“They are so adorable,” Mary continued.
A feeling of dread trickled down Theo’s spine. She smiled brightly. “Are you ready to go with us to Town?”
Her sister stopped walking and faced her. “I have decided to wait until Charlie and Oriana depart.”
“But it is my come out.” Theo tried to keep the desperation she was feeling from her voice. She and Mary had been inseparable since they were eight and five respectively. Ten years ago.
“I know.” Her tone was so kind Theo’s heart sunk. “It isyourcome out. I cannot participate. We both knew this would happen someday.” Mary linked her arm with Theo’s. “You will have fun shopping for your wardrobe. I will be in Town before your first events. And the rest of the family will be there as well. We have heard from the twins and Madeline, as well as Charlotte, Louisa, and Dotty. We will all be there for you.” Mary smiled. “Surely you know I would not abandon you in your time of need.” She led Theo upstairs. “Chandos was here for a few days. He left yesterday.” Mary was the only one Theo had told about her reaction to him when he waltzed with her during the Christmas ball. “He asked about you.”
“I am sure it was only to be polite.” As much as she wished otherwise, the Duke of Chandos had a reputation for eschewing any interest in young ladies. He would also make a truly horrible husband.
Mary lifted one shoulder and dropped it. “He didn’t say anything to me, but he was with Charlie for hours.”
“Perhaps I should delay my come out until you are able to be out as well.” No one in the family would be happy about that, but Theo felt as if she was being left alone.
“No. You will not.” Mary firmly shook her head. “We have discussed this before.” She hugged Theo. “It is your time. Everything will work out the way it is supposed to.”
“I suppose you are correct.” She tried to summon another smile and failed. “Let us go see the babies.” As was so common with the Carpenter side of the family, Oriana had given birth to twins. A boy and a girl, Lady Olivia Elizabeth Prudence and Charles Robert Edward, called Robin, Viscount Carpenter. Both of them had the Carpenter blond hair, but while Olivia had the same sky-blue eyes as her father, aunts, uncles, and many of her cousins, Robin had his mother’s amber eyes. Theo could not help but think that if she wed this Season, she too would have a child by this time next year. A vision of Chandos crossed her mind. Tall, broad shouldered, wavy black hair and moss-green eyes. He probably made all the ladies in Town swoon when they saw him. Yet as handsome as he was, he was not for her. She would be shocked if her brother would even allow the match. She must find someone eligible who met the qualities she wanted in a husband, and a rover was not one of them.
“Matt,” Charlie greeted his brother-in-law and former guardian. Due to some ridiculous law that married ladies could not be guardians of children, after Grace married Matt she could no longer have guardianship of her brothers and sisters. That was when Matt took guardianship. Charlie had been sixteen at the time. “You and I must speak.”
Matt glanced at Grace, who was now headed to the stairs with Oriana. “Lead on. I suspect they will be occupied with your children for a while.”
Charlie strolled to his study and waved his brother-in-law to one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. Tea was served almost immediately. Once he’d poured, he fixed his gaze on Matt. “Chandos visited me recently. He wishes to wed Theo.”
Matt choked and reached for a serviette. “Did you have to tell me that after I’d just taken a drink? What the devil is he up to?”
“He says he’s in love with her.”
“Indeed?” Matt raised a skeptical brow. “I know he’s a good friend of yours, however, I do not think his is an eligible parti for Theo.”
“In the past I would have agreed with you.” Charlie would have even warned his old friend off his sister. “Yet, he has changed. He’s healthier. When he was here, he drank moderately. His conversation consisted of his estates and the improvements he was making. You’ve seen him over the winter. You must have noticed the changes?” He waited for Matt to take all that in. “And he has not had a mistress or any other woman since the main Season last year.”
“I can’t say that I have. He’s your friend after all. If what you say is true, that is a change.” Matt gave Charlie a hard look. “Did he do all of it for Theo? I have found that when changes are made for someone else, they rarely last.”
“I believe that’s part of it.” Charlie drained his cup. “Still, I got the strong impression that he did it more for himself. It was time for him to act like a responsible adult.” He selected one of the small sandwiches from a plate. “He plans to approach you when we arrive in Town.”
“Very well then. I will hear what he has to say.” Matt finished his tea and ate a sandwich. “Does Oriana know about Chandos’s intentions?”
“Yes. I told her after he departed. Strictly from her own observations, she believes he has matured.”
“Speaking of Town, when do you plan to arrive?”
“A day or two before Easter. The children will be almost six weeks old by then. Mary has expressed a desire to wait and come with us.” Charlie picked up a ginger biscuit. “Unless you have an objection?”
“Not at all. Theo won’t like it.” Matt’s lips formed a thin line. “But it will encourage her to engage with other ladies who are making their come outs.”
Charlie nodded. “Mary has been concerned about that as well.”
“She has always been an old soul.” Matt smiled. “I remember when she was five years old. She told me I’d made a mull of it with Grace and demanded to know what I was going to do about it.”
“I heard she’d been speaking with you.” Charlie chuckled. “I’m glad you were able to convince Grace to marry you. She planned to never wed.”
“That was the first time I had to work for something I wanted.” Matt blew out a breath. “I knew I’d never be happy unless I married her.” He grinned. “And then I learned that the rest of you came with her.”
“Thank God, it’s all worked out.” Charlie had been away at school, but his siblings had written to him expressing their support for the match. “Come. It’s time for you to see my twins. I’m a very proud papa.”
Matt stood. “I’m happy for you.”
