“We strive to please.” Making sure the man knew his intentions toward Theo.
“Miss Albright, might I escort you around the Park?”
“You may, my lord.” She drove on with Crewe riding alongside her.
“This has been a good day’s work.” Theo started the horses.
“It has. Crewe appears interested in Miss Albright. Perhaps you will have as much luck with them as you did with Marrow and Miss Pettigrew.”
“That would be satisfying. Speaking of Lord Marrow, I wonder what he wishes to talk with you about.”
“Or with the both of us. I gather he didn’t want his mother to know whatever it was he intends to say.”
“I caught that.” The Park had filled, and it was much longer than Leo had expected it would take to get to the gate. Once they drove through, there were drays and other vehicles with which to contend, but Theo handled it expertly.
Marrow and Miss Pettigrew were already at Gunter’s when they arrived. He’d parked his curricle off the street and motioned Theo next to them.
They ordered, then he turned to Theo. “I must tell you something. My sister is not a good dancer.”
“Is she not?”
“No. No matter how much she practices she is simply not coordinated. Patricia is almost competent, but she’s bound to step on some poor gentleman’s toes.”
“That is perfect.” Theo smiled.
Marrow looked all at sea. “I don’t understand.”
“I want to introduce her to Lord Holland. He is also not a good dancer. But he loves to travel.”
“And that is what my sister wants.” Marrow grinned. “Excellent thinking, Lady Theo.” He glanced at Miss Pettigrew. “Sarah, uh, Miss Pettigrew, knew you would be able to come up with someone for Patricia.”
Leo couldn’t help puffing out his chest a bit. “I believe she might also have matched Crewe with Miss Albright.”
“How wonderful!” Miss Pettigrew clapped her hands.
It was wonderful. Leo was proud of Theo. Now for her to recognize that they were perfect together. Thankfully, he and his secretary had developed a plan whereby Whiting would reply to the entertainment invitations Leo wished to attend, and have the rest of them sent to Mama. Until she came around to having Theo as a daughter-in-law and the next Duchess of Chandos, he didn’t want her around to put a spoke in his wheel.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Mary sat on Theo’s bed as she was preparing to go to the ball. “With whom are you dancing this evening?”
Theo caught her sister’s eye in the mirror. She had already been admonished to sit still while being dressed. “Chandos has the supper dance. Before then I am standing up with Lords Crewe, Holland, and Hereford. I suppose Lord Marrow will also request a set, and Chandos will dance with Miss Pettiford.”
“What do you think about the other gentlemen?” Mary asked. “Are they interesting?”
Mary would be thrilled to hear what Theo had done. “I was able to introduce Miss Albright to Lord Crewe and Lady Patricia to Lord Holland. I believe both couples have a strong chance to make successful matches.”
“Excellent!” Mary smiled. “I did not know that you had decided to become a matchmaker.”
“The idea occurred to me after Marrow and Sarah had worked out so well, I should try to help other ladies and gentlemen. Chandos thinks that I made good choices.” Theo grinned at her sister in the mirror. “It even turns out that neither Lady Patricia nor Lord Holland are good dancers.”
“Hmm.” Mary rested her elbow on her knee and cupped her cheek. “But, Theo, what about you?”
“For the present, I am enjoying Chandos’s company.” She shrugged. “I overheard two ladies in the ladies’ room saying he was looking for a new mistress. When he does select one, I shall not longer have his attention.” Theo did not like the idea that he would take a mistress. Yet, she could say nothing about it. It was not as if they were betrothed as Charlotte and Con had been.
“What if he does not? Acquire a mistress?”
“He will.” Theo was certain of it. “He said he was not interested in meeting young ladies. Ergo, he is not interested in finding a wife. Which means he will eventually have a mistress.”
