Felice, Patricia, Sarah, and Theo exchanged glances. It was as if they were all thinking the same thing. “In that case, we could board her that evening and depart on the next tide.”
Her friends nodded. “Depending on when it arrives,” Sarah said. “We could have most of our luggage sent to the ship early.”
“Efficient.” Leo gave her a fond look. “Shall we plan to do that?”
They all agreed and were preparing to leave when a curricle driven by Lord Bolingbroke and carrying Lady Lana drove up. Both of them seemed to be in excellent spirits.
“Do you think they will make a match?” Sarah whispered.
“I certainly hope so,” Chandos drawled. “It was my suggestion to him that he ask her to dance.”
Crewe barked a laugh. “Just think about how many more matches you could arrange if you remained here for the rest of the Season.”
Chandos shook his head. “I accomplished what I set out to do. That’s enough.”
“I for one am very glad you thought to introduce me to Sarah.” Marrow smiled at his affianced wife.
“And I’m grateful you thought of Patricia,” Holland said.
“I hadn’t actually thought that you two had something to do with me meeting Felice,” Crewe said. “But now that I consider it, I believe you did.”
“How are we to travel when we arrive?” Felice asked.
“We must make arrangements for coaches and hotels,” Chandos said. “I can recommend some good hotels.”
“Did not my brother Worthington make the coach plans?” Theo was certain that he did.
“Yes. Do you think he would mind helping us?”
“Not at all. We can ask him at dinner.” Speaking of that, she glanced at her brooch watch. “We must go. Is everyone attending Lady Carlson’s ball this evening?”
They all agreed to meet there.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Once again, Leo was more than happy to be joining Theo’s family. Worthington agreed to assist Theo with hiring coaches and horses. Grace said that she would call on her cousin about hotels across the Continent and contact her friend Lady Evesham about the possibility of using her house in Paris. By the time the light meal before the ball was consumed, everything, including the coaches—through an agent in London—had been resolved.
Leo placed the light silk cloak over Theo’s shoulders. “Every dance.”
“Yes.” She turned her head to smile up at him. “Every dance.”
“I wonder if those ladies will be there.” Leo would love to be able to discover who they were. He was still angry about their role in his almost losing Theo.
“I do not know. Perhaps.”
Just in case, he decided he’d follow her to the ladies’ room and wait in the corridor. “It’s time to go.”
As usual, her family was present, then their friends joined them. The talk centered around their pending marriages and honeymoon travel. He had to address his concerns about the time. “Theo and I have decided to remain with the rest of you for two months. I don’t feel as if I can leave my estates for much longer than that.”
“I understand,” Crewe said. “It took time for me to establish myself as the new master when my father died.”
“Will you stay at the main estate?” Patricia asked.
Theo glanced at Leo. “I think we will go there first. But I would like to see the other properties and see what needs to be accomplished.
He nodded his agreement. “Something I have not had the opportunity to do yet.”
“Lesser estates must be kept up,” Marrow agreed. “We will live at the estate where my parents resided when my grandfather was alive.”
