“You were hurt.” He gently rubbed her back. “Come let us go.” He held his arm out to Sarah as well.
“Do you know who they are?” Sarah asked.
“I haven’t a clue.” He shrugged. “Although, I suppose I could find out fairly quickly if I wanted to, but why?”
“Why indeed.” Theo sounded weary. “We still have your mother to deal with.”
He was relieved to know what his mother’s real problem was, but he had to support Theo. “I’m going to tell her to remove to her old chambers. That way we can start refreshing the chambers she’s using, for you.”
“Thank you.” She gazed up at him. “Do you trust her not to attempt to interfere?”
“No. While we’re gone, I’ll leave Whiting in charge. He can tell the Rollinses that if Mama attempts to change anything they are to inform him immediately.”
“That would be for the best.”
Leo abandoned his plans to get Theo alone and make love to her. “Let’s rejoin the others.”
“Yes.” She smiled. “There are at least one or two more waltzes left.”
“And supper.” He grinned. “I hope they have ices.”
“I do as well.” She stepped a little closer to him.
They returned to their friends and relayed what had occurred.
“Does it seem to you that mothers appear to cause the most problems regarding marriages? Or rather who their son or daughter weds?” Felice asked.
“It could be because they become powerless.” Patricia’s brow creased. “My paternal grandmother once told me that although she pushed my father to wed, she wanted to select his wife. She knew it would be the new marchioness who would take over her duties, and that she would have to find a new life.”
Leo nodded. “That is the case with my mother.” Mama had handled things badly. “However, if she had been honest with me my feelings toward her would be much different. I no longer feel as if I can trust her.”
“I do not know what I can do to make the transition easier for her.” Theo closed her eyes for a second.
“I don’t see a way either.” His mother had managed to alienate both of them.
“It would have been different if she had embraced Theo and your marriage,” Felice said. “That is how Crewe’s mother has treated me. She even agreed with us wanting to marry sooner.” She pulled a face. “Unlike my mother.”
“Well, it’s spilt milk now,” Crewe said. “Perhaps after you have a child it will be easier.”
Leo glanced at his betrothed and rather doubted that would be the case. Still, they could hope. “At this point, I am just looking forward to being married.”
Everyone agreed on that point.
In the coach on the way to Worthington House, he and Theo told Grace and Worthington what they had discovered. “I think we should both speak with her.”
“I would rather that Theo did not engage with her,” Grace said. “The wedding is only days away, and after that, she will not see her again for several months. Depending on what happens then, you could, if you like, visit her before going to your estate.”
Theo nodded. “I agree. I am so tired of the contretemps. I do not want to think of it for a while.”
She was right. Leo was the one with the problem parent. Not his betrothed. He was glad he hadn’t told her about his mother attempting to introduce him to another lady. “Very well. Maybe it is best if I don’t mention it either. Her friends probably will.”
“Most likely,” Worthington said. “My stepmother wasn’t at all sure about my decision to wed Grace. She thought my sisters would become lost in the Carpenter family children.”
“But it did not happen that way.” Theo’s lips rose. “We all decided to become brothers and sisters and be one family.”
Leo had heard that. It was one of the things that made them all so special. “And now you’ll add one more person.”
“We are.” She leaned against his shoulder. “You will be a perfect addition.”
