltz.”
“That’s what I was told as well.” Leo would be able to hold Theo in his arms. That would make him feel better.
“Good evening, Rochford,” her ladyship said. “I did not see you there.”
He laughed. “I am easy to miss when we have Chandos here looking like he wants to start a war.”
“There is that.” She poked his arm. “Come away where you are not so noticeable.”
He followed her to where a group of the family were standing and sitting. Most of the gentlemen were as tall as he was. Lady St. Albans was correct. He would not stand out as much. Theo wouldn’t have appreciated him making a spectacle of himself. “Thank you.”
She glanced at Rochford. “Am I to assume you are going to ask Theo to dance?”
“Yes, my lady.” His lips twitched. “All for a good cause.”
“When she is being escorted back to us, move to the front of the group, bow, and request the set,” Lady St. Albans instructed.
He appeared confused. “I would always bow.”
“Yes, but doing it first allows you to request the next dance. It is not a formal rule. As a practical matter it will stop other gentlemen from interrupting.”
That was excellent advice. Leo would have to keep it in mind. At some point, he would be able to have two sets with Theo.
Kenilworth and his lady joined them. She raised a brow at her sister. “Are we minding him?”
“Yes. He was staring at Theo.”
“I am in complete sympathy with him,” Kenilworth said with feeling.
“We all are,” Rothwell said.
Slowly, with the exception of Worthington and Lady Worthington, who were still being made known to gentlemen wanting an introduction to Theo, the rest of the family joined them.
The minuet came to a close, and Rochford, following Lady St. Albans’s advice, secured Theo’s third set.
Leo moved so that he was once more standing next to Theo.
Miss Pettigrew and Marrow came over as well.
“I am not at all unhappy to have missed the minuet,” Marrow said.
“It is not my favorite dance,” Miss Pettigrew agreed. “But it is very elegant.”
“It is,” Theo added. “I suppose it is helpful if one does not really wish to speak much to one’s partner.”
The strains of the orchestra announced the next set, which was the first country dance.
Leo bowed to Miss Pettigrew and Marrow bowed to Theo.
The four of them strolled to the dance floor.
The tension Leo had been feeling faded away as they took their places.
Even if he wasn’t dancing with her all of the time, at least he could touch her hands and was with her.
When the set was over, they returned to their circle.
Another gentleman was given permission by Worthington to be presented to Theo. Leo recognized him as the Earl of Holland, Lady Thornhill’s nephew. “My lady.” He bowed. “May I have the next set?”
Theo curtseyed. “I already have a partner, however, my fourth set is available.”
Holland smiled. “I would be honored.”
That left one more set she would dance with another gentleman.
Leo didn’t have long to wait before one arrived.
He’d known the Marquis of Crewe since school.
He had only recently come into his title.
After Worthington presented Crewe, he secured Theo’s fifth set.
Leo didn’t think Holland would be much of a rival.
Crewe, on the other hand, was another matter.
He had no known heirs and must be desperate to wed and start a family.
The man would bear close scrutiny. Fortunately, the set was a quadrille.
Unfortunately, Holland had secured a waltz.
Leo’s teeth clenched each time they twirled.
“You’re going to do your teeth permanent damage,” Marrow said as he watched Miss Pettigrew dance with another man.
“I don’t understand how you can be so calm.” Leo wanted to go to Theo and snatch her away from Holland.
“You must keep this between us.” Marrow kept his voice low. Leo nodded.
“She and I have an understanding. However, I have agreed we would not make a formal announcement until her come out ball. Next week, I will be able to stand up twice with her.”
Lucky dog. He wished he could have an understanding with Theo. “I wish you both well.”
“Here they come.” Marrow held out his hand to Miss Pettigrew. Smiling, she took it.
Leo did the same to Theo, but after touching his fingers, she went to one of her sisters and they left the room.
“Are you having a good time?” Alice asked as they skirted the room.
“I am.” Theo would not have believed how much fun a ball could be. “Although Lord Holland is not the best dancer, he did make interesting conversation.”
“That is important. You will spend much more time talking with the gentleman you wed than dancing with him.” Alice wrinkled her nose. “On the other hand, marrying a man who can make conversation and dance is the best option. Even Phinn is an excellent dancer.”
Theo did not want to tell her sister that she had not really looked at any of the gentlemen she had stood up with, as prospective husbands. “That makes sense. Even Grace and Matt still like to dance together.”
Alice unerringly led them to the ladies’ room. Three screens were set up, as was a mirror with extra hairpins and pins for one’s clothing if needed. A maid was present to help any of the ladies. Theo went behind one of the screens. Alice selected another.
The door opened and closed.
“I am shocked to see the Duke of Chandos here,” one lady with a slightly nasal tone said.
Theo had been about to come out from behind the screen but decided to remain where she was.
“I overheard my brother saying that he refused an invitation to one of Lord Fellows’s parties.” The second woman had a low melodic voice.
“Humph. He probably did not want to share his mistress. I understand that is a requirement.”
