Chapter Twenty-Five
After breakfast the next day, the flowers started to arrive as well as trinkets. One was a gold heart charm hanging from a gold safety pin. Theo opened the note that had been placed in the velvet pouch.
For the most beautiful lady in England.
With deep respect and regard,
Milford
“I cannot accept this.” It must be too expensive.
Grace entered the hall. “What is it?”
Theo held up the pin. “It is from Lord Milford. It must be too expensive to accept.”
Her sister took it from her and inspected. “It actually is not. I saw one when I was shopping and almost got it for Elizabeth. My concern was that one of the twins would find it and hurt themselves trying to open it.”
So much for that idea. Theo had to keep it. Or give it to Elizabeth with express directions to keep it away from the younger children. “Very well.”
Grace began sifting through the other gifts that were on a long side table against the wall. “What is this?” She held up a pouch the size of a reticule. “Open it.”
Theo took the bag and took out the fan inside. Even closed one could see it was beautiful. A long narrow note fell out when she opened the fan.
Dear Theo,
I hope you can find a use for this. It’s made to fit in a reticule.
I will see you at luncheon.
Yr. Servant,
Chandos
The fan had a pale yellow background with a Georgian scene of children playing. On each spoke was a small amethyst. “How practical.”
“I guarantee that fan costs more than the pin,” Grace opined.
Theo hoped she did not have to return it. “What does that mean?”
“That a piece of jewelry is not necessarily more expensive than a fan that you would naturally want to keep.”
“I understand.” Theo picked up the pin again. “It is a pretty trinket.”
“Be careful if you decide to wear it. Lord Milford might think that you are interested in him.”
It was definitely going to Elizabeth. “I shall.” She continued looking through the other presents. She held up a silver thimble. “Whoever sent me this will not be thanked.”
Grace looked as if she’d laugh. “I do wonder if it is an indication of what he thinks a lady’s role should be, or a lack of imagination.”
Mary came from the direction of the music room. “What have you received today?”
“Have a look.” Theo showed her youngest sister the thimble. “Do you have any use for this?”
“No, but Nurse might.”
That was an idea. “I’ll ask her. If you find anything you like, you make keep it.”
“Thank you.” Mary grinned. “What are you holding?”
Theo had forgotten she had not put the fan back down. “It’s a gift from Chandos. A fan that will fit in a reticule.”
“I doubt you will find anything you like better than that.”
“I think you are correct. What are you doing this morning?” Theo missed Mary. Their lives were so different now.
“French, Italian, and German. Do you want to join me?”
Considering Mary spoke all three languages better than Theo. “No?”
Her sister laughed. “I would not if I were you. I will be discussing political situations in each language.”
“With whom and where?”
“With Martha at Merton House. Dom has arranged it.” Mary chuckled. “Martha was complaining that we never get any real experience conversing with native speakers.”
That made sense. “When do you leave?”
A knock came on the door. “Now. I must get my hat and gloves.”
“Theo, I would like you to accompany me on morning visits,” Grace said.
“I would like that.” Even though morning visits could be fraught, they were also interesting. Theo was glad Chandos was going to join them at luncheon. She would have an opportunity to thank him for the gift.
Lady Pettigrew and Sarah joined them for morning visits that afternoon.
Partway through the visits they came across Miss Cunningham, who motioned for them to come sit next to her. “I have been hoping to see the two of you.”
Theo sat on the sofa next to the lady. “Is there anything with which I can help you?”
“Not help exactly. I met a number of gentlemen last night.” She smiled.
“Thank you for allowing the duke to stand up with me.” Theo wanted to tell Miss Cunningham that he did not belong to Theo, but Miss Cunningham continued.
“After the first dance, I met a number of gentlemen.” Her forehead wrinkled.
“The problem is that neither my mother nor I know anything about them. I would like to believe that the Patronesses would not present anyone who was unsuitable, but at the last house, a few ladies were saying that there were some gentlemen whom they would not allow to be presented to their daughters.”
That would be a problem. “We can make sure your mother knows my sister, Lady Worthington. She would be able to advise you.”
Sarah took a small chair next to the sofa. “Is there anyone in particular you want to know about?”
Miss Cunningham colored slightly. “I was taken with Lord Bolingbroke. He was very nice and conversed with a great deal of sense.”
