CHAPTER NINE
“What made you decide to invite Chandos to dinner?” Charlotte asked.
The reason Theo had asked him had not entered her mind. “I do not know. He is easy to converse with and took me for ices. I suppose I thought to return the favor.”
“By inviting him to a family dinner?” Louisa’s brows rose.
“It is not like he has not been to one before. He appears to get on well with the children.”
“Very true. He was around a great deal last summer before Charlie and Oriana married.” Charlotte glanced at Louisa. “As you know, I spent a lot of time there helping Charlie.”
“You make me wish I would have been there as well.” Louisa tilted her head to one side and gazed toward where Chandos was speaking with some of the other gentlemen. “He does seem very comfortable with everyone.” She glanced at Theo. “You know, he might be an excellent prospect.”
“No.” She had to nip this in the bud. “I had heard things that made me think he might be a rake, and it was confirmed when I was shopping for gloves before Lady Bellamny’s event. I heard some ladies discussing who he might take as a mistress this Season. That indicates two things to me. One, he is not looking to wed, and two, he is a rake.”
“I cannot argue with that.” Louisa shrugged.
Charlotte slid her a look Theo did not understand. “At least until some gentleman in whom you are interested comes along, Chandos is excellent company.”
That was true. “I agree. He can discuss everything.” And even understand her feelings. “He also has excellent taste in ices.”
“And he is accepted everywhere. Rake or not, he has never crossed the line with the major hostesses,” Louisa added.
“I do wish he would be more interested in the Lords.” To Theo’s mind it was a waste if a peer did not do his part to make the country better.
“I think you might have got that wish,” Charlotte said. “Con spoke with him earlier today, and he has agreed to attend the next meeting Con and the others hold.”
It was interesting. Charlotte’s husband was the only one they called by his nickname. “Excellent.” Despite his undesirability as a husband, his convictions were in the right place to help others.
Thorton called them to dinner, and Chandos was immediately at Theo’s side. “If I remember correctly, everyone escorts their wives in, leaving only you and me.”
“You are correct.” She grinned at him. “Although sometimes the boys will decide to escort me.”
“Yes, well.” He had a sly look on his face. “I made it worth their while to allow me to accompany you this evening.”
Silly man. “You did not.”
“As you wish.” He escorted Theo to her place midway down the table and pulled out the chair. Once she had taken her seat, he lowered himself into the chair on her left.
Hugh, Charlotte and Con’s son, sat on Chandos’s left. “When are you going to let us practice on your grays?”
Theo could not believe what she was hearing. Had he really promised her nephew that he could use his carriage horses for practice?
“You’ll have to arrange it with your father. I cannot take you away from your lessons.”
“I had forgotten about them,” Hugh said. She doubted he actually had forgot, he but probably wanted to. “We’ll work out a time and let you know.”
On Theo’s right, Constance, Charlotte and Con’s daughter said, “I heard Papa say that your phaeton will arrive by the end of the week.”
Chandos turned his head toward her. “Phaeton?”
“Yes.” Constance nodded. “A high-perched phaeton. Just like all my aunts have.”
He glanced at Theo, mirth brimming in his green eyes. “All of your sisters have them as well? How did that come about?”
“I am not exactly certain how it started, but my two eldest sisters received a phaeton that they had to share. If there is more than one sister making their come out, the last one to wed gets to keep it.”
“It’s an interesting view on how ladies think compared to gentlemen.” He grinned. “I can guarantee you that if I had a brother and we were in that situation, neither of us would choose marriage. Especially not at eighteen.”
