“Good morning, your grace.” Thorton bowed. “Allow me and the staff to congratulate you on your pending marriage.”
Chandos glanced at her over the butler’s shoulder. “Thank you, Thorton. May I take my betrothed for a ride?”
“You may, sir.” The butler stepped aside, and Theo stepped into Chandos’s arms.
“I love you.” She gazed into his warm green eyes.
“I love you too.” He held out his arm. “Shall we go, my love?”
My love. Theo had waited so long to hear those words. “Indeed, we shall.”
He lifted her onto her mare, and stroked her leg before letting go. “We have something to discuss on our way to the Park.”
Chandos sounded serious. Could it be about the marriage settlements? Matt would not budge on them. They rode out of the square. “What is it?”
“We have no place to be private except for a house that I own.”
That was a strange way of putting it. “Not Chandos House.”
“Not with my mother there. She had her heart set on me marrying a lady who is malleable and would bore me within a week. The chance that she would give us any time alone is nonexistent. She’s already asked when you will visit to inspect the house. She plans to take you around herself.”
“Oh, dear.” Theo had not wanted a difficult relationship with her mother-in-law. Yet, she would not be the first one. Louisa had had a problem with hers. What was it about the mothers of dukes? Only Alice was lucky in St. Albans’s mother, then again his father was still alive. “Very well. What do you suggest?”
“As I said, I have a house.” He seemed hesitant. “It is where my mistresses lived. One at a time. I never had more than one at a time.”
If Chandos was not so solemn, Theo would have laughed. “Yes, I understand.” This might be interesting. “May I see it?”
“Yes, but there are plans to be made before you go. You’ll need to wear a bonnet that covers your hair and a veil.”
How strange. “I do not understand.”
“The area is generally known as the part of Town where courtesans live.”
“Ahh.” That was something Theo had not known. “So, if I am seen there, it will, naturally, be assumed that I am your mistress.”
“Exactly.” His mouth was set in a stern line.
The idea of going to a house and an area that housed mistresses appealed to her sense of adventure and curiosity. “Very well. Make the plans.”
His lips curved slowly up. “If you’re sure you want to be with me before we have the ceremony.”
“I am. As long as you promise not to die.” None of her sisters or her brother Stanwood had waited.
His eyes twinkled. “I will do my utmost to include purchasing a special license so that the service may be performed on my death bed if necessary.”
“Let us hope it does not come to that.” Although Theo could imagine her family rushing her to him. “What will you do with the house after we are wed?”
Chandos shrugged. “Probably sell it. I’ve already had some offers.”
It spoke well of him that gentlemen knew he would not keep a mistress after he was married.
Marrow and Sarah joined them as they reached the Park.
“I am so glad everything turned out well,” she said, then glanced at Marrow and turned a deep red.
“She told me what you heard.” His lips were pressed together as if he was trying not to laugh. “Don’t you think it odd that the same two ladies entered the ladies’ room after you entered and discussed Chandos?”
Theo had not even considered it. She had been too upset. “It could be. On the other hand, many of us are invited to the same balls, and it might be coincidence.”
