“You’re right. He knew what should happen, but also made me know it was my decision.” All he had to do was hire him. There was only one problem. “Do you have a contact I could use?”
“I do.”
He’d expected Theo to look as if she was going to roll her eyes or do something like that, but she didn’t. She just gazed at him as if she was proud of him. No one had done that in a very long time. “Can you give me a copy when I take you home?”
“I will work on one with you.” She gave him a sidelong look. “After ices.”
“Naturally.” He had to laugh. “After ices.” He glanced around and was not pleased to see Thanet riding toward them. “We are about to be imposed upon.”
She glanced in the direction Leo was looking. “By whom?”
“The Earl of Thanet. Worthington would murder me if I introduced him to you.”
Theo raised one imperious brow. “He is a friend of yours?”
At least she made it a question. “No. Merely an acquaintance.”
“How do you know him?” There was more than a hint of censor in her tone.
“How does a gentleman know any other gentleman? School, clubs, that sort of thing.” House parties Leo was no long attending. “Do me a favor, and if you have to look at him, give him your coldest and most imperious look.”
A lewd smile appeared on Thanet’s face. Good Lord. Of course, he thought Theo was Leo’s latest mistress. With whom else had he driven in the Park before? Leo steeled himself.
“Chandos,” the man hailed. “Care to introduce me to your friend?”
“No.” He thought for a very brief moment that Thanet would leave it at that, then he opened his mouth. “I would like to keep my head on my shoulders. However, if you want to risk yours then you may apply to her brother.”
“Her brother, eh?”
That was when Theo gave him a look of such disdain that Leo was extremely glad he was not on the receiving end.
Then Lady Bellamny, accompanied by Lady Cowper, drove up and stopped. “Lord Thanet, go away. Even you should know better than to accost young ladies. You are not welcome in polite company.”
He gave Leo an odd look, backed up his horse, and left.
“And you, your grace.” He knew he was in trouble when she used that tone. “How could you even think of—”
“My lady,” Theo said quickly. “He was not. In fact, he told me my brother would be upset if he introduced that man to me and told that person he would not provide an introduction.”
“Just as well.” Her ladyship’s tone bit, and her black eyes bored into him. Her message was clear. If he wanted to spend time with Theo, he would ensure something like this never happened again.
He gave a quick nod indicating that he understood. He would have to get the word out that he no longer had mistresses.
“Very well then,” Lady Bellamny said, sounding somewhat mollified. “Have a good ride.”
Theo smiled brightly. “Thank you, my lady. I am sure we will.”
“It is amazing the types of men some of the gentlemen seem to know for no good reason at all,” Lady Cowper opined as they drove away. “I am glad you stopped and let ‘that person’ know he was not wanted.”
“He really is bad.” Theo’s look of amazement made Leo feel even more guilty than he had been. “What did he do?”
“Among other things, almost ruined a young lady.” And refused to support a child he’d got on his mother’s maid. That he’d not tell Theo.
“We should probably tell Matt before he finds out some other way.”
“I’ll do it when we get to your house.” Leo had the feeling that Worthington would have a great deal to say on the matter and none of it would be good.
“It will be all right. After all, you cannot be held responsible for what other men do.” She patted his arm.
