Chapter Twenty-Four
Theo had been surprised that Chandos had asked for advice on estate management.
He was really very knowledgeable. What was even more interesting was his love of Miss Austen.
Of course, that had given Theo the opportunity to introduce him to some other authors she also read.
After they had finished at Hatchards they went to the Burlington Arcade.
Theo wanted a new fan for the gown she would wear to Almack’s that evening.
“What color is your gown?” Chandos asked as he perused the collection of fans.
“It is a deep butter yellow with Pomona green trim.”
“And your reticule?”
“Pomona green.” She joined him looking at the fans. “Here is one.” It was a very pretty scene of a Georgian couple under a tree. “The only problem is that the colors will not go with the gown I am wearing this evening. It will, however, go with another gown.”
“What about this?” Chandos held up a delicate fan of lace with gold trim.
“That is lovely. But I am not wearing any gold.”
He stood close to her. “You could wear gold-tipped hairpins.”
“Perhaps with pearls.”
“Perfect.” He went to another area of the store and found the hairpins. “What do you think of these?”
They were small gold-flowered hairpins with pearls in the middle. “They are lovely.” She held out her hand. “Once I pay for these we can go.”
He held them close to his chest. “I will buy them for you. After all, I haven’t sent any flowers, and I guarantee that these ornaments will not cost nearly what some of those bouquets do. You need not worry about the fan and pins being inappropriate.”
Theo knew the fan was not inexpensive, but she had no idea what flowers cost. Chandos would be a much better judge of that. “Very well. Thank you.”
“It is entirely my pleasure.” He made the purchase, and they returned to her phaeton and added the package to the books in the carrying space. “Do you think your brother and sister are back from Bristol House yet?”
“They must be.” She looked at her brooch watch. “It has been almost two hours.”
He helped her into the vehicle. “I’ll be interested in hearing what occurred.”
“As will I.” She waited until he was seated before giving the horses their office. “You should stay for tea.”
“Thank you.” He smiled and, for a brief minute, butterflies took up residence in her breast. “I would be delighted.”
As she drew up in front of the house, her brother’s town coach was being led away. “I wonder what happened to take so long?”
“I suspect we’ll find out shortly.” Chandos jumped down and came around to her side of the phaeton. When he clasped his hands around her waist and lifted her down, the butterflies returned. It was disconcerting to say the least. Theo sucked in a breath just to make sure she could still breathe.
The door opened as they approached it. Thorton bowed. “Tea will be served in the morning room. His lordship and her ladyship will be there momentarily.”
Theo kept her voice low. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Chandos took her arm, and they made their way to the parlor. The only ones there were the footmen setting out the sandwiches, tarts, and biscuits.
“I wonder where everyone is?” Surely Grace would have everyone here to learn what had happened.
“We’re coming,” Charlotte said. “Some of us are just quicker than others.”
“Some of you live closer,” Eleanor responded.
“That is fair.” They took their seats as the teapots were carried in. “The children will have tea in the schoolroom.”
“That sounds serious.” Madeline said as she and Harry strolled into the morning room. “I am sorry that we missed the ball last evening.” She bussed Theo’s cheek.
“There is nothing you could have done.”
“There is something I could have done,” Harry said. “I never liked Ashford. I would have stopped him from being presented to you.”
Soon the rest of them had arrived as well as Matt and Grace.
Matt stood as tea was being poured out. “Here are how things stand. I made very clear that Theo would not have anything to do with Lord Ashford. His uncle made clear that Ashford wanted to wed Theo. They even went so far as to make a proposal of marriage. I explained that I had never arranged a match for one of my sisters and I would not start now.” He looked at her.
“You may treat him as you wish. If he approaches you, tell one of us. If you are with your footman or groom, they will be allowed to take any action they deem necessary to see you are safe.”
“I understand.” Theo would also start carrying her knife and her pistol.
“I’ll send a groom with you this afternoon.”
She nodded once.
“I will be there as well,” Chandos said.
“I asked him to come.” Firstly, because she was not at all happy with Bolingbroke, and second, she did not trust Ashford. “I just wanted a nice calm Season.”
“You did not want a Season at all,” Mary retorted.
“I might have been better off waiting.”
That made everyone groan. “Enough,” Alice said. “You are having your Season. It has merely become a bit more interesting.”
