“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 thetonhad 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?”
Theo shrugged. The few times Lady Giselle and Lord Ashford were at the same ball, she and Leo had been prepared for something to happen. They had even taken to strolling separately just to encourage the couple to do something. “I have no idea. We must not let down our guard.” She had been working on a plan that would not involve an innocent victim and finally decided that Sarah was right. It must be Ashford. He could in no way be considered an innocent. “If I can reroute the note, I will send it to Lord Ashford. He is the right height and hair color to be mistaken for you.”
“That is not a compliment.” Chandos had a disgruntled look on his face.
“No, but it is helpful.” Theo would send his lordship to Lady Giselle and whatever she had planned would happen with Lord Ashford.
“And you know that I would not send you a note at a ball.” There was no reason Chandos should. Except for the time they circled the room with another person, he stayed with her family. “But as with Ashford, Lady Giselle has dark hair and could be mistaken for you.”
Perhaps they were overthinking this. “Do you really believe they could be that prepared?”
“Remember, it was in a novel. All they’d have to do is follow the plot.”
Sarah and Marrow joined them.
“I see they’re both here,” Marrow said.
“Yes.” Theo nodded.
“Who is your first dance with?” Sarah asked.
“Lord Bolingbroke. I forgave him for his remark after he became interested in Miss Cunningham.”
Sarah laughed lightly. “I am sure he will think that having to dance the minuet is still punishment.”
“But not as much as being made to dance it with a lady he does not know. My second set is free. We can stroll the room.” And hope to see something occur.
“I’ll take our duke for a walk as well.” Marrow flashed Chandos a smile.
“She has done it!” Sarah said excitedly. “She gave a note to the footman with heavy dark eyebrows.”
Chandos glanced at Marrow. “It is time for us to go look at the rest of the ballroom.”
“Do you want to remain here with Theo’s family or come with us?” he asked Sarah.
“That is a hard choice.” She looked around the room. “I shall stay here. I am safe enough, and if the footman has been told to come to our circle, I will be able to misdirect him. I just wish I was tall enough to see him coming. It was amazing that I saw the note being passed.”
The crowd parted as the orchestra began to prepare for the first set, and Theo could finally see something other than people milling around. “He is headed toward us but has paused.”
“He’d have to, wouldn’t he,” Marrow said. “He can’t very well give Chandos a note from you if you’re standing with him.”
“That’s the part about all of this I do not understand.” Theo shook her head. He was always with Theo. Except when she was dancing, or they were strolling separately. How did they think to fool him?
Sarah placed her hand on Theo’s arm. “It does not make sense.” It was as if her friend had read her mind. “Except that Lady Giselle believes that everyone will behave as she does. Without regard for others.”
Lord Bolingbroke came to Theo and bowed. “Good evening, my lady. I believe this is our dance.”
