She could understand that. “I cannot see two young gentlemen agreeing to share a carriage.”
His forehead creased as he seemed to think about what she’d said. “I believe you’re right. It would be a continuous squabble as to who had the rights to use the vehicle.”
“Ladies are more civilized,” Constance responded sagely. “And more mature.”
He looked at Theo again. “They must be. No one in their right mind would allow a gentleman to wed at eighteen.”
“I know.” Constance nodded. “They are supposed to become knowledgeable about crops first.” She frowned slightly. “But no one has told us the reason.”
Theo had never seen Chandos’s eyes that wide. She was hard-pressed not to burst out in whoops.
Around them, lips, tightly pressed together, were trembling as the other adults tried not to laugh.
“Right then.” Con rose. “You children need to get ready to go home and to bed.”
Hugh stuffed a piece of bread into his mouth and jumped up. The rest of them pushed their chairs back and filed out of the room. Once the door was closed and they had given the children enough time to reach the hall, everyone started to laugh.
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with sowing wild oats, would it?” Chandos glanced around the table.
“Exactly that.” Con rubbed his forehead. “My mother in her infinite wisdom told my daughter that I needed to sow my wild oats before marrying.”
“And she thought it meant actual farming.” Chandos chuckled. “It’s a very reasonable explanation to a child or children who are in the country for much of the year.”
“Yes, well,” Charlotte said. “Now they all think that is what it means.”
“I’m trying to remember when I first heard the term.” Leo thought it must have been when he developed an interest in females.
“The boys will discover the meaning long before the girls do,” Rothwell said.
His duchess gave him a dubious look. “Somehow, I doubt they will be able to keep it to themselves. And I do not believe that they should. Girls deserve to have and should have more knowledge than society believes.”
“Exactly,” Charlotte chimed in. “It is unfair and actually harmful to keep it from them.”
“To be forewarned is to be forearmed.” Theo gave a firm nod. “I heard of a girl who had no knowledge at all who was harmed by a man. All she knew was that he had hurt her. It was not until her mother called a doctor that they knew she had been raped.”
Leo had never thought of that. Although, he did know men, he refused to call them gentlemen, whom he would not put past that kind of behavior. “I’m glad that you are aware of what can happen.”
Grace stood. “Let us resume our conversation in the drawing room.”
Leo rose as did the rest of the gentlemen. He was not surprised when they joined their wives to stroll out of the room.
Theo placed her hand on his arm, and he wanted to keep it there. Forever. He needed to make plans to be with her again. They soon gained the parlor, and glasses of wine for the ladies and brandy or port for the gentlemen were passed around.
Theo accepted a glass of claret. “Has anyone heard from Charlie?”
“I had a letter from Oriana,” Charlotte said. “They plan to travel down next week with Dotty and Merton.
It seemed as if Theo had let out a breath of relief. Leo hoped she’d feel better once her younger sister was here. “Excellent. It will be good to see them and the little ones again.”
“It will be.” Theo smiled slightly. I cannot believe it has been almost a year since the wedding.”
“I remember when he won that card game from Oriana’s cousin Ognon.” Stanwood’s skill with cards never ceased to surprise Leo. Yet, Theo’s talent outshone even her brother’s. “Do you ever have card parties while in Town?”
Rothwell groaned and Kenilworth had an evil grin on his face.
Lady Worthington shook her head. “Only if it is just family.
Usually, the Season is so busy we do not have the time.”
