“I will do that.”
“Good.” And once again, she was with Ashford.
“My lady, I have never met my cousin Merton,” Lord Ashford said. “Her elder brother and I are of an age, but I was tutored before attending Oxford.”
“That would explain it.” Yet knowing about the contretemps between the current duke and Dotty’s parents, solely because of her father’s rank, it made no sense that a baron would have been allowed to marry her aunt. “Is baron a curtesy title?”
He inclined his head. “You are clever. My father is the Duke of Shrewsbury. However, we are residing with my uncle for the Season. There was no reason to open the house for such a short period.”
“I hope you enjoy the time you spend in the metropolis.”
“I intend to. My goal is to wed quickly and return home.” He smiled at her, and she understood perfectly that he meant her.
“How did you convince my brother to allow you to be presented to me?”
“I told him I was Lady Merton’s cousin and had planned to meet her here.”
The lying snake. “In other words, you lied.”
“A slight misdirection,” he drawled, sure of himself.
If they had not changed partners, she would have walked off the dance floor and left him there.
The warmth of Chandos’s hand engulfed her much smaller one. “What happened to put you in such a temper?”
“He lied to Matt about his intent to meet Dotty and Dom here. He has never even met her.” She took a breath. “He admitted it was a lie.” She pressed her lips shut for a moment. “He called it a misdirection. When I go back to him, I will tell him exactly what I think of liars and tell him to never approach me again.”
“Please listen to my idea first. Pretend to stumble and tell him that you hurt your ankle. I’ll tell Miss Pettigrew what is going on, and, if she is agreeable, she can finish the set with Ashford.”
“He thinks he is going to wed me!Me!” Theo was so furious she trembled.
“I shall escort you back to your family. You will tell your sisters and Worthington. I am quite sure they will know what to do.”
That was a much better idea than hers. “Thank you.”
Chandos squeezed her hand. “We will take care that he never approaches you again.”
She refused to speak to Ashford. Then when Chandos had had enough time to tell Sarah what had happened, Theo pretended to stumble. He was there to catch her, and Sarah smoothly took her place in the set.
“Remember to limp.” His warm breath caressed her ear.
“I suppose this means I will not be able to dance for the rest of the evening.”
“At least the next set. Your sister will know what you should do.”
When they reached her family, Chandos brought over a chair and Theo sat. Everyone gathered around them. Theo told Matt and Grace what had happened and was pleased to see that he was as angry as she was. Dotty and Con had arrived, and they were apprised of what Ashford had done.
“Harry never liked him. I do wish he was here.” Dotty pressed her lips tightly together.
“It does not matter,” Grace said. “I would like you to accompany us to Bristol House tomorrow. I will tell his mother, and your uncle, if necessary, that Ashford is to have nothing to do with Theo.”
“I’ll accompany you as well,” Con said. “I know Bristol. He is stiff necked and will not like the subterfuge. I should not be surprised if he insists that they return to Shrewsbury.”
“While you do that I will—” Theo could not think of what she would do. She had to keep busy.
“You will allow me to accompany you to Hatchards,” Chandos suggested.
“Yes. That is perfect.” She turned to Grace. “Will I have to sit out every other set this evening?”
