“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.
