Chapter Twenty-Two
Theo had never been so thankful that the first set was the minuet.
A country dance would have been good as well.
But no one started a ball with a country dance.
It was either the minuet or quadrille, and the quadrille would have given her too much time with Lord Ashford.
She wished she knew why he was so interested in her.
They changed partners, and she found herself with Chandos. “Who is he?”
“I have no idea. He didn’t attend Eton. I don’t know idea if he is university educated or not.”
“I will try to discover more about him.” They switched, and she was back with Ashford. “From what part of the country do you hail?”
“My father’s family is from Shrewsbury. My mother’s family is from Bristol.”
Bristol? Theo felt slightly ill as a memory came to her. “Your mother is the sister of the current duke and the daughter of the previous duke.”
Ashford’s smile was more than pleased that she had placed him than happy that she was dancing with him. “I wondered if you would know.”
Of course she knew. She and Mary had looked up Dotty’s family years ago.
It simply had not occurred to Theo that there was a son old enough to wed.
Which begged the question, how old was he?
It was hard to believe the Dowager Duchess of Bristol would tolerate Ashford’s behavior.
“I probably would not have if your cousin, Lady Merton, was not such a close family friend. I have never heard her mention you.”
Before he could answer, she was back with Chandos. “He’s Dotty’s cousin.”
“Really?” His eyes widened. “How very remiss of her to have a relative such as him.”
Theo almost laughed out loud. “She and Dom will be here this evening. We must ask her about him.”
“Indeed, we should. You, however, are dancing every set. Shall I start the conversation?”
“Tell Charlotte. She and Dotty are bosom friends.”
“I will do that.”
“Good.” And once again, she was with Ashford.
“My lady, I have never met my cousin Merton,” Lord Ashford said. “Her elder brother and I are of an age, but I was tutored before attending Oxford.”
“That would explain it.” Yet knowing about the contretemps between the current duke and Dotty’s parents, solely because of her father’s rank, it made no sense that a baron would have been allowed to marry her aunt. “Is baron a curtesy title?”
He inclined his head. “You are clever. My father is the Duke of Shrewsbury. However, we are residing with my uncle for the Season. There was no reason to open the house for such a short period.”
“I hope you enjoy the time you spend in the metropolis.”
“I intend to. My goal is to wed quickly and return home.” He smiled at her, and she understood perfectly that he meant her.
“How did you convince my brother to allow you to be presented to me?”
“I told him I was Lady Merton’s cousin and had planned to meet her here.”
The lying snake. “In other words, you lied.”
“A slight misdirection,” he drawled, sure of himself.
If they had not changed partners, she would have walked off the dance floor and left him there.
The warmth of Chandos’s hand engulfed her much smaller one. “What happened to put you in such a temper?”
“He lied to Matt about his intent to meet Dotty and Dom here. He has never even met her.” She took a breath.
“He admitted it was a lie.” She pressed her lips shut for a moment.
“He called it a misdirection. When I go back to him, I will tell him exactly what I think of liars and tell him to never approach me again.”
“Please listen to my idea first. Pretend to stumble and tell him that you hurt your ankle. I’ll tell Miss Pettigrew what is going on, and, if she is agreeable, she can finish the set with Ashford.”
“He thinks he is going to wed me! Me!” Theo was so furious she trembled.
“I shall escort you back to your family. You will tell your sisters and Worthington. I am quite sure they will know what to do.”
That was a much better idea than hers. “Thank you.”
Chandos squeezed her hand. “We will take care that he never approaches you again.”
She refused to speak to Ashford. Then when Chandos had had enough time to tell Sarah what had happened, Theo pretended to stumble. He was there to catch her, and Sarah smoothly took her place in the set.
“Remember to limp.” His warm breath caressed her ear.
“I suppose this means I will not be able to dance for the rest of the evening.”
“At least the next set. Your sister will know what you should do.”
When they reached her family, Chandos brought over a chair and Theo sat. Everyone gathered around them. Theo told Matt and Grace what had happened and was pleased to see that he was as angry as she was. Dotty and Con had arrived, and they were apprised of what Ashford had done.
“Harry never liked him. I do wish he was here.” Dotty pressed her lips tightly together.
