Chapter Twenty-Eight
Several minutes after the announcement had been made, and Giselle had had to paste a smile on her face as best wishes were offered to her, she was taken out of the ballroom by her mother.
“I cannot believe you tried such a trick.” Mama glared at Giselle. “You are very lucky Ashford acted as he should. If he had not, your reputation would be ruined.”
“You did it. You told me you did.” It was not fair that Giselle was being blamed for the same behavior her mother had engaged in. Strangely, Ashford was not that upset. He knew they had been played and did not seem to care. But she did not want to live in Shrewsbury or be buried in the country.
Her mother’s lips flattened. “My father was going to marry me to an ogre more than twice my age. Your father and I planned to be compromised.”
That Giselle had not known. “I am sorry, Mama.”
“We will arrange the wedding to be soon. Not immediately.
That would cause too much talk.” She adjusted her shawl. “Well, my dear, you got your wish. You will be a duchess.”
But not for years. Who knew how long Ashford’s father would live? Chandos was already a duke.
“We will have to make an appointment with our modiste.” Mama frowned at Giselle’s bodice and shook her head. “That bodice is ruined, and I will not replace it.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “I suppose it does not matter. You will require different gowns for when you have wed. Until then, you will simply have to make do with what you have.”
She did not have that many ballgowns. The idea had been to have enough that she would not have to wear a gown more than a few times. Yet, there was no arguing with her mother. “Yes, Mama. When will I marry?”
“The duchess said she thinks in three weeks’ time. That way no one will believe you could be with child. You did not—”
“No!” Giselle would have with Chandos, but not Ashford. Although, she would have to when they wed. She hoped he knew what he was doing. Everyone knew Chandos did.
A footman assisted them into their town coach.
Giselle sat back against the squabs. She knew, she did not know how, but she knew Lady Theo was responsible for this debacle because she wanted to wed Chandos.
Giselle had heard the story that he was a family friend.
But she had seen the way Lady Theo looked at him.
Somehow, Giselle would get back at Lady Theo.
Giselle would make sure that Lady Theo disgraced herself so badly that Chandos would not want to marry her.
At the moment, Lady Theo thought she had won.
Yet, if Giselle could not marry whom she wanted, then Lady Theo would not either.
The next morning, Mary came into Theo’s room. “I thought I might find you here.”
Other than when Mary had helped Theo think of the scheme to stop Lady Giselle, Theo and her sister had not spent much time together this Season. Mary always seemed to be busy with her studies, and Theo, of course, had things she must do during her come out. She grinned. “As you see.”
Her sister sat on the chair next to the desk where Theo was reading. “I heard that the scheme worked.”
“Yes.” As Mary had played a part in the idea, she deserved to know the result. “Lady Giselle is now engaged to Lord Ashford.”
“I am glad to hear it.” Mary tilted her head to one side. “But what about you? Who will you marry?”
Theo closed her book. “I do not know.”
“If you continue to find matches for the gentlemen who are interested in you, there will soon be no one left.” Mary paused. “Except for Chandos.”
“He is turning out to be not at all what I expected.” Theo was torn about him.
He still did not have a mistress. He had taken control of his estates, and he was attending the Lords.
He was also extremely kind to her. The only question was would his behavior last. “But still. I do not know if I can trust him.”
“It appears to me that he is in love with you. You were greatly attracted to him at Christmas. Are you still?” Mary kept her gaze fixed on Theo.
“Yes.” She rubbed her face. “No. I do not know. I am trying not to think about Chandos. I do not want to fall in love with him.”
“I seem to remember Madeline not wanting to fall in love with Harry because her mother would not approve. It did not work. She fell in love with him anyway.”
“The heart wants what the heart wants.” Theo had heard that often enough. “I will not have my heart broken when he takes a mistress. I cannot. I do not trust easily as it is.”
“What will you do if he declares himself?”
She stared at Mary. It was almost as if she knew something Theo did not. “Will he?”
“He has asked for permission to court you,” Mary confirmed.
“I thought he was spending time with me because of his friendship with Charlie.” Theo did not understand.
He had not been particularly lover-like.
“I do not know what to do.” She did not even want to think about it, and she did not believe he was serious.
“He already said that he was not interested in meeting young ladies.”
“Very well, then. Perhaps I am mistaken.” Mary rose from the chair. “I must go. I will see you later.” She leaned down and bussed Theo’s cheek. “Good luck.”
“Thank you. But I think I will not wed this Season.”
“As you will.” Her sister smiled as she walked out of the room.
Theo glanced at her brooch watch. She had a few minutes more before she had to leave to meet her friends to go shopping.
They were gathering here because Worthington House was the most central place to meet.
She finished the chapter and donned her bonnet, gloves, and spencer.
The doorbell chimed, and she went downstairs.
Sarah, Patricia Marrow, and Felice Albright had arrived along with their maids.
The doorbell rang again, and Sophie Cunningham entered. “I am sorry to be late.”
“You are not.” Theo smiled. Jones, her footman, entered the hall. “We are ready to depart.” They had decided to walk to Bruton Street, and she had arranged for the town coach to pick them up at Hatchards in three hours. That would give them time to visit the shops and browse books.
“I have news,” Felice said as they walked down the steps. “Crewe and I are engaged to be married.”
“That is wonderful.” Sarah smiled widely. “Best wishes to you.”
“Yes, indeed.” Patricia grinned. “I will tell you my news as well. Holland is meeting with my father today to ask for my hand.”
They congratulated her and looked at Sophie.
