“Thank you for your insight.”
Whiting rose. “Shall you need some time to consider my suggestions?”
“Yes. I will get back to you no later than tomorrow.”
He bowed. “Your grace. I hope we can work out a mutually acceptable arrangement.”
“As do I.” Leo came out from around his desk and shook Whiting’s hand. Leo escorted the secretary to the front door. “I will be in touch.”
“Your grace,” Hoover said. “You are riding with Lady Theo at five. You must leave now if you do not wish to be late. The carriage is being brought around.”
A humorous look entered Whiting’s eyes. “I take it your staff has been with you for a long time.”
“A very long time.” They strolled outside and Leo saw the curricle being brought around. “To be honest, the position of secretary is the first one I will hire.”
“I understand. My father tells stories of when he first took the title.”
Leo had heard the tales as well. “It can be a bit of a trial with servants and employees who have known you all your life.”
“Indeed, it can be.” Whiting walked to the street and turned.
Leo definitely needed to speak with Theo about him. He also had a feeling she would like being asked for her opinion.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Constance burst into Theo’s parlor with a wide smile on her face. “Charlie, Oriana, Mary, Gideon, Elizabeth, the little ones, and Dotty are arriving tomorrow! Is that not wonderful?”
“It is indeed!” Payne helped Theo into her spencer, then placed her bonnet on her head and inserted the hat pin. “Are you excited to see all the babies?”
Theo would be glad to see her niece Elizabeth and nephew Gideon again, but especially Mary. “I am.” Constance bounced on the balls of her feet. They will grow up with Timothy.”
Timothy was Charlotte and Con’s son born last December. “They will. I must say, it’s almost as if the babies are planned to have cousins.”
Constance shook her head. “They cannot be. Charlie did not even know he was going to have a baby when Mama knew.”
“Very true. Maybe she started it. Because then Dotty found out she was going to have a baby.”
“And Charlie and Oriana were next!” Constance bounced again.
Theo glanced at the clock. “As much as I would like to stay here and talk about all of it, I have an engagement in just a few minutes. Chandos is taking me for a ride in his carriage.”
Her niece suddenly became serious. “Yes. I know. Aunt Grace said I could not keep you.” Then Constance smiled again. “You should invite him for a ride when your phaeton gets here. Papa said that would be on Wednesday.”
She was certainly well-informed. Then again, Constance was the same age as Theo had been when she had started paying a lot of attention to what everyone in the family was doing. And when Grace and Matt met and married. “That is a very good idea.”
“I thought so. That is why I suggested it. I like him. He’s always nice to us.” Constance dashed out as quickly as she had arrived.
“Well, that was interesting.”
Payne chuckled. “She has a great deal of energy.”
Theo laughed lightly. “That she does. I had better go down. If I am going to insist that gentlemen who come for me are on time, I must be as well.”
The new doorbell chimed. “He is here.” She strode out of her parlor and down the stairs. Theo had reached the first landing when she saw Chandos standing at the foot of the stairs gazing up.
“Good day.” He smiled at her, and something fluttered in her stomach. That was strange. She descended the rest of the way. He held out his hand. “I live in hope that the Park will not be too crowded.”
“I am afraid you will be disappointed.” She placed her gloved hand in his.
