Chapter Nineteen
Leo brought back four different ices for Theo and various other foods he knew she liked. This evening was going superbly well.
Soon he would be the one to ensure she could dance the waltz at Almack’s.
Even if his mother refused to assist him, courtesy of his outings with Theo, he now knew most, if not all, of the Patronesses of Almack’s at least well enough to ask to be recommended to Theo.
While she had been dancing, Lady Kenilworth—Charlotte, as she had given him permission to address her—had provided him with a list of events that Theo would attend.
As soon as he returned from his morning ride and possibly breakfast at Worthington House, he would discuss the issue with his secretary.
Yes. Leo smiled to himself. Everything was going quite well.
“Would you like us to give you a ride home?” St. Albans asked as they made their way back to the long table someone had requested for the family.
“Thank you. I would. I have no idea when my mother will decide to send the coach for me.”
“I thought that might be the case.” St. Albans went to his wife, and Leo to Theo.
“Here you are, my lady.” He directed the footman who had followed with a tray where to place the ices, right in front of her; the champagne, to her right; and the other dishes, in a half moon around the ices. “Everything from the table you could desire.”
She smiled brightly and even blushed a little. That was, indeed, a gift. They worked their way systematically through the dishes.
“These crab cakes are marvelous. I wonder if their cook is French.”
“I think he must be.” Leo drew her attention to a small cheese soufflé. “This is something one doesn’t see if the cook is English.”
“I suppose you are right.” She finished the crab cake and dipped her spoon into the soufflé. “Wonderful! I believe I shall have this served at my come out ball.”
“As well as ices?” He smiled at her enthusiasm.
“Definitely ices.” She finished the soufflé and started on the last ice. “I suppose we will have Gunter’s cater them.”
“I believe that is what most people do.” He remembered Charlotte’s whispered words about the next ball. “May I have the supper dance at Lady Exeter’s ball?”
Theo swallowed, then took a sip of champagne. “You may.”
“Thank you.” He had no doubt that by tomorrow morning gentlemen would be lining up at her door and sending tokens to her beauty.
“It is a pleasure dancing with you.” A smile formed on Theo’s rosy lips. “From my short experience, no one does it as well.”
“Thank you. I only hope that you continue to appreciate my skill after you have more experience.” That was one thing in his favor. Leo glanced at Worthington, who was pushing back his chair. “I believe you will leave soon.”
She looked at her brother. “I suppose I will be.”
Worthington spoke to his lady on one side of him and Louisa Rothwell on the other side. Each lady in turn spoke to the person next to her. Long before the message could be repeated to them, the ladies had begun to rise, which meant all the gentlemen were standing.
He pulled out Theo’s chair. “That was effective.”
“He has had a lot of practice.”
When she placed her hand on his arm, he almost covered it with his fingers. “Does this suit you? Departing early?”
“I think so.” She lifted one shoulder and dropped it. “Especially, if I wish to ride early.”
“I can’t imagine many people will be up with the birds as you are.” They joined the line of her family making their way out of the supper room. Lady Worthington found Lady Harrington and they all took their leave of her.
Leo escorted Theo to the coach and helped her in. “I shall see you in the morning.”
She gave him a curious look and tilted her head. “You will not go to another entertainment?”
“No. I am for my couch.” He squeezed her fingers lightly. “Good night.”
“Good night to you.” She continued into the coach, and he moved aside to give Worthington space to assist his wife.
St. Albans came up to Leo. “Are you ready to depart?”
“Yes. Thank you again for the ride.”
“It is no problem at all. Aside from that, my wife overheard a conversation you should know about.”
That sounded ominous. Leo was trying not to hold his breath. “My lady?”
“You may call me Alice. We have known one another for some time now.” She glanced at her husband.
“While Theo and I were in the ladies’ room two other ladies entered.
Because of where we were, we could not see them.
They were discussing your habit of taking a mistress for the Season.
The only thing helpful in the exchange was that they agreed that you did not dally with innocents, married women, or widows.
However, Theo is well aware that courtesans, even the well-paid ones, often feel as if they have no choice. ”
Leo was not going to ask how she came by that piece of information. The family did not withhold knowledge from their girls, and Kenilworth had told Leo about the row Kenilworth had with his wife about his ladybird before she agreed to marry him. “I will not be taking a mistress this Season.”