Theo exchanged a look with Sarah, and said, “He is nice. Did he send you flowers or anything this morning?”
“Oh, yes! He sent a bouquet of wildflowers. I mentioned to him that I liked them much better than the cultivated ones.”
That was excellent. “Would you like to go riding with me this afternoon during the Grand Strut? It would not surprise me if we saw his lordship.”
“If you would not mind taking me.” Miss Cunningham’s blush deepened. “I would love it.”
“Theo, will you take your high-perched phaeton?” Sarah asked.
Miss Cunningham’s face immediately lost all color.
Theo took a breath. For the sake of making another match, she could sacrifice driving. “No, I believe we should take the landau. That way we can all go. I will just ask my sister.” She looked at Sarah again. “Unless you are already otherwise engaged.”
“It is no problem. I will tell Marrow that I am driving with you today.”
“Oh, thank you.” Miss Cunningham’s color returned. “You must think it very cowardly to be afraid of the high-perched phaetons. I was in one once and experienced vertigo.”
Theo had never heard of it happening in a carriage, but she did know that some people got vertigo from being in high places. “Think nothing of it.” She took out her notebook and pencil. “If you give me your address, we will collect you at five.”
Before leaving the house, she made sure that Mrs. Cunningham was introduced to Grace and confirmed that Theo could use the landau that afternoon.
The meeting that Chandos was in with her brothers broke up at three, and he was invited to remain to drink tea with them.
After he and Theo had their tea and biscuits, they repaired to the window seat. “I saw Miss Cunningham during morning visits today.”
“How was she? I hope she had a sufficient number of dance partners.”
“She did.” Theo grinned at him. “She is particularly interested in Lord Bolingbroke.”
Chandos’s eyes twinkled as he gazed back at her. “Bolingbroke. That’s very interesting.”
“That is what Sarah and I thought. So, I decided to take the landau so that we could all go out together during the Fashionable Hour. I know we were to go together, but you do not mind, do you?”
“Not at all.” In fact, Leo would be happy to have Bolingbroke interested in a lady other than Theo. “I’ll bring my horse and meet you there.”
“That is a wonderful idea. I wish someone could tell his lordship that we were going to be at the Park.”
Leo could probably help with that. “Let me see what I can do.” Theo’s smile made his heart beat harder. It also made his cock take notice. Soon. After her come out ball, he could begin courting her. That reminded him. “May I have your first dance at your come out ball?”
She gave him a curious look. “You usually want the supper dance.”
“If you must know, I have been informed that you will be so busy with your guests that I’m better off asking for your first set.”
A light tinkling laugh escaped her lips. “Yes, you may have my first dance.”
He hoped it was a waltz, but knew it wasn’t likely to be.” The clock chimed the hour. “I had better go. Are you fetching Miss Cunningham?”
“I am.”
“I’ll see you here just before five.” He rose and bowed over the hand she had held out.
“Yes. I am very glad you are supporting this cause.”
“It’s my pleasure to assist.” She started to rise. “I know my way out but thank you.”
Once he arrived home, he gave orders for his horse to be ready no later than quarter to five. Then he called for his butler.
“Your grace?”
“I need to know where the Earl of Bolingbroke resides.” Leo could send a note, but a personal visit might be better. If the man was even home.
“Straightaway, your grace.” A few minutes later, Hoover returned. “He has a house at number five, Upper Grosvenor Street.”
“Excellent work. Thank you.”
“It is my pleasure, your grace.” Hoover bowed.
Leo went to his chambers to change, and he didn’t have much time. It had taken almost fifteen minutes to walk from Worthington House to home.
He found his valet in the dressing room. “I’m going riding.”
“Yes, your grace. I will be just a moment.”
In the extremely short time of twenty minutes, Leo was descending the stairs.
“Your horse is ready, your grace,” a footman said.
“Thank you.” Several minutes later, he stopped in front of Bolingbroke House. As luck would have it, a horse was being brought around. “Is that for Lord Bolingbroke?”
“Yes, sir,” the groom replied.
“Tell him Chandos is here and would like to speak with him.”
“What do you have to tell me other than to stay away from Lady Theo?” Bolingbroke said as he approached.
