Chapter Twenty #2
“Excellent.” As happy as he was to be able to help her, he was even more pleased when she smiled at him.
She expertly maneuvered the phaeton around and stopped next to Marrow and Miss Pettigrew.
“Good afternoon.” Then she glanced at the landau carrying a younger lady, and an older woman, probably the lady’s mother.
“Lady Patricia, how delightful to see you.”
“Lady Theo, good day.” She turned to the other woman. “Mama, allow me to introduce you to Lady Theo Vivers. Lady Theo, my mother, Lady Carlisle.”
“It is very nice to meet you, Lady Theo. I watched you make your way over here. It was quite adroit driving.” She glanced at her daughter.
“Thank you. I am delighted to meet you, my lady.”
“I understand that I have you to thank for my son’s—she cut Marrow a look—“good fortune.”
Miss Pettigrew blushed and gazed adoringly at Marrow, who returned the look. Without blushing.
“It was all fortunate happenstance, my lady.”
And that was what Theo did. She accomplished whatever she was after, then acted as if it had all simply came to be. Leo had never met anyone like her. She was the most modest force of nature to exist.
Marrow glanced at Leo and mouthed, “Gunter’s?”
Leo nodded slightly. “Lady Theo, we should be off. We’re in danger of holding up traffic.”
She looked around. “Indeed, we are. Lady Carlisle, Lady Patricia, I hope to see you again soon.”
Before the carriage behind them could complain, she started her horses. “I take it we are meeting Lord Marrow and Sarah at Gunter’s.”
“Yes. He has something he wishes to tell me. We are being hailed.”
Theo pulled up to the verge and Crewe came riding up just ahead of Hereford. “Good afternoon, my lady. Chandos.”
“Good day, my lord.” Theo smiled. “Thank you for the flowers.”
Leo simply nodded. Then he remembered he’d forgotten to ask her how many gifts she’d received.
“If you are attending the Exeter ball this evening, it would be my honor if you would allow me the supper dance.”
“I am sorry, my lord.” She gave him an apologetic smile. “The supper dance is taken.”
By him. Leo was about to smirk, when Crewe said, “In that case, the first waltz.”
The bounder! Unfortunately, Leo knew the man was said to be an excellent dancer.
Then again, Theo had already decided to match him to Miss Albright.
He watched with interest to see what she would do.
A sly smile appeared on her lips. “I would be delighted, my lord.” She glanced to the side and behind her.
“Miss Albright, how lovely to see you here.”
Miss Albright, a pretty lady with blond hair, gray eyes, and an amused expression, was driving a regular phaeton with a groom sitting in the back. “And you.”
“May I introduce Lord Crewe to you?”
“You may.” She studied Crewe with the same thoroughness one would a horse one wanted to purchase.
“Miss Albright, Lord Crewe. Lord Crewe, Miss Albright.” Theo was clearly enjoying herself.
Laughter lit Miss Albright’s eyes. “It is nice to meet you, my lord.”
“I am delighted to meet you, Miss Albright. We were just talking about Lady Exeter’s ball. May I enquire as to if you will be attending.”
“I will be.”
“May I have the honor of requesting the supper dance?”
“You may. I would be pleased.”
Looking very much like a petulant child, Hereford pushed his way forward. Then remembered that he could not speak until Theo decided to acknowledge him. Fortunately, for him, she was all that was gracious.
“Lord Hereford, how nice to see you.” Once again, she turned to Miss Albright, who clearly understood the farce and made the introductions.
He asked for her first waltz, which she accepted. Then asked Theo, who gave him the first country dance. After which, Hereford took himself off.
Crewe bowed to the ladies then met Leo’s gaze. “It was a pleasure coming upon you.”
“We strive to please.” Making sure the man knew his intentions toward Theo.
“Miss Albright, might I escort you around the Park?”
“You may, my lord.” She drove on with Crewe riding alongside her.
“This has been a good day’s work.” Theo started the horses.
“It has. Crewe appears interested in Miss Albright. Perhaps you will have as much luck with them as you did with Marrow and Miss Pettigrew.”
“That would be satisfying. Speaking of Lord Marrow, I wonder what he wishes to talk with you about.”
“Or with the both of us. I gather he didn’t want his mother to know whatever it was he intends to say.”
“I caught that.” The Park had filled, and it was much longer than Leo had expected it would take to get to the gate. Once they drove through, there were drays and other vehicles with which to contend, but Theo handled it expertly.
Marrow and Miss Pettigrew were already at Gunter’s when they arrived. He’d parked his curricle off the street and motioned Theo next to them.
They ordered, then he turned to Theo. “I must tell you something. My sister is not a good dancer.”
“Is she not?”
“No. No matter how much she practices she is simply not coordinated. Patricia is almost competent, but she’s bound to step on some poor gentleman’s toes.”
“That is perfect.” Theo smiled.
Marrow looked all at sea. “I don’t understand.”
“I want to introduce her to Lord Holland. He is also not a good dancer. But he loves to travel.”
“And that is what my sister wants.” Marrow grinned. “Excellent thinking, Lady Theo.” He glanced at Miss Pettigrew. “Sarah, uh, Miss Pettigrew, knew you would be able to come up with someone for Patricia.”
Leo couldn’t help puffing out his chest a bit. “I believe she might also have matched Crewe with Miss Albright.”
“How wonderful!” Miss Pettigrew clapped her hands.
It was wonderful. Leo was proud of Theo.
Now for her to recognize that they were perfect together.
Thankfully, he and his secretary had developed a plan whereby Whiting would reply to the entertainment invitations Leo wished to attend, and have the rest of them sent to Mama.
Until she came around to having Theo as a daughter-in-law and the next Duchess of Chandos, he didn’t want her around to put a spoke in his wheel.