Chapter Twenty-One
Mary sat on Theo’s bed as she was preparing to go to the ball. “With whom are you dancing this evening?”
Theo caught her sister’s eye in the mirror.
She had already been admonished to sit still while being dressed.
“Chandos has the supper dance. Before then I am standing up with Lords Crewe, Holland, and Hereford. I suppose Lord Marrow will also request a set, and Chandos will dance with Miss Pettiford.”
“What do you think about the other gentlemen?” Mary asked. “Are they interesting?”
Mary would be thrilled to hear what Theo had done. “I was able to introduce Miss Albright to Lord Crewe and Lady Patricia to Lord Holland. I believe both couples have a strong chance to make successful matches.”
“Excellent!” Mary smiled. “I did not know that you had decided to become a matchmaker.”
“The idea occurred to me after Marrow and Sarah had worked out so well, I should try to help other ladies and gentlemen. Chandos thinks that I made good choices.” Theo grinned at her sister in the mirror. “It even turns out that neither Lady Patricia nor Lord Holland are good dancers.”
“Hmm.” Mary rested her elbow on her knee and cupped her cheek. “But, Theo, what about you?”
“For the present, I am enjoying Chandos’s company.
” She shrugged. “I overheard two ladies in the ladies’ room saying he was looking for a new mistress.
When he does select one, I shall not longer have his attention.
” Theo did not like the idea that he would take a mistress.
Yet, she could say nothing about it. It was not as if they were betrothed as Charlotte and Con had been.
“What if he does not? Acquire a mistress?”
“He will.” Theo was certain of it. “He said he was not interested in meeting young ladies. Ergo, he is not interested in finding a wife. Which means he will eventually have a mistress.”
Payne had a strange look on her face that Theo could not interpret.
Should she and her sister not speak about mistresses in front of the maid?
She supposed she could ask one of her other sisters if it was improper.
Theo knew she could not broach the subject to other ladies, but she had been under the impression that one could speak of all manner of things in front of her maid.
“There you are, my lady.” Her maid stepped back.
“Thank you, Payne.” Theo waited while a long shawl was placed on her shoulders. “I will see you later.”
Mary slipped off the bed and followed Theo out. “I understand Chandos is dining with us before the ball.”
“He is.” As usual, her family had eaten earlier with the children.
But on nights when they attended an entertainment of some sort, a second much lighter dinner was served for those attending the event.
Even though Mary was not attending, she dined with them as well.
They went to the dining room where their sisters and brothers-by-marriage were already gathering.
The doorbell chimed, and Chandos strolled into the room and came directly to Theo. “I was finally able to convince Thorton that he didn’t have to announce me.”
“Theo,” Grace said. “A few notes came for you. The first one was from Lord Feversham. He approached Matt about an introduction and was approved. He will present himself early in the evening to meet you. He would like to reserve a dance.”
“He can have the first country dance.”
“The second was from Lord Bolingbroke.”
“If he is planning to stand up with me, the only set I have left is the first one. He had best be early.”
“I will answer both queries and inform the gentlemen of their dances.” Grace went to a small table in the corner of the room. Dashed off two missives and handed them to their butler. “See that these are delivered immediately.”
“Now, shall we take our places?”
“It will not be long before you will have more requests than sets,” Eleanor remarked.
“You’ll either love or hate the moniker I heard today,” Montagu said.
It had happened to all her sisters. Theo supposed she should have expected it. “What is it?”
“I was at my club and a gentleman referred to you as ‘The Elusive Lady Theodora.’ Then another gentleman said ‘The Elusive One’ is better. They bantered it around for a bit before deciding on ‘The Elusive.’”
“That is ridiculous. I am everywhere, nightly entertainments, riding in the Park. I was even at Lady Thornhill’s viewing.”
“Ah.” Con held up one finger. “You are at only one ball in an evening and only until supper.” He held up a second finger. “And in order for someone to even speak with you they must find Worthington and request permission.”
