“I am sure I would not want to try to stop you from anything you wanted to accomplish.” Leo didn’t want to move too quickly. But he did need to make sure she knew how he thought about her ideas.
She wrinkled her adorable nose. “I must admit, I am not very malleable once I have decided on a course of action.”
That was most definitely true. “No, but I have always found you to be reasonable.”
“Yes. I am that.” She fell into silence while she finished the offerings he’d brought to her. When she was finished, she glanced up. “That was all excellent.”
An accolade. He inclined his head. “Thank you. I am happy to be of service.”
Miss Pettigrew leaned over and whispered something to Theo. She looked across the table at Lady Kenilworth and mouthed something. When her ladyship rose, so did Miss Pettigrew and Theo. “Excuse us.”
He touched her arm before she could leave. “Please tell me if there is anything, a task I can perform for you or favor you need. I will be happy to assist.”
“Thank you, Chandos. That is very kind. I hope to see you soon.”
“You will. Do not forget we are riding tomorrow at five.”
Theo glanced around. “Will you please ask Grace for me? I really must go now.”
“With pleasure.” As he watched Theo follow her sister and friend out of the supper room, Leo wondered if he had made any progress at all with her. He understood and had been told by all her brothers-in-law that being her friend was the first step. Still, he wanted much more than that and wasn’t sure how to move from friend to lover. He’d never had this problem before. In fact, most of his romantic dealings weren’t even romantic. They were transactions for conjugal relations.
Kenilworth slid into the seat next to Leo’s. “The ladies are saying their farewells to Lady Bellamny. How is it going with Theo?”
“I’m not sure.” He shook his head. “I have no way to judge how she feels or even thinks about me.” He chuckled lightly. “She asked me to help her find a husband for Miss Pettigrew.”
Kenilworth seemed to ponder that for a second or two. “I believe that means she thinks of you as a friend. You’re much further ahead than most of us when we were courting her sisters. That was the part that took the most time.”
“I’m taking her for a carriage ride during the Grand Strut tomorrow.” Leo hoped to make more progress then.
“Don’t expect much to occur then. You’ll be too busy managing your horses and the traffic. You could take her for ices at the end of the ride.”
“That’s a wonderful idea.” She’d enjoyed the ice this evening. “Thank you.”
“I must go. I trust you are riding early.”
“Not early enough. I saw her leaving the Park this morning.”
Kenilworth stood and slapped Leo on the back. “She’ll be going even earlier every day.”
“I know.” Leo almost groaned. “If a lady wishes to gallop, she must be out before everyone else.”
“Think of it this way. You will no longer be greeting the dawn at the end of the night, but at the beginning of the day. You should know. Worthington has a strict rule that they leave straight after supper.”
Why hadn’t anyone else told him that? No wonder she could awaken with the sun. Leo rose. “I had better go. I must find my mother. She’s my excuse for being here.”
“Indeed. I will see you later.” Kenilworth held out his hand. “See if you can get Theo to invite you to break your fast with the family.”
“I will.” Leo shook the offered hand. “Thank you again.”
“My pleasure. We all want to see her settled well.”
Kenilworth strode off, and Leo searched for his mother. He found her speaking with another lady that appeared to be the same age. “Mama.”
“Chandos, there you are. I was told you joined the Worthington party for supper. The Duchess of Rothwell asked if I would like to join you, but I had already been invited to dine with Lady Bellamny.” Mama turned to the lady with whom she was speaking. “Lady Carlisle, allow me to present my son, Chandos. Her ladyship has a daughter out this year. Lady Patricia.”
Her ladyship curtseyed. “It is a pleasure to meet you, your grace.” Lady Carlisle glanced around. “Unfortunately, my daughter is not here at the moment. She met so many lovely ladies this evening she is probably with one of them.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you as well.” He held out his arm. “Madam, I would like to depart. I have an early morning.”
