Chapter Twenty-Seven
Theo dragged herself out of bed after only four hours of sleep.
Her come out ball had been a success. Everyone had commented on the floral arrangements, the desserts, and the champagne.
The only part she had not liked was having to stay up until two o’clock.
She could have slept longer, but that would put her off her schedule, and there was another ball this evening.
She was surprised to see Chandos waiting as she descended the stairs. “Good morning. I did not expect to see you.”
“Unlike some people, I was asleep before midnight. Marrow and Sarah are still abed.” He offered her his arm, which she took. “I thought you might be, as well, but I was informed you had called for Epione to be brought around. We still have time for a ride.”
They went out and he lifted her to her mare. “How was the rest of the ball?”
“Lovely. Why did you leave so early?” They rode out of the square.
“I’d already danced with you.” He grinned at her. “I was extremely surprised and delighted that the first set was a waltz. That was an unusual choice.”
She hesitated a moment before telling him the reason. “You waltz so well, that I did not want to waste the supper dance on one.”
“I’m glad. There’s no one else with whom I would rather waltz.” They had almost reached the gate, when he said, “What was the supper set?”
“A country dance.”
“Did Milford bring you what you wanted to eat?”
This was the problem with other gentlemen. They assumed too much. “He failed to ask what I liked.”
“I’ll take that is a no.” Chandos grinned smugly.
She should not have told him. “Fortunately, there was not much that I would not eat.” That should take the smile off his face.
“It was your ball.” They began to trot, then moved into a gallop.
It had been her ball. They reached the tree together as they usually did. “Very true. This evening’s entertainment will not be.”
“I do wonder what it will be like. I’ve never attended one of their balls.”
“You never attended any events that young ladies making their come out would attend.”
“Very true.” He was quiet for a second. “On the other hand, they would not have been as enjoyable before.”
What did he mean by that? “No?”
“No. There was no one who danced as well as you do.”
That could not be true. Still, it was nice to be complimented on something Theo knew she did well. Even though they were later than usual, there was no one else around. “It is peaceful here this morning.”
“It is.” They were walking their horses toward the Serpentine as they usually did. He turned and glanced behind him. “Mick is getting ready to tell us we will be late for breakfast if we don’t leave.”
She twisted around to look at her groom. “I thought the rest of the family would sleep longer.”
“The children, my lady.”
“How could I forget?” Theo yawned. “We should be going. I could use a pot or two of tea.”
“Coffee. Strong coffee.” Chandos kept pace with her as they trotted to the gate.
“Grace will not allow it in the house. The smell. It gets into the wall hangings and other soft furnishings.”
“That’s a shame, but it makes sense. When you have a home of your own will you do that as well?”
That was an interesting question coming from him. “I do not know. I suppose it would depend on how much I like coffee. I have never tasted it.” That still left the smell. “And how often I wished to change the fabrics.”
“The wall coverings could be taken care of by painting the walls. A large mural, perhaps.”
“An interesting thought.” Chandos was acting differently this morning. She could not work out the reason for it. Was it because they were alone? Relatively speaking. “I would have to give it some consideration.”
“Were you told that Ashford attempted to gain admittance to your ball?”
That got her attention. “No. When was it?”
“I saw him as I was leaving and gave the footman at the door the information that he’d not been invited.”
“Thank you. It saved me from having him thrown out.” And the risk of having him make a scene.
“That would have been fun to watch.” Chandos’s green eyes danced with mirth.
“You are incorrigible.” They stopped in front of her house. “Will you break your fast with us?”
“Not this morning. I have several things to which I must attend, and you, my lady, should try to get some more sleep. Otherwise, you won’t be fit for Lady Brownly’s ball this evening.”
Theo yawned again. “I suppose you are right. I will see you this evening.”
Chandos smiled. “The supper dance?”
“Yes.” She smiled back.
His gaze stayed on her for a long moment. “I should tell you something that I was told.”
He looked and sounded serious. “What is it?”
“Apparently, Lady Giselle wants to wed a duke and has decided on me. Naturally, I want nothing to do with her, but because I am attending these balls, I could be at risk of being compromised.”
Theo did not like the lady, but that type of behavior was beyond the pale. “I will think of something.”
