“Excellent.” He wanted to pat himself on the back, but this was a small step. They reached Marrow and Miss Pettigrew. “Are you attending the Harrington ball?”
Her face lit up. “We are. Lady Worthington has been so kind in informing her friends that we are in Town.”
Marrow glanced at Leo. “I’ll have to see if I’ve received an invitation.” Marrow directed his attention to Miss Pettigrew. “If I have been invited, I would be honored to stand up with you.”
A blush rose to her face. “I accept.”
He glanced at Theo. “And you as well, my lady.”
Theo appeared pleased. Even though she must have known it would be offered. “You may have any set but the supper dance.”
“The first country set.” Marrow waited for her assent, then turned to Miss Pettigrew. “The supper dance sounds like an excellent one for us.”
“I agree.”
Leo was bound to request a set from the lady as well. “May I have your first country set?”
“You may, your grace.”
By the end of the rather inane conversation, they were all smiling. Gone were the days when he could simply tell a whore that he was her next partner. When he and Theo were betrothed, he’d be able to commandeer all her dances. Albeit with her permission.
The four of them headed for the gate.
Theo leaned over. “Are you joining us for breakfast this morning?”
“I wish I could. But Whiting is coming over at ten, and I must prepare for that.”
“Yes.” She gave him an encouraging look. “That is more important.”
Leo wouldn’t normally agree. But he did need a secretary. “When are you leaving for the viewing?”
“After tea. You and your mother can join us.”
“I must ask her. I will send a note.”
They left Miss Pettigrew and Marrow at her house, and Leo rode on to Berkeley Square with Theo. Instead of allowing her to dismount herself, he clasped his hands around her waist, and she slid down so close to his body that it was hard to let her go. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“Until then.” He thought she sounded slightly out of breath, but it could have been his imagination.
Bloody hellhounds. Was he grasping at straws? How could he know what she thought? He remounted his horse and glanced over to where she stood. Above her, movement in a window caught his attention. Had someone been watching them? If so, who? And did it matter? He didn’t have time to be distracted. What he needed to do was to discover if he had been invited to the Harrington ball and find out how to ensure that he’d receive cards for all the events to which Theo was invited. Would his mother know? Of course she would. Still, this was the first time she’d been in Town since his father died. For a moment, the pain of that death seized Leo’s heart, and he had trouble breathing. God, how he missed him. The one thing Leo did know was that Papa would approve of the changes Leo had made, and of his intended bride.
He arrived home and threw the reins to a groom. The door was opened when he reached the steps. “Is her grace still in her chambers?”
“Yes, your grace. She has asked to be informed when you arrive home.”
“Please tell her that I will bathe and join her for breakfast.”
Hoover bowed. “Yes, your grace.”
Taking the stairs two by two, Leo reached his apartments and was pleased to find a bath being drawn in the bathing chamber his father had added.
Matson assisted him with his coat and boots, and Leo stripped off his clothing. “How did you know I’d be home?”
“You have an early meeting.”
That made sense. “Excellent man.” Leo sank into the large bathtub. Scrubbed himself. And waited for his valet to pour water over him. “I’m joining my mother for breakfast.”
No sooner had he spoken the words when a bucket of water sluiced over him.
