Suddenly, Theo had a thought. “Did your mother receive an invitation?”
His brows shot up. “I have no idea. It didn’t even occur to me to ask. However, I shall do so when I see her today.”
Mick took his watch out and glanced at it. That was the signal to go home. “I must be going.”
“We will all go,” Sarah said and smiled shyly at Lord Marrow, who returned the gesture. That was a good sign.
As they rode toward the gate, Theo sidled her mare up to Chandos’s stallion. “Would you like to join us for breakfast?”
“I would, but I’ll smell like horse.”
“That is nothing to worry about. Thorton will send for your valet while you bathe.” Fortunately, Matt had had pipes run to the two bathing chambers they now had in the house.
“Thank you.” Chandos appeared uncertain. “If you are sure it’s no trouble.”
“None at all. It has been done before.” She almost said that most of her brothers-in-law had broken their fast with them, but he was not looking to marry, and she did not want him to think that she was interested. They had started a good friendship. There was no need to spoil it with misunderstandings.
A short while later, she showed him where the breakfast room was. Her sisters and their husbands, and her nieces and nephews were just taking their seats.
Hugh watched Chandos as if the boy was trying to work something out. He opened his mouth, but Con put a hand over Hugh’s lips and shook his head. It did not stop the looks he was casting the duke, but it did stop him from talking. Theo would have to explain to the children that Chandos was just a friend and nothing more. All of them were completely capable of asking if she was going to marry him. They had, after all, been through this scenario before.
“Chandos,” Matt said. “We’re having a meeting to discuss legislation later this morning. Would you like to join us?”
“Thank you. I would. It’s high time I became an active member of the Lords.”
“Excellent. We will meet at eleven. We generally have luncheon here as well.”
“That sounds good. I’ll tell my staff not to expect me.”
That was odd. Theo thought he would go to his club for luncheon.
“We plan to be here for luncheon as well,” Charlotte said. “There are some things I must see to this morning.”
Theo drank the last of her tea. “Charlotte, if you are visiting the charity in Richmond today, I would like to accompany you.”
“Yes, I will be happy to have you join us.” She patted her lips with the serviette. “I will be back to pick you up within the hour.”
Chandos stood. “I should be on my way as well.” Theo started to push her chair back. “Allow me.”
“Thank you.” She smiled. “I shall walk you out.”
When they reached the front door, the butler opened it. Chandos looked as if he would take her hands, then he bowed. “I suppose I’ll see you at luncheon.”
“Yes, I suppose you will. Did you like breaking your fast with us?” For some reason, she was sorry to see him go.
“Yes, indeed. I had a lovely time.”
“I will see you later.”
He strolled out the door and down the steps. Instead of his horse, his curricle had arrived. Well, that made sense. He would not want to ride after having bathed and changed. She turned and walked back into the house as the children were making their way up the stairs. “Wait. There is something I want to tell you.”
They all stopped and turned to face her.
“Chandos is just a friend. Nothing more. So, there is no reason to ask if we are going to marry. We are not.”
Constance gazed at Theo. “We will not say a word.” She poked her twin’s side. “Will we, Hugh?”
“No. Now that I know, I won’t mention it.”