“I would like to invite you to join me. Lady Theo, Miss Pettigrew, and a Miss Cunningham are taking a drive this afternoon. I was told you might be interested in joining us.”
At first his lordship had a blank expression on his face, then he smiled slightly. “I would indeed. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Bolingbroke mounted his gelding. “What made you think of me?”
“I was told you danced with her last night, and Lady Theo informed me that she was taking the lady on a ride in the Worthington landau.”
“Not her phaeton?”
“Er, no. There isn’t enough room for three of them in the phaeton.”
They rode toward Berkeley Square. “What are your intensions toward Lady Theo?”
“I wish to marry her, but I promised not to court her in earnest until after her come out ball.”
His lordship appeared surprised. “How long have your known her?”
“A few years now. I formed the decision to make her my wife last summer. I’ve just been waiting.”
“I would think her family would be ecstatic at the idea a duke was interested in marrying her.”
“That’s because you don’t know her family. They already have one duke and the heir of a duke, and they don’t care at all about a gentlemen’s rank. It is his character that matters, and, of course, his ability to support a family. One must also agree to attend family get-togethers.”
Bolingbroke’s jaw dropped. “You’re joking.”
“I am most certainly not. At present, I am walking a fine line with her ladyship. Thank the deities that her ball is tomorrow.”
“She must be running around like mad. I know my sister did.”
“Not she.” Which was rather odd. “She’s barely mentioned it.” Then again, knowing Theo, she had the whole thing planned months ago and trusted her servants to carry out her wishes.
“How did you find Miss Cunningham?”
“Charming.” Bolingbroke’s countenance softened.
“She looks like a fairy princess, but she is extremely practical.” They were almost to Berkeley Square when he said, “They are late coming to town because her grandmother was ill. She had a feeling it was the old lady’s way of getting attention.
She went to her grandmother and told her that if she did not recover soon, she would not be able to have her come out. ”
Leo barked a laugh. He would have described that as more ruthless than practical. Although, it was quite practical. “I take it there was a miraculous recovery.”
Bolingbroke grinned. “Within days Miss Cunningham and her mother were making the trip south.”
The landau was out front waiting when they arrived. Theo and Miss Pettigrew were exiting the house, and Marrow was waiting by his horse. Leo dismounted and assisted Theo into the carriage. “I remember the first time I saw this landau. I’d never seen one so large.”
“The children begged to come, but they would have to have maids with them, and that would be a distraction.”
“I can see how it would be. Let’s be off to collect Miss Cunningham.”
Theo gave the coachman his leave to start the horses, and they made their way to Green Street where the Cunninghams had leased a house for the Season.
Once they’d arrived, a footman went to the door and knocked.
A minute or so later, Miss Cunningham descended the short steps to the pavement. “Good afternoon.” When she saw Bolingbroke, who’d dismounted, she blushed prettily. “My lord, how nice of you to join us.”
He offered his arm and assisted her into the carriage. “It is entirely my pleasure, Miss Cunningham.”
Leo saw the excited look she flashed the other two ladies as she settled onto the bench. Theo and Miss Pettigrew smiled in response.
They made slow progress around the Park, which was probably intended. Leo would have preferred to have Theo to himself, but he could see that Bolingbroke and Miss Cunningham were quickly forming a bond of some sort.
As they headed back toward the gate, he had an idea. “Would everyone like to go to Gunter’s?”
“I would love it,” Theo said immediately.
“As would I,” Miss Pettigrew agreed.
Miss Cunningham appeared confused. “What is Gunter’s?”
“They have the most excellent ices,” Bolingbroke said. “I highly recommend them.”
“In that case, how can I refuse.” She glanced at Leo. “Thank you, your grace.”
Leo considered the possibility that he’d have to open an account at the tea shop, then his lordship sidled beside him. “I will pay for Miss Cunningham’s ice.”
“As you wish.”
“Miss Cunningham,” Theo said. “I would like to invite you to my come out ball tomorrow evening. I shall have an invitation sent around when I arrive at home.”
“I would be delighted.” The lady’s smile widened. “Thank you so much.”
He glanced at Bolingbroke and raised a brow, silently asking if he had been invited as well. Bolingbroke nodded.
Leo shot a grin at Theo, who returned the smile. They worked so well together. He prayed that she saw that as well.