Leo stood next to Theo. He tried to hold her hand, but she pushed it away. Something was definitely wrong. But what? And who would tell him?
Lady Howe made the announcement that he and Theo would wed. And then they had to stand there acting as if they were happy while people congratulated them. Several of the ladies opined that they knew this was coming. He had been so devoted to her all Season.
When they were ready to leave, St. Albans came up to Leo. “I’ll give you a ride home.”
“I need to know what happened. Something did. Before she was tripped.” He wanted to follow Theo and ask her. But St. Albans was right. This was neither the time or the place.
St. Albans nodded. “I’ll try to discover what it is.”
Leo passed a fitful night trying to work out why Theo didn’t want to be around him. He went to Worthington House the next morning only to be told that Theo wasn’t riding that day. Leo was grateful when two days later a missive from Worthington came during breakfast demanding Leo’s immediate presence. He sent up a prayer that this would finally be resolved.
When he arrived, he was taken to the large drawing room. All her brothers and sisters were present, and not one of them was smiling. The ladies had their brows raised, and the gentlemen looked ready to run him through. He wasn’t even offered a seat. It was like being an accused in the dock. What the devil had occurred?
Leo wanted to rail at them, but at least a semblance of civility was needed. “Will someone tell me what is going on? Why won’t Theo see me?”
Stanwood speared Leo with a hard look. “You said that if you were allowed to court Theo you would not have a mistress.”
“Yes.” What the hell had happened? “I do not have a mistress.”
“Then why did Theo overhear two ladies talking about your new ladybird?” St. Albans asked.
Leo gave himself an inner shake. He couldn’t believe this was actually happening. “I have no idea why anyone would think I have engaged a courtesan.”
“Really?” Charlotte asked in a deceptively sweet voice.
“Yes, really.” He was starting to become angry himself.
“You mean to say that you did not have a contest to choose a mistress by having them perform acts upon your body?” Lady Montagu’s tone was just as saccharine, but barely concealed anger could be heard beneath the sweetness.
Leo didn’t mind being accused of what he’d done, but he’d be damned if he’d be blamed for something he did not do or even thought of. “One, I do not have a ladybird and have not had for a year. Two, even at my most depraved, I would not have had women demean themselves by trying to cap one another in public.” He felt like he was about to explode. Leo took a breath. “I have no idea who thoseladiesare. Nor do I have any idea where they came up with such a debauched description of how I would select a mistress. I have done nothing but to do my best to remain by Theo’s side.” He paced, wishing he had a brandy. “If I knew who theseladieswere, I’d wring their necks. Or, better yet, make them publicly admit they were lying.”
Suddenly, the tension in the room had broken, and everyone let out their breath.
“I told you so,” St. Albans said. “It was pure gossip. Probably based on his past behavior.”
“Although,” Alice mused, “it might be an excellent idea for unmarried ladies to test out prospective suitors to see if they do indeed want to marry them?”
Every gentleman in the room dropped his jaw. Only St. Albans spoke. “Sweetheart, is there something we need to discuss?”
“About us? Goodness no. However, after listening to so many ladies complain about their husbands, I have come to the conclusion that some sort of assurance should be given. As you know, proof of prowess can be done without taking a lady’s maidenhead.”
“Hmm.” Eleanor had a thoughtful look on her face. “That is an excellent idea.”
Then the rest of Theo’s sisters joined in the conversation, which quickly devolved.
St. Albans handed Leo a glass of brandy. “Sorry to have put you through that, but we had to know. Theo was devastated.”
“Wait.” No! It couldn’t be possible. “Do you mean to tell me that she was the one who heard the ladies?”
St. Albans nodded. “In the ladies’ room at a ball.”
Bloody, bloody hellhounds. “That’s the reason she’s keeping her distance from me. She wouldn’t even ride in the mornings. Or see me. I need to talk to her.”
Alice joined them. “She will not speak with you. I suggest you find a way to do it at the ball this evening. She cannot lock herself in her room there.”
That was an excellent idea. “And she won’t make a scene at the ball.”
“She will not,” Alice confirmed. “You will have to find a way to make her listen to you.”
