He’d been concentrating so much on her, he’d forgotten to sample his own. He ate a spoonful. “Very good. Do you want to taste it?”
“Yes.” Smiling, she nodded. He held the spoon to her lips, and almost groaned as she took it into her mouth. “It is very good. Here, taste some of mine.”
This was going to kill him, but he’d die a happy man. She touched the spoon to his lips, and he opened his mouth and ate the ice. Although, he’d rather be tasting her lips. “Excellent.”
They were finishing their ices when Leo remembered to look at the time. Her family generally dined early. Flipping open his pocket watch, he saw it was shortly after six o’clock. “I must take you home for dinner.”
Theo’s eyes widened and the guilty look was back. “I completely forgot about the time.”
“It’s no matter. I’ll have you there in a trice.”
“Would you like to join us? There is always room for one more.”
Some of the best times of his life were when he dined with her family. “I would be honored.”
Giselle scowled as she turned away from watching the carriage from a window in Gunter’s. “I cannot believe she is riding with the Duke of Chandos! How would he even know her? There have not yet been any balls or other events where she could meet him. This has to be stopped.”
“It is strange.” Lana peered out the window where the carriage was stopped. “I wonder if he is a friend of the family. That would explain it.”
“It would.” Giselle tried to calm herself. The dukewouldbe hers. “If that is the case, once there are other things to do, he will see that he no longer needs to spend time with her.”
“The first assembly at Almack’s is next week,” Lana said. “I have heard that his mother received vouchers. He will most likely escort her.”
“Yes.” Giselle smiled at her friend. “Of course, you are correct. I will find a way to have him introduced to me. And he will ask me to stand up with him.”
“Exactly!” Lana clapped her hands together. “That should not be difficult.”
Not at all. “I will enlist my brother’s help. He will do it for me.”
“Oh, look! Miss Pettigrew is driving down the street with Lord Marrow.”
“Where?” Giselle tightened her lips as his curricle drew up next to Chandos’s carriage. “How did she meet him, and why did he offer to drive her in the Park?”
“I have no idea.” Lana shook her head. “They appear as if they are enjoying one another’s company.”
“Be that as it may, I do not like her.” Giselle rubbed her forehead. She would have a headache if she did not calm herself. “You should be with Lord Marrow.” He would be perfect for her friend. And take him away from Miss Pettigrew.
“He is handsome.” Lana appeared worried. “But how would I ever meet him?”
“The same why I am going to have the duke presented to me. My brother.”
“If you think he would do it.” She sounded unsure.
“I know he will.” Mama expressly wanted him in Town to do just that. And to help watch over Giselle. “He will arrive within the next day or two. Before Almack’s first assembly at any rate.”
“Very well then. If you think it will work.” Her friend’s smile faded when she glanced out the window again. “If he has not already formed an attachment to Miss Pettigrew.”
“I do not know how it would be possible. After all, there are not many opportunities for them to meet until next week. But if he has, I shall think of something.”
Just as Leo picked up the reins, Marrow drove up with Miss Pettigrew. “I see we were not the only ones with a good idea. Lady Theo and I can attest to both the Parmesan and lavender ices.”
“Indeed,” Theo chimed in. “They are both excellent. We would stay, but I have to go home. We dine early because of the children.”
Marrow glanced at Leo. “I must take Miss Pettigrew back soon as well. Where are you going afterward?”
“I’m dining with Lady Theo and her family.” He could not help but to grin.
Marrow glanced at Miss Pettigrew and smiled. “I am dining out as well this evening. But a bit later I believe.”