“I had no idea.” There was a rustling noise. “I wonder who he chose for this Season,” Nasally said.
Theo had never even considered that gentlemen might do that. Share a person? As if they were property. She was glad to hear Chandos would not do anything like that.
“It is a little early to know. I heard he has been driving during the Promenade with a young lady, but then I was told he is a friend of her family. I hope the girl does not decide to fall in love with him,” the lady with the nice voice said.
It was a good thing Theo had already decided that he would not be a good husband for her.
“Goodness no! I remember when … Well, I shall not speak of it. Her mother made sure she made a good match,” Nasally said.
“You do not mean to tell me that he—?”
“No, no, of course not. She had merely formed a fascination for him. He is handsome.”
Theo let out a slow breath. She was glad he had standards.
“Extremely.” Pins rattled in a dish. “If I was not so fond of my Gerald, I would consider Chandos,” the lady with the low voice said.
“It would not do you any good. He refuses to oblige married women,” Nasally commented. “Come to think of it, I have never heard of him being close to a widow.”
“It is a shame that only courtesans have his attention.” The lady with the low voice sighed.
“Indeed, it is.”
Theo was trying to decide if it was a good thing he only went to courtesans or not when the door opened and closed again.
There was movement from the other screen. “Theo. We must return. The supper dance will start soon.”
“I am coming.” She came out from behind the screen. “Did you hear what they said about Chandos?”
“I could not have avoided hearing. They were certainly not keeping their voices down.”
“I wonder who Gerald is.” Her sister had linked arms with her and was swiftly leading them back to the ballroom.
“We will probably never know. I do not remember hearing either voice before.”
“Did you know about those parties?” One of Theo’s sisters must know.
“I have heard something about them.” Alice tugged Theo closer and whispered, “I would not believe everything you hear about Chandos. Then again, what they did say was not very bad at all. He sounds like any other unmarried man on the Town.”
“I suppose you are right.” Theo would like to know when he was planning to acquire a mistress. She could not be seen with him after that happened.
They arrived back to their circle, and Chandos stepped over to stand by her side. Soon the introduction for the supper dance began and he bowed. “My lady, I believe this is my set.”
She placed her hand on the arm he offered. “It is, your grace.”
As Chandos led Theo to the dance floor, she wondered why she had never before noticed how strong his arm was.
It was not as if she should not have known.
He had given her his arm numerous times over the past year.
And lately, he had actually lifted her into and down from carriages and coaches.
She gave herself a shake. It was probably just the conversation she had overheard.
Theo would like to ask him when he planned to take a mistress.
But he was not in the habit of defiling young ladies, and she did not want to shock him.
She supposed that at some point, Matt would tell her she could not ride with him, or Chandos would stop suggesting they ride together.
She curtseyed and he bowed, then he took her in his arms as they prepared to dance.
She would miss sharing ices with him. The first moment the set started she could immediately feel the difference between Lord Holland’s and Chandos’s dancing.
He made her feel like a feather. As if she was the most graceful person on earth.
She knew he would never step on her toes.
“We can converse.” His deep voice rumbled through her.
“I was thinking that you are a much better dancer than Lord Holland.”
Chandos flashed a quick smile, and the corners of his eyes crinkled, making him appear even more handsome. Yet, she had always thought he was handsome. A lady required more from a gentleman in order for him to be a husband. “I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear that.”
Oh, no. He would not. “You are not to tell him.”
“Me?” He looked insulted, then he glanced down at her with his lips twitching. “If you insist, I shall not say a word.”
“I do insist. He is a very nice person, and I would not want to hurt his feelings.”
“You’re right. He did explain the three-breasted goddess to you.” Chandos appeared as if he would burst out laughing.
Theo stifled her own loud laugh. “And to you as well. Do not pretend you knew.”
“And to me as well. Although, I did think some of my ideas were good.” He had a smug expression.
“They were ridiculous.” That should put him in his place.
He twirled her so that her back was to his chest. His warmth caressed her. “My lady, you wound me.”
Even though she knew he was teasing, for a moment, a very brief moment, she almost believed him. “I am sure you will get over it.”
“Only if you share your ices with me at supper.”
“In that case, you must bring me more than ices that I will like.” Theo was looking forward to her first real supper. Well, supper at a ball.
“Have no fear. I trust I know exactly your taste in ices and other foods.” He twirled her again so that she was facing him.
“I suppose you do. I almost forgot this is not the first time you have fetched my supper.”
“You must acknowledge how useful I am to have around.”
“I agree.” This time Theo was afraid she would not be able to control a laugh. “You are extremely useful.”
The music stopped and, once again, they curtseyed and bowed, and she took his arm. He slanted a look at her. “I am famished.”
“You?” She could not believe he had said that. “All you have done is stand around talking. I have danced every set.”
“Trust me when I tell you that I expended a great deal of energy talking.”
What on earth did he mean by that? “I will have to take your word for it.”
Chandos had never flirted with her before. If that is what he was doing. Then again, it really did not matter. Sooner or later, he would revert to his old ways. He was not for her.