“I have been informed of that. I wanted you to know that I believe she has the intention to allow you to squire her around until you find a companion.”
That was extremely helpful information. “And when I do not?”
Alice shook her head. “I have no idea. I think she has decided that you are unsuitable to be a husband.” She glanced at her husband. “But others of us had made the same decision and changed our minds.”
“Perseverance,” St. Albans said. “And help from friends.”
“I know all about the part Mary and Theo played in helping us.” Alice gave him a put-upon look.
“You must admit that they were right. Normanby was a blackguard.” St. Albans sat back against the squabs.
“The two of them are very perceptive.” Alice’s brows slanted down. “When it comes to other people. Somehow, I do not have the feeling that Theo will be the same when it comes to herself.”
And that was the rub. “I shall come as close to living in her pocket as I can be without being betrothed to her.”
Her sister nodded. “Be her friend.”
That is what all of them had said. “I wish I had Theo to help me.”
Alice laughed. “That would be helpful.” She stared over his shoulder. “Mary might be able to be of assistance. Still, it is early days.”
For everyone but Leo it was early days. But he’d been working toward this for almost a year. “You’re right, of course. I must be patient.”
“Are you attending Dorie Exeter’s ball?”
“I am. I have already asked Theo for the supper dance.” Being able to be before the other gentlemen was a masterstroke.
“I managed to have the supper dance with Alice. It didn’t help,” St. Albans grumbled.
“That is because you were irritating the life out of me,” his wife pointed out.
Leo hoped that he wasn’t upsetting Theo. “Will someone tell me if she doesn’t want to dance with me?”
“Trust me,” Alice said. “Theo knows you well enough that she will tell you herself. She will be kinder to a gentleman who appears unsure of himself.”
It was then that Leo knew his real rival was the Earl of Holland.
The man was much too nice and unpretentious.
He also had a great deal of knowledge about things Theo might find interesting.
The coach slowed and turned into his drive, then came to a stop.
“Thank you for the conversation and the ride. I shall see you tomorrow evening.”
“I am happy to help.” Alice smiled. “I’ll give some thought to what more I can do.”
“I would appreciate that.” It was then he remembered his plan for Almack’s. “I was going to have my mother assist in arranging for me to be presented to Theo as a suitable partner for the waltz at Almack’s. Would you do it?”
“Yes.” Alice nodded. “I would be pleased to help you. Arrive at Almack’s as soon as the doors open. We will meet you there.”
“Excellent. I must thank you again.” After this evening, he had the feeling he would not be the only one wanting to be presented to Theo. “Good night.”
“Good night.” Their coach drove away.
Hoover opened the door for Leo. “Has my mother returned?”
“No, your grace. We do not expect her for another few hours.”
Had she always stayed out late? He took a good look at his aging butler. He was fagged to death. “I insist you go to bed. A footman can wait up for her.”
“Your grace. She asked that I be here.”
“And I have countermanded that order. Go to bed. I will be up early.”
“Yes, your grace.” Hoover bowed.
It was a short carriage ride from Harrington House to Worthington House. Theo tried to think over the events of the evening but could not work out what she wanted to know about it. Very strange.
“How did you like the ball?” Grace asked.
“I enjoyed it immensely. I do wish some of the gentlemen were better dancers.”
“I predict the house will be filled with flowers tomorrow.” Matt groaned.
Why? “I did not stand up with that many gentlemen. Three of them were friends.”
“It makes no difference.” His lips had tightened. “Several others were introduced to you. They will want to make an opportunity to dance with you at the next ball or take you riding.”
“That will be helpful for the flower girls.” Someone should profit from Theo receiving flowers.
Grace chuckled lightly. “Then there will be the verses written for you.”
Theo had read several of the ones written to her sisters. They were rarely good. She sighed. “Yes. Those.”
“Who did you enjoy dancing with most?” Matt asked.
“Chandos.” She did not even have to think about it.
“He is by far a better dancer than any of the others. He is also entertaining. Lord Holland was interesting to speak with, but he kept stepping on my toes. The others danced competently but had more trouble carrying on a conversation. Well, not Lord Marrow or Lord Rochford, but they are not interested in me as anything other than a friend.”
