Her lips curved up. “Yes, at seven. Although, I have to admit that dinner at my house will not be nearly as entertaining as at Worthington House.” She glanced around and her smile faded.
“Lady Giselle and Lady Lana are in Gunter’s watching us. They just looked away.”
“They know that they were caught staring.” The only time he’d heard Theo’s voice be harder was after she’d thrown water on him.
Leo stopped himself from glancing at the shop. “Lady Giselle?” Both Theo and Miss Pettigrew nodded. “My mother told me to be careful around her.”
Theo glanced at Leo, her brows forming a line between her eyes. “She is just out. How could she have gained a reputation of any kind so soon?”
He shook his head, trying to remember the exact conversation. He’d been much too distracted by thinking of Theo at the time. “Something about her mother wanting her to make a brilliant match. Or was it her mother that had made an excellent match in some way?”
“That sounds ominous,” Marrow said. “In that case, I’d keep my distance from her friend as well. Birds of a feather and all that.”
“To be forewarned is to be forearmed.” Theo placed her hand on Leo’s arm, making him even more aware of her than he already was. “We must be going.”
“Yes, of course.” He started forward. “Enjoy your ices.”
A groom was waiting when they arrived at Worthington House, but he got to Theo before the servant did. “Allow me.”
She looked at him in confusion and held out her hand. Instead of taking it, he placed his hands around her waist and lowered her to the ground. She sucked in a breath that was music to Leo’s ears. She might be the least green of any young lady coming out this year, but she was still an innocent. Before she could speak, he held out his arm. “Shall we?”
Her answer was a silent nod.
They reached the open door and Thorton bowed. “I take it you are joining the family for dinner. Please follow Jeffers to a chamber where you can refresh yourself.” The butler looked at Theo. “My lady, your maid is waiting. Dinner will be announced in about twenty minutes. Please join the family in the blue drawing room.”
“Grace must have held dinner back,” Theo murmured. “I’ll wait for you on the landing.”
“Thank you.” Leo imbued his voice with feeling. “I have no idea where the blue drawing room is located.”
She grinned like he knew she would. “I will show you. But only this time.”
“Then I’m on my own. I see. No special treatment for dukes.”
Theo chuckled. “As if you did not know that already.”
Leo rushed through his toilet and tried to reach the landing before she arrived, but she made it there before him. “Lead the way, my lady.”
She took his arm as they descended the stairs then turned to the right as if they were going to the morning room. They had only taken a few steps when he heard voices from an open door. It appeared as if the children were already down. As they entered the parlor, it was clear that all their parents were there as well.
“Good evening.” Theo seemed to float into the room.
“I pushed dinner back a bit. Fortunately, Jacque is used to it this time of year.”
“We saw you going to Gunter’s,” Hugh said.
Theo accepted a glass of sherry from Worthington, and Leo was handed one as well.
“That would explain how you knew we were going to be a bit late coming home,” Leo answered the lad.
“Chandos.” Kenilworth clapped Leo on the back. “Welcome. I’ve wondered how you’ve been doing.”
He slid a glance at Theo. “I’m not quite sure yet.”
“Well, it can take time.” Kenilworth looked at his wife, who was conversing with Louisa Rothwell and Theo. “Some roads are harder than others.”
That was nothing Leo didn’t know. “I was glad to be invited. I just wish I knew if it meant anything.”
Kenilworth shrugged. “I wish I could tell you.”
