“I remember.” Theo knew they were to keep her safe. Too many things could happen to a young lady who wondered around alone.
There was only a short line of carriages when they arrived. Elizabeth, the Countess of Harrington was friends with her older sisters. They had come out together.
“Theo!” her ladyship exclaimed. “You are just beautiful. I knew you would be. Congratulations on your first Season.” Elizabeth took Theo’s hands. “Louisa, Charlotte, and Dotty arrived a few minutes ago.” She peered down the short set of stairs to the ballroom. “They and their husbands are speaking with the Duke of Chandos. I understand he has become a friend of the family.”
“He has. I am very glad to see you.” Theo curtseyed, then joined Grace and Matt. Footmen circled the room with glasses of champagne, lemonade, and wine. No food would be served until supper.
When they joined their family, Chandos took her arm. “You are a vision, my lady.”
He was probably saying that to be kind, but, nevertheless, heat rose in her cheeks. “Thank you, your grace. You are very handsome.” He was dressed in a black evening suit with white striped stockings and black pumps. His cravat was white and tied into a Mathematical secured with an emerald pin. The only fobs were his quizzer and a pocket watch. He would probably be the most elegant gentleman here this evening. “Thank you for requesting a set. Other than you and Lord Marrow, I do not know if I will dance again.” She glanced around. “Is your mother here?”
“No. She decided to spend the evening at another ball given by a friend.”
A gentleman came up to them. “Chandos, will you introduce me?”
“I will not.” He raised his quizzing glass and pointed it at Matt. “You must apply to the lady’s brother. Lord Worthington.”
“Thank you.” The man bowed and strolled away.
“Coward.” Chandos tucked his quizzer away.
It did not matter. Three gentlemen were standing in front of her brother.
“Worthington was right,” Chandos said. “If they cannot request an introduction through him, they have no reason to dance with you at all.”
Con brought one of the gentlemen to her. “Lady Theo, may I present Lord Hereford?” Mentally, Theo placed him as an earl. She curtseyed. “My lord, Lady Theo Vivers.”
She held out her hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lord.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” He kissed the air above her hand. “May I have the honor of the first country set?”
“That set is taken. You may have the first dance.”
“Thank you. I will look forward to it.” He walked away toward a footman carrying drinks.
Chandos laughed lightly. “You do know that the first set is usually a minuet?”
Theo really had not thought about it. “I suppose someone told me at some point.”
“Poor chap.” He sounded genuinely sad for his lordship.
“Is that why you asked for the supper dance?”
“No. I wanted the supper dance because it’s a waltz and then I can have supper with you.”
“Oh.” She did not know what to say to that. It never occurred to her that Chandos would want to spend that much time with her at a ball.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Leo clenched his jaw as he watched Theo step onto the dance floor with another man. She glowed as the crystals sewn onto her deep cream-colored gown sparkled beneath the chandeliers. The gown’s modest neckline barely hinted at the swells of her breasts. The bodice that clung to her form teased him with what lay beneath. This was going to kill him.
“Chandos.” He was surprised to see Rochford at the ball. Leo’s longtime friend came up to him. “You look like you’re thinking of murdering someone.”
“Hereford, at the moment.” Then it would be her next dance partner.
“The Earl of Hereford? What did he do?”
Leo focused on Theo again. She had just taken her place in the line.
