“You told him to inform her ladyship. How, pray tell, with so many ‘ladyships’ in the house, does he know to which one you are referring?”
A burble of laughter threatened to escape. “Grace is the only one called her ladyship. Everyone else is referred to by their titles.”
“Ah. I see.” He glanced out the window. “The children have gone.”
“Yes. They will be here shortly.” Almost as if she had called them, the sound of feet clamoring down the stairs could be heard. She looked up at him and smiled. “As I said.”
“Is that noise coming from the main staircase? I distinctly remember carpet on them.”
“No. I suspect they decided the servants’ stairs would be more useful. They will have either been told or worked out themselves that we have guests. Descending the main staircase would mean having to stop and greet our visitors before coming in here.”
“I wish I’d known to do that when I was a child. It would have saved me a great deal of time.”
This time Theo did laugh. “They are nothing if not resourceful.”
Constance, Charlotte and Con’s oldest daughter, and Vivienne came into the room, followed by the others. Constance was the first to spot Chandos and curtsey. “Good afternoon, your grace. Do you remember our names, or shall we remind you?”
“Good afternoon, Lady Constance. I believe I have spent enough time around you to recall your names. Unless, that is, you have added anyone.”
“No.” She screwed up her face in thought. “Not yet. Probably next year.”
He glanced at Theo, a question in his eyes.
“The next set of them will be old enough. So far, the babies have been born in batches. One of my sisters announces her pregnancy and the others follow.”
Chandos ran a hand though his well-coifed hair. “It almost sounds as if they plan to have the babies together.”
She had often had the same idea. “I suppose I will find that out at some point.”
Grace entered the parlor next to Lady Pettigrew, followed by Miss Pettigrew and Lord Marrow. “I’m glad you see you are already here.” Grace smiled at the other adults. “Please find your seats. Children, sit at the table.”
Hugh was Charlotte and Con’s eldest child. Theo tilted her head toward Chandos. “If it is only Hugh and Constance, and possibly one or two others, they may sit with us. When everyone is here, they must use the table.”
“That is an excellent idea. Shall we find our places?”
Thorton entered followed by two footmen carrying trays filled with tea, biscuits, tartlets, and sandwiches. The children were given milky tea, which the girls practiced pouring.
Theo sat on one of the couches, and, to her surprise, Chandos sat next to her. Across the long, low table Grace and Lady Pettigrew were on the opposite sofa. Theo leaned forward to assist Grace in pouring tea and making up the plates. Once more he surprised her by assisting in handing out the cups of tea and plates. She had had no idea he was so well trained. For some reason, she imagined that he was used to being served at all times. If only he was not a rake, she might allow herself to get to know him better.
“My lord,” Lady Pettigrew said, “how are your parents?” Marrow’s eyes widened in confusion. Clearly, he had no idea that she might know them. She chuckled lightly. “Your mother and my elder sister were friends. They came out together. As I recall, although your parents’ match was arranged, they were very much in favor of it.”
“Indeed. My father has often said that if his parents had not agreed to allow him to marry Mama, he would have eloped with her.”
Lady Pettigrew grinned. “And she said that she would never have done anything so outré.”
Marrow appeared curious. “Is it strange that I have never met your sister?”
“No. She died in childbirth. Her husband lost no time in finding another wife.” Her lips twisted. “One must have an heir. Your mother and I correspond several times a year.”
“I am sorry for your loss. That cannot have been easy.”
Lady Pettigrew blinked rapidly. “It was not. I still miss her.”
Theo had the feeling that her ladyship would have said more, but this was not the time or place. “How long has it been since you have been to Town?”
“So long I cannot even remember. Once I had my son, I never visited the metropolis again until this year. Lord Pettigrew comes up for the Lords, but I was never interested in politics.”
“Are you interested in politics?” Marrow had turned to Sarah.
