Lady Pettigrew raised one brow. “You must ask my daughter first.”
“I already did. She said it was up to you.” He placed his hand over Miss Pettigrew’s, and she smiled at him.
“In that case, you may go.” Her ladyship inclined her head. “You may also escort us to our house.”
“With pleasure.” Marrow bowed, and the three of them turned toward Green Street.
Theo glanced up at Leo, her eyes happily sparkling. “That looks to be going well.”
“I agree. I will see you soon.”
“Until then.”
He watched her enter the house and the door close. If only he could tell if he was making progress. Well, he had at least another hour this afternoon. Less than an hour later, he presented himself at Worthington House.
The front door opened as he jumped down from his curricle and strode up the short walk to the steps.
“Good afternoon, your grace,” the butler said. He turned to the same young footman Leo had seen earlier. “Please advise Lady Theo that his grace has arrived.” The lad started up the stairs at a run. “Walk, if you please. One does not run in the house.”
“Yes, Mr. Thorton.” Back straight, the young servant continued at a much more stately pace.
Leo considered making a comment, but few butlers would welcome one of his quips. Just as he was wondering if he’d be taken to the parlor off the hall, Theo descended the stairs. Her peach-colored carriage gown and spencer signalized her creamy skin. The wide brim of the bonnet allowed curls to frame her face, drawing his attention to her rosy lips. Few women were lucky enough to have lips that color without using cosmetics.
He went forward and held out his hand as she reached the bottom step. “You are enchanting.”
For a moment he thought she would laugh at him. “Thank you, sir. But it is only a carriage gown.”
“That may be, but any gown can draw attention to a lady’s attributes.”
She gave him a stern look. “I am quite sure this is not a proper conversation for us to be having.”
He managed a contrite expression. “You are most likely correct. I will have to mend my conversational ways.”
Theo laughed as he escorted her to his carriage. “Or keep different company.”
“I am very satisfied with the company I am currently keeping. Thank you very much.”Minx. He handed her into the curricle. “Would you like to visit Gunter’s after we have our ride?”
A delighted smile appeared on her countenance. “I would like that very much. Thank you for suggesting it.”
He started his pair and drove out of Berkeley Square toward the Park. He’d just feathered the corner onto Hill Street when she said, “I would have thought you would have asked an older lady to go with you to on the Grand Strut.”
Leo was absolutely not going to tell her that the only females he allowed to drive with him previously were his ladybirds. “I don’t usually attend the Fashionable Hour.”
“Did Charlie ask you to do this? To watch over me?”
Fortunately, he had to attend to his pair as a dray decided to stop in the middle of the street, and he couldn’t answer her. Not that he had an answer. Not yet. “I thought you might like it. Do you not?”
“Oh, no. I am very pleased you asked me. I simply do not know why you would.”
The Park was already crowded when he drove through the gate. “This is going to take a while.”
“It always does.” Her melodic voice was as dry as it could be.
Leo had thought he’d be showing it to her for the first time.
“Why do I have the feeling you’ve done this before?”
“Grace used to take us. In order to get us used to how it goes.” She waved to two older ladies in a landau pulled up along the verge. “Lady Bellamny, Lady Cowper, how lovely to see you.”