“It does not matter,” Grace said. “I would like you to accompany us to Bristol House tomorrow. I will tell his mother, and your uncle, if necessary, that Ashford is to have nothing to do with Theo.”
“I’ll accompany you as well,” Con said. “I know Bristol. He is stiff necked and will not like the subterfuge. I should not be surprised if he insists that they return to Shrewsbury.”
“While you do that I will—” Theo could not think of what she would do. She had to keep busy.
“You will allow me to accompany you to Hatchards,” Chandos suggested.
“Yes. That is perfect.” She turned to Grace. “Will I have to sit out every other set this evening?”
“No.” She tilted her head. “The next dance only.”
The dance ended, and Sarah, accompanied by Lord Marrow, joined them shortly after. “I will never stand up with him again.”
Theo knew her own reason, but what had happened to put Sarah off the man? “What did he do?”
She glanced up at the ceiling and huffed. “Every time he opened his mouth, it was to ask a question about you. He seems to think that his uncle will arrange a marriage.” Her hands landed on her hips. “Not only that, but he came here this evening to ensure himself that you would be a suitable wife.”
Theo almost dropped her jaw. “Grace, are you very sure that I must sit out the next dance?”
“Dearest, I am tempted to allow it, but that would be the equivalent of giving him a cut direct. I am not prepared to allow you to do that at this time.”
Dotty gave Theo a sympathetic look. “She is correct. It would reflect badly on you.”
“Very well.” She could not argue with her sister’s reasoning.
Lord Crewe came up to her and raised a brow. “Are you able to dance?”
“Unfortunately, I am not. I must rest my ankle for a bit.” He glanced across the room to where Miss Albright stood with her mother. Clearly, he wanted to spend time with her.
“Go on.” Theo waved him away. “Chandos will keep me company.”
Lord Crewe bowed. “You are all that is gracious, my lady.”
He glanced at Leo and winked. It occurred to Leo that Theo had been doing an excellent job of ridding him of his competition for her hand. Ashford, though, would be a problem. He wasn’t the type to be easily dissuaded. Still, there might be another solution. “Theo.”
“Hmm?” She glanced at him and had not even noticed that he’d used her name.
“If you were to find a lady for Ashford, who would it be?”
“I would not wish anyone on him.” Her tone was flat and slightly dismissive.
He agreed with her but needs must. “No, but surely there is someone who would be suitable in both temperament and rank.”
“Theo,” Miss Pettigrew said. “This is very bad of me, but what of Lady Giselle?”
Slowly, Theo turned her head toward her friend. “That might be an excellent idea. The question is how to arrange an introduction.”
The lady his mother had warned him about and who had been staring at them. But who was her family? “Lady Giselle?”
“Lady Giselle Darnel,” Miss Pettigrew said.
The woman her brother had been attempting to foist on him.
“I know her brother. I will make him known to Ashford.”
Marrow grinned. “I sense a scheme coming together.”
Leo scanned the ballroom. As luck would have it, Darnel was headed toward the card room. Ashford was standing next to an older lady. Probably his mother. “If you will excuse me. I shall not be long.”
He skirted the room and caught up with Darnel before he sat down at a table. “I know you wanted me to meet your sister, but I think I have a better gentleman than I to interest her.”
When he glanced at the card table, Leo could see the lust for play in Darnel’s eyes. “Who is it?”
“Ashford. His courtesy title is baron, but his father is the Duke of Shrewsbury.”
“She does want to be a duchess.” Darnel appeared to study Leo’s face. “Are you sure you’re not interested?”
“Absolutely. I have made my choice.” And no one or nothing was going to dissuade him. Especially now that he was sure he was in love. As it happened, he’d worked it out for himself.
“Very well. Introduce me to this future duke.”
Fortunately, Ashford was exactly where he’d been when Leo had seen him. He bowed slightly. “Lord Ashford, I’d like to introduce you to Lord Darnel.”
The lady next to Ashford poked him, and he looked as if he’d eaten a sour lemon. “Mother, may I present the Duke of Chandos. Your grace, the Duchess of Shrewsbury.”
Leo bowed, took her offered hand and kissed the air above it. “A delight to meet you. You look very like Ladies Stern and Merton.”