“That is true. Yet, I hardly see that it makes me elusive.” Gentlemen could be so silly.
St. Albans shook his head. “I would wager that all the other young ladies are being dragged around to two if not three entertainments a night. Also, the balls and other things you have attended are very exclusive.”
Montagu nodded. “I have visions of gentlemen running around Town trying to discover which ball you will attend.”
“That would be interesting,” Charlotte said.
“What is, my love?” her husband responded.
“It is usually gentlemen that a hostess wants at her ball. I wonder if Theo will now be the one person ladies will think is the most valuable guest to attend their entertainment.” She glanced at Grace.
“When you hold your ‘at home’ it would not surprise me if you have ladies you barely know attending.”
“It will not only be Grace, but all of us.” Dotty chuckled. “I foresee a great deal of page turning in Debrett’s.”
Theo ate her soup, then took a piece of fish that was brought around as well as haricots verts with almonds. “This is ridiculous.”
Next to her, Chandos swallowed. “When has that ever stopped members of the ton from doing anything? In my experience, the more outrageous, the more likely it is to occur.”
“I suppose you are correct. Still”—she shook her head—“it does not matter what I think about it. That will not stop anyone.”
“It will not. But I’ll be here to shield you.” He sounded completely serious.
Why was he still spending time with her? Charlie was in Town. One would think Chandos would get on with his usual activities. Theo would mention it to him, except she did like his company. If he kept it up, she would eventually say something. Until then, she would leave things as they were.
Beneath his lashes, Leo watched Theo. It didn’t surprise him that she would be given a moniker.
“The Elusive” was more apt than she realized.
Without her really knowing it, she was being closely guarded.
He didn’t blame her family at all. Over the years, they had experienced quite a bit of drama and danger during their come outs.
Charlotte, Alice, and Dotty Merton had all been abducted.
A deranged former mine manager had tried to murder Eleanor Montagu.
A scion of a wealthy family on the Continent had followed Augusta Carter-Woods on her travels with the intent of forcing her into marriage.
It was no wonder at all that Worthington was keeping a close eye on Theo.
Leo had even been told that Kenilworth had had a private talk with Thanet, explaining exactly what would happen to him if he was found anywhere near her.
The last Leo had heard, the man had taken himself off to France for the next few months.
The clock chimed the hour, and everyone rose to do last-minute preparations before they left for the ball. Leo’s valet had brought his tooth power and brush, and an extra cravat if one was needed.
He met up with Theo on the landing between the wings.
“I haven’t had the opportunity to tell you how beautiful you are this evening.
” And she was. Her gown was a buttery yellow trimmed with lilac ribbons and small seed pearls.
She wore the same strand of pearls she had the other evening as well as matching earrings.
Dark curls framed her face. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her.
Claim her as his own. He held out his arm. “Shall we?”
“Yes, thank you.” They started down the stairs. “You do not have to compliment me.”
“Oh, but I do.” He was afraid if he said more, he’d scare her off. They reached the hall where some of her sisters were already chatting, and he decided to take a chance. “I have just been told that I do not have to compliment Lady Theo on her beauty. What say you ladies?”
Charlotte slid him a sly look. “When a gentleman thinks a lady that he knows is in good looks, it is incumbent upon him to tell her.”
“Yes, indeed,” Lady Merton agreed. “It is good for one’s disposition.”
Disposition?
“Yes,” Alice said. “Gentlemen should be encouraged in this type of gallantry.”
Her twin, Eleanor Montagu, almost rolled her eyes. “I agree. Gentlemen should be rewarded for good behavior.”
Madeline Stern stared at her sisters for a moment, then appeared to understand the task. “I must agree with everyone. Accept the compliment and be happy.”
“Especially dukes,” Louisa Rothwell said.
Theo stared at her sister. “Why especially dukes?”
Leo would like the answer to that as well.
Her sister gave Theo an innocent look. “Because they are notoriously self-centered.”
