Leo joined Marrow and rode to his house on Park Street. “You seemed interested in Miss Pettigrew.”
Marrow was quiet for several moments. “I am. Do you know, Chandos, I never believed in love at first sight, and I still might not, but she attracts me as no other lady has. I feel at home with her. She is not silly or interested in my rank. It was an oddly comforting feeling being treated like a man and not a title.”
“In that case, you had better get your financials together. You can afford a wife, can’t you?”
“I can.” He laughed. “Even without the allowance I receive from my father, I can afford to marry.”
“What about the estate? Is it in good condition?”
“It is.” Marrow stared at him. “You sound like you are her brother or father.”
“No, no.” Leo waved his hand. “I am considering marriage myself and getting ready for any questions of me.” He urged his stallion into a trot. “Come along. I’m famished.”
He should arrive at Worthington House early this afternoon to speak with Theo.
CHAPTER SIX
Theo rushed through her toilette and arrived in the breakfast room just as her married sisters were arriving. Although, describing them as married was unnecessary. At the moment, Mary, the only unmarried one aside from Theo, was still at Stanwood Place.
Interestingly, her brothers-by-marriage had already assembled. “You are here early.”
They all glanced at her, then Matt said, “They brought the children.”
“I saw Chandos riding away from this direction as we were on our way,” Kenilworth said. “Did he accompany you on your ride?”
She slid into her seat at the table. “Yes. He and a Lord Marrow.”
Rothwell frowned. “Did you not ask him to break his fast with us?”
Why were they all so interested? “I considered it, but he wanted to speak with his lordship.” She placed the serviette on her lap and poured a cup of tea. “I might as well tell you what happened.”
“Yes. Please do.” Eleanor placed her elbow on the table and her chin in her palm.
“As you probably know, Sarah Pettigrew is riding with me in the morning. Today Chandos brought Lord Marrow. During our ride, it appeared that he had formed an interest in her. I asked his grace to look into his lordship’s finances and other things. Just to ensure that he was a suitable parti for Sarah. He said he would and asked Marrow to join him for breakfast. They will all be here for tea this afternoon. Including Lady Pettigrew.”
Theo spooned shirred eggs onto her plate from the dish a footman held, then added ham. A small rack of toast was already on the table next to her.
“You could have asked one of us,” Montagu said.
Theo swallowed a bite of the eggs she had taken. “You are all busy with the Lords. Chandos needs to make himself useful.”
Kenilworth barked a laugh, as Rothwell rubbed his forehead. Their resident duke gave her a look. “Only someone from this family would say that. Did you not think that perhaps Chandos has duties such as the Lords?”
She put down the fork as she considered her brother-in-law’s statement, then glanced around the table. “Has he ever attended the Lords?” Her question was met by shrugs and shaking heads. “There, you see. Being useful will be good for him.” She looked at Grace seated at the foot of the table. “Grace, would you like to inform Jacque that guests will be attending tea?”
“Yes. Please tell Thorton. He likes to know about changes.”
“I will.” The rest of her sisters were all busy finishing their breakfasts. “What is everyone planning for the day?”
“We gentlemen are having a meeting shortly,” Matt said.
“As are we ladies,” Louisa commented. “Would you like to join us? We will be discussing our various charities.”
That sounded interesting. “I would. It is time for me to decide what I want to do.”
Charlotte’s gaze focused on Theo. “Dotty, Louisa, and I could use another head and pair of hands. If you are interested, that is.”
Dotty, the Marchioness of Merton, was Charlotte’s childhood friend who married a cousin of Theo’s, the Marquis of Merton. They had become part of the extended family. They had two children. The oldest was a daughter, Vivienne and a new baby, Samuel.
