Marrow nodded. “And it succeeded perfectly.”
“The four of you are making me feel old.” Kenilworth sauntered away.
It had been successful. Lady Giselle was no longer a threat to Leo, and Ashford could no longer attempt to court Theo. The only problem Leo could see was that women like Lady Giselle did not take losing well. If she found out Theo had anything to do with foiling her plan, the damned chit would find a way to get back at her. Perhaps it was his turn to save Theo. He’d have to stay even closer to her.
Several of the guests had left. It was probably so that they could go to other entertainments and tell people what had occurred. The music began again. This time it was a country dance. Leo had been told that the supper set would be a waltz, but he did not know how many waltzes there would be, and he dearly wanted to dance with Theo more than once this evening. “Would you like to stand up with me for the country dance?”
Her eyes were wide with confusion. “Two sets?”
“As a celebration of sorts. We won.” Hopefully, as an excuse, that would do.
“Yes. I have never stood up with you for a country dance.”
Because given a choice, he’d rather waltz with her. He took her hand and placed it on his arm. “Now is the perfect time.”
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.”