“No doubt, you will receive invitations to dance at the next ball.” Grace glanced at Matt as the coach came to a stop. “I am going to kiss the children good night.”
“I’ll be up to join you.” Matt took her hand and kissed it.
That was what Theo wanted. She yawned. The rest of her thoughts could wait until morning. “I am going to bed.”
Matt helped Grace out then Theo, and they entered the house.
As Theo ascended the stairs, she recalled that her other sisters, with the exception of Augusta, had met after the entertainments in their parlor and discussed the evening.
Theo could barely keep her eyes open. Perhaps it got easier during the course of the Season.
The second she put her head on her pillow, Morpheus took her.
Her dreams were a strange mix of shopping, riding, and dancing.
The only thread was that Chandos was always there.
When she awakened, Theo decided nothing was to be gained by paying attention to her dream.
After all, Chandos was around her a great deal. That was probably all it meant.
She descended the stairs to find him already waiting for her. “Good morning.”
“Good morn to you. Shall we see if Miss Pettigrew and Marrow have managed to rise early today?”
Theo almost laughed. She was fairly certain that both of them had left shortly after her family had. “Yes. We shall tease them if they have not.”
Fortunately for the couple, they were ready to depart when she and Chandos arrived at Sarah’s house.
“I must say”—Lord Marrow turned to his gelding—“it is a novel experience to have attended a ball and be awake enough to ride the next morning.”
Sarah started to laugh. “What did you do before? Stay up all night?”
“Yes.” He gave her a wry look. “I would just be going home.”
“That would be fun to see!” she exclaimed. “How many gentlemen do you think we will see?”
Theo wondered about that as well. “I suppose we shall find out on our way to the Park.”
There were not only gentlemen, but town coaches obviously returning from the evening’s entertainments. A few of them waved and greeted their little group.
Lady Cowper’s carriage stopped, and she glanced at them. “Ah, the energy of youth. I do not know how you manage to look so fresh on so little sleep.”
Chandos approached her vehicle. “We were all in our respective houses, and I dare say, asleep before one.”
“That explains it. Go on and enjoy your morning.” She knocked on the roof of her coach. “Drive on. These people have too much energy for me.”
They waited until her vehicle had turned the corner and started to laugh.
Theo shook her head. “I can honestly say that I do not believe I will ever stay up all night.”
“Not even for your come out ball?” Sarah asked.
“Not even then. I enjoy my sleep too much. I will ask Grace to have it end after supper.”
Chandos’s eyes were sparkling with laughter. “I have no doubt you’ll start a fashion.”
“That would be interesting. However, I hardly think that is possible. The only thing it will do is enable people to more easily attend another ball.”
Another town coach drove by them. “Let us go on. I want to have a good gallop before I have to be home for breakfast.”
Later that evening.
“I cannot believe it.” Giselle stared at her glass of champagne.
Events were not going as she had planned.
“I thought the duke would be at Lady Penchly’s ball, and he did not attend.
Nor did he appear at any of the other balls we went to.
” She glared at her brother, who was her escort for the evening.
He shrugged. “Don’t blame me. I don’t keep his schedule. From the looks of it, he didn’t go out at all.”
“I must find a way to discover at which entertainments he will be.” Perhaps she could bribe a servant at his house. But how would she go about doing it? Perhaps her maid if she paid her a few coins, or one of the footmen. That might be a better idea. “Have you been able to speak with him?”
“If I had, wouldn’t I have told you? He hasn’t been anywhere recently.”
“You must find a way. He must be presented to me.” Giselle could not very well marry a gentleman she had not met.
Her brother rubbed a hand down his face. “Perhaps he’ll be at Almack’s. Mama knows some of the Patronesses. She might be able to ask one of them to do it.”
“Oh, for the waltz!” Giselle clapped her hands together. “What a brilliant idea. He could be presented to me as a partner for the waltz.”
“That’s it. Leave it to our mother.”
“I shall. She would be thrilled to have me marry a duke.”
“As long as she doesn’t try to get me leg shackled next.”
Giselle ignored him. He would wed when their father ordered him to. She, on the other hand, was looking forward to being the Duchess of Chandos.