The footman stepped aside. “Please come in, your grace. I will inquire if she is receiving.”
The servant handed the card to a younger footman and the lad dashed up the stairs. A few minutes later, he ran back down them. “Her ladyship said she’ll be here in a few minutes.” The lad glanced at the older footman. “We’re to take him to the morning room.”
The servant bowed. “If you will follow me.”
Leo was led to a large room at the back of the house overlooking a garden, decorated much more for comfort than for style. It exuded a feeling of warmth. What seemed like dozens of children were running around outside with two Great Danes. Theo’s nieces and nephews. He recognized some of them from this past year.
“Good afternoon, Chandos.” Theo had entered the room without him hearing her. “The nice thing about having a double house is that the garden is sufficiently large to allow vigorous play. It is important for both boys and girls to exercise.”
Interesting. He definitely did not remember his sisters being allowed to tear around either the house or the garden. “I never thought of it. Are they all related to you?”
“No.” Her lush lips tilted up at the ends. “Some of them are the children we take in in order to train. They all have academic lessons in the morning and after luncheon. Then, as you see, playtime. After tea, there is practice of some sort for everyone.”
Interesting. “Will they all join us for tea?”
“Only my nieces and nephews. The others will have tea in the servants’ dining room.”
Not completely egalitarian then. “I have spoken to Marrow about his finances. He assures me they are in excellent condition. I’m afraid I was not very delicate about the matter. He asked me if I was asking because of Miss Pettigrew.” Leo gave Theo his best innocent look. “I told him that you were very protective of your friends.”
She cast her gaze at the ceiling and laughed. “That has the benefit of being the truth.”
“I think it helped. He told me that he was quite interested in her and was looking forward to meeting her mother.” He wanted to take Theo’s hands. “He wants to assure himself that his father will have no objection. I did my best to reassure him. After all, Lady Pettigrew is goodton.”
“She is indeed.” Theo smiled. “We have all got to know them much better over the past year.” She glanced out the window. “I hope finding a suitable husband for her is this easy.”
Leo wanted to keep the conversation going. “What is her dowry? I told Marrow it was adequate, but I have no idea.”
“That’s a valid question. I shall endeavor to discover the information. I do know that Matt will act in her father’s stead if there is an offer of marriage.”
“I suppose he will be the one to give permission for the marriage as well.” Even Leo’s limited knowledge of Lord Pettigrew led him to believe the man would never trust a female, even his wife, to handle that type of responsibility.
“Well, that’s certainly what her father expects. My brother, however, will defer to her ladyship.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” The respect for the ladies in the family was one of the reasons he had been drawn to first Stanwood and then the whole family. And especially Theo.
She tilted her head and gave him a curious look. “I am not sure I would have thought you were so progressive.”
“I wasn’t raised that way. But I’ve learned a lot from Stanwood and the other gentlemen in your family.”
“Have you taken your seat in the Lords yet?”
Leo knew that question was bound to be posed. “Taken my seat, yes. Been active, no.”
“Matt and the others have formed a group to discuss legislation and gather other peers to vote their way. You should ask him about it.”
“That sounds like a good idea. I will.” It would also make Theo think better of him. He couldn’t regret that she had caught him under the hatches. If she hadn’t, he never would have known that she was the one for him. Hehadcome to regret that she thought poorly of him because of it.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Their youngest footman in training burst into the morning room. “My lady, your other guests are here.”
Theo forced herself not to laugh at Chandos’s expression of surprise. “Please tell her ladyship and show the guests in.”
“Yes, my lady.” The lad went off again.
“Does he do that often?” he drawled.
“He’s better than he was. At least now, he has conquered titles.”