“My sister and niece, as I am certain you are aware.” The duchess glanced at Darnel.
“Allow me to make you known to Lord Darnel.” He bowed and took her hand as well. “Darnel, the Duchess of Shrewsbury.”
“Enchanted, your grace.”
“Excellent address, my lord. Your father is the Marquis of Mulgrave.”
“He is, your grace.”
The duchess glanced at Ashford. “Go meet her, then bring her to me so that she may be introduced to me.”
He bowed and went off with Darnel. Leo fell in with them, then turned toward Theo as soon as he could.
What he hadn’t wanted was to be stuck with the duchess until Lady Giselle was brought to her.
He strode as quickly as he could so as not to be waylaid by anyone before he could get to Theo.
“Darnel is taking Ashford to meet Lady Giselle.” He looked at Lady Merton.
“Your aunt is nothing like you and your mother.”
“No.” She shook her head. “She would not be. My mother says that her sisters and brother wed the people they were told to and are not happy in their marriages.”
Leo had heard the story about Lady Stern defying her father to wed Sir Henry, who at the time was a mere mister. “I’m glad for her that she was braver.”
Lady Merton smiled. “So are we all.”
It was time for the third dance and Theo went off with her partner. Leo stepped over to St. Albans. “When you asked me if I was in love with Theo, I did not understand what that entailed. However, I have since been struck by the almost certainty that I am in love with her. How did you know?”
“What did your mother say?”
“I didn’t ask. She wants me to wed a different type of lady.” One who would bore Leo to death before a month was out.
“Ah.” St. Albans looked over at his wife, who was speaking with her twin.
“The first time I saw her I knew I wanted her. The more I came to know her, the more I knew I had to have her in my life. My mother asked me if I wanted to be with her even when we argued. Which she assured me would happen. And when she was out of sorts. I knew that I did.” He glanced at Leo. “Is it the same with you?”
He’d wanted her when she poured a bucket of cold water on him. “It is. I can’t imagine my life without her.”
Alice came up to him and linked her arm with his. “Come with me. Lady Cowper is here. Rather than waiting until tomorrow, you will ask her now.”
Leo allowed her to tow him to her ladyship.
“My lady, it is a pleasure to see you here.” Alice gave her ladyship a polite smile. “I understand you have already made his grace’s acquaintance.”
“Lady St. Albans, how nice to see you. I have met his grace.”
Lady Cowper gave him a look of inquiry. “How may I help you?”
“My lady, I would like to be recommended to Lady Theo Vivers as a suitable partner for the waltz at Almack’s tomorrow evening.”
Her ladyship’s smile was merely polite, but her eyes danced with mirth. “Your grace, how can I refuse. You must want this very badly to have requested my assistance a day early.”
“I do.” If she only knew how badly.
“Very well. Lord and Lady Worthington always arrive when the doors open. Be there then, and I will make my recommendation.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
He and Alice were about to leave when Lady Cowper said, “There is one minor thing I will ask of you.”
He knew she’d want a pound of flesh. “Yes, my lady?”
She speared him with a look. “I want you to stand up with one of the shyer young ladies.”
That was easily done. He bowed. “I will be happy to be of assistance.”
“Very well. Until tomorrow.”
As Alice led him away, she slid him a look. “You care very much for Theo.”
This was the time to let her family know how he felt. “I’m in love with her.”
“I thought you might be.” They were almost back to their circle, when she said, “Be patient with her. She is extremely canny when it comes to others. I do not believe she knows her own mind yet.”
Being patient was the hard part. He wanted her now. “I am trying.”
Alice sighed. “You must show her who you truly are. We have all seen the changes over the past year. I do not believe she paid any attention at all.”
And that was the problem. “I don’t know how to do that except to show her that I want to be with her.”
“When you go to Hatchards, engage her in books about your estates. It will make her realize that you are serious about your holdings.”
“I was prepared to discuss novels with her. Such as Miss Austen’s books.” He’d read them while he was up at school and enjoyed them immensely.
“She will be interested in that as well.” Alice tilted her head. A habit all the sisters appeared to share. “She will appreciate that.”
They reached the family as the set was ending. Only two more before the supper dance, and he could have Theo in his arms.