Really, he should not have done that. “It must be. I am standing on the pavement.”
“Are you ready?” He placed her hand on his arm and led her to the carriage. “I shall help you in.”
Once again, the stairs had not been let down, and Theo did not feel like waiting. “Very well.”
He lifted her up and her feet found the floor of the carriage. Chandos did not let go until she was seated. “Thank you.” She hoped her voice did not sound as breathy to him as it did to her. The phaeton dipped as he climbed in. “Are you ready?”
Leaning back, he folded his arms over his chest. “When you are.”
The groom, holding the leader, glanced at her. When she nodded, he stepped away and she gave the pair their office. She started slowly then gained a bit of speed in order to feather the corner out of the square. As she knew they would, the grays had excellent action. “They are magnificent.”
“Whoever Lady Evesham is, she is an excellent judge of horseflesh.” From the corner of her eye, Theo caught Chandos glance at her. “I would like to make her acquaintance.”
“She will be at my come out ball.”
“Will I be invited?”
“I cannot see why you would not be.” She drove through the gate into the Park and took her place on Rotten Row. The first carriage they saw was Lady Bellamny’s. Theo pulled up beside her. “Good afternoon, my lady.”
“I see you finally got your phaeton.” Her ladyship pulled out a quizzing glass on a stick. “Very pretty driving. I saw you enter.” She leveled the glass at Chandos. “Are you brave or besotted, your grace?”
Theo was going to die of embarrassment. Why would her ladyship think he was besotted?
He inclined his head. “Lady Theo is an excellent driver, my lady.”
That was diplomatic. She gave Lady Bellamny a polite smile. “We will see you later.”
“Have a lovely ride.” She waved as a landau came up behind them.
“Do they handle as easily as they appear to?” Chandos grinned. “Or are you simply an excellent whip?”
As long as he was going to gammon her, she would respond in kind. “I am an excellent whip, of course.” His eyes filled with mirth, and she could understand how women would fall all over him. “Although, to be fair to the horses, they are very easy to handle.”
“Not now, but someday, I would like to try them.” She did not understand why Chandos sounded wistful.
“Someday you shall.” They continued around the Park, greeting and nodding at those they met. Theo was surprised at how many people she already knew.
Sarah waved. She and her mother sat in a landau while Lord Marrow, riding next to them, tipped his hat.
“I wonder how long we’ll have to wait before they make an announcement,” Chandos commented.
“I would suppose another few weeks.” Theo would be surprised if it occurred before then. “At least not until her come out ball.”
He furrowed his brow. “When is that? Do you know?”
“In three weeks, I believe.” She would have to ask Grace. “It is after mine. They did not make their final decision to come to Town until much later.”
“And yours is?” He raised one dark brow.
“In two weeks.” The invitations are to go out tomorrow.
“Grace’s secretary is to insure they are done.”
“Everyone seems to have secretaries,” he mused.
“Some ladies have companions that perform the same tasks.
Yet, I believe, they mostly are widows and poor relations.”