“We are not quite as far along, but Bolingbroke’s mother has arrived in Town and my parents and I have been invited to dine with her. I believe it is important to meet his family before any decisions are made.”
“A very smart thing to do,” Sarah said. “Although, if I had to depend on my parents to be part of Marrow’s decision, we would not be getting married.”
She was probably right, Theo thought. Especially her father.
“Has everyone heard that Lady Giselle and Lord Ashford are engaged to be married?” Sophie asked.
“I had not,” Patricia said. “When did that happen?”
“Last night at the Smythe ball,” Felice said. “Did you not attend?”
“No. My mother is not on good terms with Mrs. Smythe. We received an invitation, but Mama sent our regrets.”
“Theo, what of you and Chandos? Have you decided to wed?”
What was it about today that she was being asked about marrying him? “We are just friends.”
Felice raised a brow. “How can you believe that? He has been dancing attendance on you since before the Season began.”
“Indeed,” Patricia said. “He has eyes for no other lady.”
“He is not looking to marry. He said he was not interested in meeting unmarried ladies.”
“Why would he want to meet other ladies when he has decided on you?” Sarah added.
“Theo, you cannot actually believe he only wants to be your friend. I have seen the way he looks at you. He does not even notice other ladies. Even Lady Giselle who was attempting to trick him into marriage. He never could remember what she looked like or even her name. Do you have no feelings for him at all?”
Theo did. That was the problem. The heart wanted what the heart wanted, and her heart wanted Chandos. Still, she would keep it to herself. “I do not wish to talk about it. Truly we are no more than friends.”
“Very well,” Patricia conceded. “Are we all going to Lady Howe’s ball this evening?”
Thankfully, talk turned to the ball and what everyone was wearing.
They all decided to go to Burlington Arcade for various things they needed.
Yet, when they got to the shop with the fans, all Theo could think about was Chandos selecting the fan for her, and the fan that he sent to her house.
Was he, could he, be in love with her? How would she even know if he did not say anything?
If only she was not falling in love with him.
Who was she trying to fool. She was already in love with him.
When Theo arrived at the ball that evening, Sarah came up to her. “Will you go with me to the ladies’ room?”
“Yes. I need to visit it as well. Do you know where it is located?”
“Up the stairs and to the right. I hope it is not crowded.”
Theo did too. When they arrived a maid directed them to the screens that had been set up. Theo was glad that the chamber pots were incorporated into stools. The door opened and two women were talking. She recognized the nasal tone of the first one.
“Have you heard that Chandos finally selected a mistress?” the lady asked.
“My brother told me that he held a contest to pick the one he’d have for the Season,” the second one said.
“A contest?” Theo could hear the lady’s eyes widen. “What did they do?”
“They had to perform certain acts on him. Something no lady would do, I am certain.”
“Do not be a prude. Those acts are what make relations so pleasurable,” Nasally said.
The other woman sighed. “I only wish my husband would ask or even suggest that we do something other than doing it in our nightclothes.”
“Do you really want to see him naked?”
“At least it would be different.” Another sigh. “Perhaps I should take a lover. I hear Lord D is amenable to bedding married women.”
Theo could not believe what she was hearing. Hot tears sprang to her eyes. Just as she had decided she was in love with Chandos, he did something like this. She had been right all along. He had no desire to wed. She had to leave now. But how could she when those ladies were still talking?
“Excuse me, but do you really think you should be speaking about such things where others, especially young ladies, can overhear you?” Sarah said.
The door opened and shut as if they had run out.
“Thank you.” Theo wanted to leave the ball, leave Town, and never see Chandos again.
“They should be ashamed of themselves having that sort of conversation where anyone could hear them. If that one lady does take a lover, I hope her husband finds out and banishes her to the country.”
Theo stood and shook out her skirts. “I agree.”
When she came out from behind the screen, Sarah looked at her with compassion. “Are you all right? I would not believe a word they said about Chandos.”
“It is fine. I knew it would happen at some point.” Theo just wished it had happened sooner. Before she had fallen in love with him.
“Would you like to take a stroll? We can ask if Patricia and Felice would like to come with us.”
“I would like to get some air, but we will be safe by ourselves. I shall tell one of my sisters or brothers where we are going.”
“As you like.” Sarah linked her arm with Theo’s.
They saw Charlotte and told her what they were going to do. “Do not be long.”
Fortunately, Theo did not have another dance scheduled. She had refused all of them because she only wanted to stand up with Chandos. What a mistake that was. As soon as Theo could calm herself, she would tell her sister that she wanted to go home.
Even though it was still light, the gardens were decorated with lanterns.
A great many people were strolling around.
Lady Giselle was there with one or two of her friends.
Chandos was speaking with St. Albans. She did not want to see him before she had got herself under control.
Especially now. She took a step forward to turn down another path, when she felt a shoe on her leg.
The next thing she knew she was falling forward, then strong arms caught her, bringing her to a hard chest. A scent of clean man and lemon filled her senses.
Chandos! No! This could not be happening.
Gasps sounded from ladies who must have been nearby.
He shifted her so that she was by his side. His arm still tightly around her. Binding her to his side. “Excuse us. Lady Theo has just agreed to become my wife.” She tried to wiggle free, and his breath caressed her ear. “Stop. We don’t want a scene.”
He was right. The only thing to do was to come up with a way out of this. Theo stood straighter, turned toward him, but could not look at his face. She patted his chest. “Do not worry. I know you do not wish to wed. I will think of a way out of this.”