Another town coach drove by them. “Let us go on. I want to have a good gallop before I have to be home for breakfast.”
Later that evening.
“Icannot believe it.” Giselle stared at her glass of champagne. Events were not going as she had planned. “I thought the duke would be at Lady Penchly’s ball, and he did not attend. Nor did he appear at any of the other balls we went to.” She glared at her brother, who was her escort for the evening.
He shrugged. “Don’t blame me. I don’t keep his schedule. From the looks of it, he didn’t go out at all.”
“I must find a way to discover at which entertainments he will be.” Perhaps she could bribe a servant at his house. But how would she go about doing it? Perhaps her maid if she paid her a few coins, or one of the footmen. That might be a better idea. “Have you been able to speak with him?”
“If I had, wouldn’t I have told you? He hasn’t been anywhere recently.”
“You must find a way. He must be presented to me.” Giselle could not very well marry a gentleman she had not met.
Her brother rubbed a hand down his face. “Perhaps he’ll be at Almack’s. Mama knows some of the Patronesses. She might be able to ask one of them to do it.”
“Oh, for the waltz!” Giselle clapped her hands together. “What a brilliant idea. He could be presented to me as a partner for the waltz.”
“That’s it. Leave it to our mother.”
“I shall. She would be thrilled to have me marry a duke.”
“As long as she doesn’t try to get me leg shackled next.”
Giselle ignored him. He would wed when their father ordered him to. She, on the other hand, was looking forward to being the Duchess of Chandos.
CHAPTER TWENTY
The next morning after breakfast, Theo was walking Chandos to the front door when the doorbell rang. “Who on earth could be calling at this time of day?”
He grimaced. “I will wager you that your first bouquet of flowers is being delivered.”
“Surely not.” That could not possibly be correct. “They should be sent around to the side door.”
Chandos’s lips twitched. “Not flowers and other trinkets from the gentlemen at the ball.”
A footman opened the door, and a lad stood there holding a bouquet of roses that was almost as large as him. He held out the flowers and his hand. “These are for Lady Theodora.”
“How ostentatious.” If someone was going to send flora, they could at least have been seasonal.
The servant dropped a couple of coins in the boy’s hand and took the blooms. “Where shall I put them, my lady?”
“Find Mrs. Thorton and give them to her.” At least Theo knew their housekeeper was used to this kind of thing. “She will know what to do.”
Chandos’s eyes began to twinkle. “There should be a card telling you who sent them.”
Theo had completely forgotten about that. “I suppose I should read the card before you take them down.”
He plucked a small white missive from the blooms. “Shall I open it?”
“If you would like.” There was really no one from whom she wanted to receive flowers.
“It is from the Marquis of Crewe.”
“Am I supposed to send him a note thanking him?” Why had no one mentioned how she should deal with this?
“Er, no. The next time you see him, thank him for the gift.”
That was easy. “Thank you.”
