“Your grace, Lord Worthington would like to speak with you.”
Theo’s jaw dropped and she snapped it shut.
“I’ll be there immediately.” Leo went to the other side of the curricle and lifted her down. “Wish me luck.”
“I will hurry.” Her tone was brisk. “I refiled all the contracts. It will not take me long to find it.”
They parted in the hall. A footman escorted him to Worthington’s study. He held up a small piece of paper that looked as if it had been torn from a pocketbook. “I received this from Lady Bellamny.”
“I can explain.”
He sat behind his desk without even offering Leo a seat.
“Goon.”
“As you no doubt know, I attended events which no lady would grace with her presence. I met Thanet at one of them. We were never close. But it was not a secret that I had a mistress for the Season and would drive her in the Park. He obviously assumed Lady Theo was my latest. He asked for an introduction, and I denied him … I’m sure you heard the rest from Lady Bellamny.”
“Indeed.” Worthington dragged a hand down his face. “You have spent the last year proving what a good man you are. You’ll have to tell your former acquaintances that you are no longer running with their crowd.”
“I thought by not frequenting the hells and clubs they would get the hint.” And the fact that he didn’t have a mistress.
“My advice is to write to Fellows refusing his invitation. I assume you received one”—Worthington’s brow rose, and Leo nodded—“telling him the reason. He will inform the rest of them. You might also mention the encounter today and emphasize that as you will not be taking a ladybird any longer, not to approach you.”
This time it was Leo’s turn to be shocked. “You know Fellows?”
Worthington smiled. “I was not always married or in the market to wed. However, Thanet is particularly despicable.”
“I’ll do as you say.” Leo was just thankful that he was still allowed to spend time with Theo.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Theo found the contract she wanted, went to Matt’s study and knocked.
“Come.”
She opened the door. “I hope you have worked things out. It was an unfortunate encounter, but that is all.” She held up the document as she turned to Chandos. “Shall we go to the morning room so that you can review this?”
He had turned to look at her when she entered the room. He now glanced back at Matt. “I interviewed Whiting yesterday and, after discussing it with Lady Theo, decided to make an offer of employment to him. However, I have never hired anyone before.”
“Exactly.” She smiled at her brother. “I explained he would need an employment contract and offered to show him a sample.”
The two gentlemen exchanged a look she did not understand. Matt cleared his throat. “I will send a servant to join you.”
“Very well.” To Theo’s mind it was a waste of a servant’s time, but proprieties must be observed. She raised a brow at Chandos. “Are you ready?”
“Never more so.” He smiled at her. She had seen him do that hundreds if not thousands of times before, but, for some reason, it caught her attention.
She shook it off.
Thorton entered the room. “My lord?”
“A servant to sit in the morning room with Lady Theo and his grace.”
The butler bowed and left.
“Well then. Let us get to it.” She walked out of the parlor and Chandos followed.
When they entered the room, a tall, dark-haired footman who was standing next to the bellpull bowed. “My lady, your grace.”
