“No, thank you. Mathers will know what to do. Please make my excuses to Lady Theo.”
“Naturally, I will. Get a good night’s sleep. I’m sure all will be well come morning.”
Mary gave Caro a quick hug. “Of course. Thank you.”
Several moments later, Mary entered her empty chamber. Not expecting her mistress to retire so early, Mathers was probably with the rest of the servants. Perhaps some time alone would help Mary think. She toed off her silk slippers, moved to the dressing table, took the pins and ribbon out of her hair, then dragged a comb through her curls. This visit was not going at all as she’d thought it would. She wished she was back at Rose Hill, or that she’d never gone to Northumberland in the first place. The only good thing that had happened was that she wasn’t dodging her cousin.
Theo watched Mr. Featherton as he, once again, glanced around the drawing room, his frown deepening. All evening he and Lady Mary had been casting looks at each other when they thought no one else was watching. It would make short work of marrying them both off, if the young couple were enamored of each other, but before involving herself, Theo resolved to discover what was going on. She’d been on the wrong end of believing two young people were in love before. She was older and, hopefully, wiser now.
She strolled up to Huntley, who was standing with his wife. “Caro, my dear.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“None of that now, we are of the same rank, and related. I know you are much too well mannered to mention the age difference. I insist you call me Theo.” She linked her arm with Caro. “Come with me if you would. We’ve hardly had time to get to know one another, and I’d like to speak with you for a bit.”
Huntley raised his wife’s fingers to his lips. “I’ll be here waiting for you.”
Well, that was nice to see. Love was important in a marriage. She glanced at her husband. Which was the very reason she’d married the sometimes ill-natured younger son of a Scottish peer. What a rowwith her father that had been. “I’ll come right to the point. Am I mistaken, or do I sense something between Lady Mary and Mr. Featherton?”
“You are perfectly correct.” Caro paused for a moment. “The problem, as I see it, is that they are not only both reserved, but Mary is a romantic. You know Mr. Featherton’s reputation.”
“Ah yes. Mr. Perfect.”
“Indeed.” Caro glanced up with a disgusted look. “Mary is waiting for an overt sign from him, and he is too proper to give it. He says he will not insult her honor.”
Theo couldn’t stop a huff. “There are times when a lady’s honor needs to be insulted. What a muddle.”
“That is what we’ve been thinking.” Her niece shook her head. “Nothing any of us says seems to work. I’m quite sure if we locked them in a room together, they’d end up playing cribbage.”
This was the most interesting case of courtship going astray Theo had seen in years. “They do not appear to be dullards.”
“No, not in the least.” Caro’s lips formed a thin line. “Both Mary and Kit, Mr. Featherton, are intelligent, well-informed individuals with a great many talents and interests. It’s just, when it comes to one another, they don’t know what to do.”
“Love can make fools of greater people then they are. Let me put my mind to it. I’m sure I can come up with a solution. In the meantime, we shall go on with my plans.”
“Of introducing them to other people?”
“Indeed. Come to think of it, a little jealousy might be just what is needed for at least one of them to forget him- or herself.”
“I’ll not disagree with you.” Caro sighed. “But I know for a fact, Kit has never lost his temper in public.”
“Well, then it’s about time he did.” And Theo knew just the gentleman to do it. As long as the rake remained a gentleman with Mary, the scheme forming in Theo’s mind would do the trick.
Kit excused himself shortly after tea. Caro had mentioned Mary having a headache, and he wished he could make sure she was all right. He reached the top of the staircase and gazed at the corridor leading to her chamber. He was half-way to the end, and stopped. What the devil did he think he was doing? He couldn’t very well enter her chamber, even if he knew which one it was. He ran hisfingers through his hair. There must be some way to discover how she was doing.
Luckily for him, Mary’s maid passed carrying a tray.
“Mathers?”
She turned and blinked. “Yes, sir?”
“I, er, I am concerned about Lady Mary.”
The dratted woman stood stock still, obviously waiting for him to explain himself.
“I was told she wasn’t feeling quite the thing.” His neckcloth tightened, and he had an urge to loosen it. “If you could tell me whether or not she is better, I’d appreciate it.”
The maid gave a sharp nod. “I shall inquire.”
