They waited as the girls dashed across the hall, then followed.Carriageshad been the correct description. There were three. One for baggage, one for babies, and a third for the adults and one almost adult.
“Mary!” He sensed Theo struggling to walk and not run to the coach. Fortunately, the path was short. She wrapped her arms around her sister. “I am so glad you are here!”
A footman handed down another girl about Mary’s age. She hugged Theo back and turned. “You know Martha Stern.” Mary pulled the girl forward. “She is staying with Dotty for the Season. We will be sharing classes and such.”
At first glance, Leo could see Martha definitely had the look of Lady Stern, girl’s mother as well as her sisters, Dotty, the Marchioness of Merton and Henrietta, Viscountess Fotherby.
Theo hugged Martha as well, yet he could feel the tension or maybe disappointment in Theo. She had wanted Mary to be here for her. “I am very glad to see you! Welcome to London.”
“The last time I was here was when Dotty and Dom married.” The girl smiled. “This is going to be so much fun. Dotty told Mama that as Mary and I would come out together, we should spend more time together.”
Theo nodded tightly. “That is an excellent idea. She is right.”
Lady Worthington and Worthington joined them. Leo took Theo’s arm, drawing her away. “You know that this is what Mary needs. She cannot wait around until you have the time to spend with her.”
“I know.” Theo rapidly blinked her eyes. “Thank you. I was being selfish.”
“Not selfish.” He lightly brushed away a tear that had fallen on her cheek. “You simply didn’t want anything to change. That’s normal. Most of us like to keep things the way they are.”
“Yes.” She nodded and gave a watery smile.
Leo handed her his handkerchief. “Dry your tears before she sees them.”
She dabbed her eyes and blew her nose, then started to hand it back to him. “I will have this laundered first.”
“Thank you.” He chuckled and was surprised to find her joining him.
“I feel much better. I do not know how you did it, but you seemed to know just what I needed.”
“I know how close you are with your sister, and how much you’ve missed her. You had no knowledge that she would bring a friend. It had to have been an unwelcome shock.”
“It was.” Theo slowly shook her head. “It is good for her to have someone with whom to spend time.”
“Someone her own age, who is engaged in the same activities as she is.”
“Yes. I think Mary was concerned that she would be left alone.” Theo gazed over his shoulder. “No. I know she was. She has been spending more time with Charlie and Oriana. And, I suppose, Martha. The Carpenters and Sterns have been neighbors for years.”
He took Theo’s cold hands and felt a jolt. “Perhaps they need each other.”
“You are right. She nodded sharply. “It is time we make our own way like our other sisters have.”
“While remaining close. I’ve noticed that about your family.”
“It is something on which we have prided ourselves. Our family just grows. No one goes away.”
It was a family he hoped to enlarge by his presence. “Are you ready to face everyone again?”
“I am.” She gave him a real smile this time. “I imagine Grace will order tea and dinner will be put back. Would you like to dine with us?”
His cook was going to be upset, but he couldn’t miss the opportunity to stay with Theo. “I would be delighted.”
When they turned to follow the others into the house, Worthington caught Leo’s eye and gave a slight nod. He had to think that was a good sign. Then Mary glanced at him and her lips rose at the ends. Was she happy with him too? Did she know he wanted to marry her sister? What was he thinking? Of course she knew. And, apparently, she was on his side. If only Theo was.
Dinner was so entertaining that Leo decided his children would be allowed to dine at the table when they were of an age. He returned home to find a missive from his mother requesting he attend her. But first, he wrote a quick note asking Whiting to meet with him in the morning.
Leo climbed the stairs to his mother’s apartments, knocked and entered.
Her companion greeted him. “She is waiting.”