“I heard that,” Rothwell said from the stairs. “I defy you to describe me as self-centered.”
His duchess reached out and took his hand. “Not you, my darling. Dukes in general.”
Leo was about to say something in his defense, when Theo said, “You just insulted Chandos. Louisa, you should apologize.”
“I was not referring to him either. Simply dukes in general.”
Worthington came out and ordered them all to the carriages. As they were walking out, Louisa Rothwell winked at Leo as she strolled past him. Well, she had made Theo defend him. He’d have to thank her later.
Their party was one of the first to arrive. Still, they received stares of interest, and it was most likely that he was with the family. Nothing said a betrothal was imminent like a single gentleman arriving with an unmarried lady. However, Theo took no notice.
Shortly before the dancing was to begin, two gentlemen made their way to Worthington who, in turn, brought them to Theo and the men were introduced.
Leo knew the Earl of Bolingbroke from school.
The man was a few years older than Leo. Lord Ashford, a baron, was about Leo’s age, but must not have attended the same school.
Bolingbroke gracefully accepted the set he’d been given.
Feversham had not yet arrived to claim the first set.
Ashford was another matter. “I wish for the supper dance, my lady.”
“The supper set is already taken, my lord.” Her tone was gentle, but one could feel the steel underneath it. “If my partner for the first set does not arrive in time, you may have that one.”
“In that case, I want the supper set at the next ball you attend.”
“Oh?” Like her sister, Theo widened her eyes innocently. “And which ball is that, my lord?”
Everyone in the family became silent.
His chest puffed out. “If you tell me which ball it is, I shall be there.”
That was enough. “Ashford is it?”
The man turned to Leo. “Who might you be?”
Kenilworth’s lips twitched, and all her sisters had raised their brows. “I am the Duke of Chandos. And Lady Theo has already given her supper sets to me.”
Theo quickly looked at him. Alice placed a hand on Theo’s arm and gave her an imperceptible shake of the head.
“We will see about that, your grace.” Ashford glared at Leo before striding off.
“Of all the gall.” Theo stared after his lordship, seemingly not knowing what to do. “If either Lord Feversham is not on time, I will dance with him this evening, but never again.” Then she turned to Leo. “Why did you tell him that you had reserved all my supper dances?”
“To stop him from harassing you.”
“Thank you, but I am not convinced it will work.” Her well-shaped brows drew together. “He seems to have a very good opinion of himself.”
Unfortunately, the musicians were taking their places and her partner had not arrived.
Ashford would return soon. Leo needed to be on that dance floor and in the same set as Theo.
He looked around and saw Miss Pettigrew standing with her mother and Marrow.
“Excuse me for a moment.” Leo approached her.
“Miss Pettigrew, would you allow me to have the first set?”
“Of course, your grace.”
Marrow touched Leo’s arm. “What’s wrong?”
“The person Lady Theo is to dance with for the first set. A Lord Ashford. I don’t trust him.”
Marrow gave a sharp nod. “Let me know if there is anything I can do.”
“I will. Thank you.”
As Ashford approached Theo, Leo led Miss Pettigrew to the floor, making sure that they were in the same line as Theo and Ashford. She looked at Leo and smiled. Ashford scowled. Excellent, now to keep her in sight.
“What do you think you’re about?” Ashford growled.
Leo gave the man his best innocent expression. “Dancing with Miss Pettigrew, naturally.”
Ashford huffed but said nothing more. Leo, though, was going to ask Worthington why he had allowed Ashford to be introduced to Theo.
After Leo reserved every one of her supper sets.
A sudden chill spiked through his heart.
What if something happened, and he didn’t win Theo as his wife?
What would he do? How would he even live?
The music began, and it struck him that he was in love with her.
Really, truly in love. Or he thought he was.
Leo needed to speak with St. Albans. Or perhaps his mother. No, not her. Maybe St. Albans’s mother.