“Thank you.” His eyes searched hers as if he was looking for something. “I knew I could depend upon you.”
By the time she and her family were ready to leave for the ball that evening, Theo, with the help of Mary, had devised a plan.
When they arrived at Brownly House, Theo gathered Chandos, Sarah, and Lord Marrow.
“Did Chandos tell you about Lady Giselle?” Sarah and Marrow nodded.
“The only way I can think of that she could possibly compromise him is to send him a note to meet her.”
“It probably would not be signed with her name,” Sarah said. “She will use your name.”
Theo had not thought of that. “Indeed. Still, we must give her the opportunity to have him receive the note.”
“What if some other gentleman received the message?” Lord Marrow said.
“That would involve an innocent.” That was the hard part. If Chandos just did not go, Lady Giselle would try again. Therefore, someone had to meet her.
“She has been seen with Ashford lately,” Chandos commented.
“That would be perfect.” Sarah grinned. “They can have each other. She wants a duke, and he will be a duke, and it would keep him away from you, Theo.”
“I’ll have to appear as if I’m available to receive a note.” Chandos glanced at Lord Marrow. “We should take to strolling the ballrooms.”
“I agree.” He nodded. “I think this will work.”
“Do not look now, but Ashford has entered the room.”
“What I do not understand is why he seems to be assisting her.” What did he have to gain?
“And there is Lady Giselle with her mother,” Sarah said. “Very well.” Theo’s shoulders tightened as if she was about to do battle. Or how she thought that would feel. “Let us begin our scheme.”
If Leo hadn’t already been in love with Theo, he would be now.
Seeing her take charge of keeping him safe from being compromised was incredible.
As to Ashford, she might not know why he would help Lady Giselle, but Leo did.
The bounder obviously thought that with him out of the way, he’d have a chance with Theo.
He glanced down at her. “Are you obligated for every set?”
“No.” Her lips curved up. “You were right. I did require more sleep. I received requests but turned down some. I am only dancing four sets, to include the supper dance. I have my first dance with Lord Milford. The second with Lord Bolingbroke. Then I am free for one set. Another dance, and so on.”
“While you are dancing, I will stroll the room with Marrow.” As long as Marrow wasn’t standing up with Sarah. They would have to coordinate this plan for the next entertainment and the ones after until the lady played her hand. “I have to say that this takes the enjoyment out of these events.”
“Do you really think so?” Sarah frowned. “For me it makes them more interesting.”
Marrow huffed. “That is because you, my love, are not the potential victim.”
She shrugged. “You are right, of course. I would not like it at all if someone was attempting to compromise me.”
By the end of the evening, Leo was frustrated. “Lady Giselle and Ashford are both spending a great deal of time watching us, or rather me, but they did nothing.”
Theo put her hand on Leo’s arm. “This is the first time you have given them a chance to approach you. It might take a few nights.”
“I suppose it will.” He wanted this over. “I just do not like waiting around like a bird to be shot.”
“Hmm.” She gazed up at him. “Do birds just stand around waiting to be killed?”
“No, it was a bad analogy. Animals have more sense than to make themselves vulnerable.”
A few evenings later, Theo, her family, and Chandos arrived at the ball being given by Lady Smythe and her sister-in-law Mrs. Smythe.
It appeared as if every member of the ton had been invited and it was still early.
Generally, Grace and Matt preferred smaller balls.
Tonight, Theo and her family were only here because her mother was friends with Lady Smythe and had promised Theo would attend.
She scanned the crowded ballroom. Near a set of French windows at the other end of the room, Lady Giselle was in conversation with Lord Ashford, then he left.
Considering that Lady Giselle attended very few of the same balls as Theo, her presence could not be good.
Lord Ashford was, unfortunately, invited everywhere. Except for Theo’s ball.
“What or who are you looking at?” Chandos twined his arm with hers.
“Lady Giselle. Lord Ashford was with her, but he left.”
Chandos took a deep breath and grimaced. “It does appear that the Smythes decided the larger the ball the better.”
Theo averted her eyes when Lady Giselle glanced in Theo’s direction. “Do not look.”
“I’m not.” Ever since one of the gentlemen Chandos knew had added to the warning his mother had given him about Lady Giselle, Theo and he had been on their guard. “Do you think it will be this evening?”