Theo could do without all the interest. She turned to Chandos. “Shall we send for your hack?”
“If you please. I want to be here when Bolingbroke arrives.”
A thought occurred to Theo. “Maybe I can find a match for him.”
“Do you have anyone in mind?” He accepted a cup of tea.
“Possibly. Lady Lana Grant.” The only problem was that she was Lady Giselle’s good friend. “I will think about it.”
The other thing Theo had to think about was her recent reactions to Chandos. She could not allow herself to fall in love with him. Not after hearing what those ladies had said. Not after what she knew of his past.
Asclepius arrived at the same time as Bolingbroke. Leo had already assisted Theo onto her mare. Not that she required help. He just liked doing it. Then again, she couldn’t use the same technique she used in the country. He mounted his horse.
The other gentleman smiled at them both. “Lady Theo, are you ready to go?”
“In a moment.” Mick, her groom, rode up. “I am ready now.”
“I’m ready as well.” Leo smiled at Bolingbroke. “Shall we?”
“I did not know you were joining us, your grace.” He couldn’t hide his disappointment at not having Theo to himself.
“I felt like I needed a ride after tea.”
“You were here for tea?” Bolingbroke appeared more and more distressed, which suited Leo. Sooner or later, the man would get the hint that Theo was his.
“I frequently drink tea here.” He could have added that he broke his fast and dined with them as well, but he’d save that for use if he needed it.
They rode three across until they reached Park Lane, then Leo rode beside Theo, leaving Bolingbroke to ride with the groom.
“You really should not have done that.” She glanced at Leo as they entered the gate.
He tried to give her a contrite look. “I couldn’t help myself.”
“He does seem to be quite deferential to you.”
“I am a duke.” Not that it mattered to her at all.
She shrugged as Bolingbroke caught up to them.
Unsurprisingly, other gentlemen on horseback joined them.
Leo decided to hang back and watch the fribbles attempt to gain her attention.
One of them said something she obviously didn’t like, and, for a second, she looked as if she’d like to hit him with something hard.
The idiot said something else, and she smiled politely.
He knew the smile did not reach her expressive eyes.
God, she was good at that. Finally, they made their way back to the gate and departed.
Leo wanted to ask her if she would like to go to Gunter’s, but he’d have to take Bolingbroke, which Leo would not do.
He rode with them to Worthington House and waited until Bolingbroke took his leave.
She didn’t know that Leo would be dancing the waltz with her.
That was a surprise. Would she be hurt if he didn’t ask for a set?
Or would she work it out? Or had he asked for a set already?
He had a vague recollection of doing so, but he usually asked her to stand up with him.
Leo had no idea if Worthington would allow him to stand up twice with her, but he wouldn’t know if he didn’t try.
“I’ll see you at Almack’s. Do you have the supper dance free? ”
“My lady, Payne has been asking for you,” Thorton said.
Leo raised a brow. “Payne?”
“My maid. I must bathe before dinner.” Theo smiled. “I have almost all my dances free. I’m glad you were there today.”
He considered giving her a flip response but decided not to. “I am as well. Until this evening.”
“Yes, until then.”
He arrived home to find a note from Alice St. Albans inviting him to dine with them before going to Almack’s.
He quickly dashed off an acceptance, then went to his secretary’s office. “Is there anything urgent?”
Whiting shook his head. “No, your grace. Although, her grace left a message asking you to request a waltz with a young lady.”
This is what it had come to. Mama writing notes to him. Leo would have to reconcile with her later. After he and Theo were betrothed. “Inform her that I already have plans to ask permission to waltz with another lady.”
“Yes, your grace. I wish you a pleasant evening.”
“To you as well.”
Alice, St. Albans, and Leo arrived at Almack’s as the doors opened. He was surprised to see how plain it was. Simply one large open room with long windows hung with blue curtains. There were not even any alcoves.
Lady Cowper was waiting for them. “My lady, your grace, my lord.” They curtseyed and bowed. “As soon as Lady Theo arrives, I will take you to her. The first dance will be the minuet. I will introduce you to a Miss Cunningham.”
Leo bowed. “It will be my pleasure to stand up with her, my lady.”
“I warn you.” Her ladyship speared him with a look. “Duke or not, you will not be allowed to avoid dancing with other young ladies this evening. From what I have heard, thus far, hostesses have been far too easy on you.”