“Of course. I wish you a good evening.”
“Thank you. I wish you the same.” She curtseyed. When she turned, Chandos was there.
He held out his arm. “Were your toes safe?”
“Yes. He is actually a very good dancer.”Not as good as you. Yet, she would not tell him that. “He has asked me to go horseback riding tomorrow during the Fashionable Hour.”
“Will you go?” There was something in his eyes she could not decipher.
Theo shrugged. “If Grace allows it. I told him to write an invitation and send it in the morning.”
“It will be a change of pace from the carriage.” He still had that look in his eyes.
“Yes.” What was wrong with her? Riding would be different. It would probably be easier to go around the Park with all the traffic. She should be happier. “Epione has never been in a crowd before.”
“You are an excellent rider. I have faith that you can handle her no matter what happens.”
She would also have her groom with her. “Thank you. I should not worry. She is well trained.”
“Exactly.” He glanced up. “Here is his lordship to collect you.”
What was wrong with her this evening? The only thing Theo could point to was Ashford. He had put a damper on her evening. There was no use looking to anyone else. Chandos, for example, was behaving perfectly normally. He had taken a stroll with Alice, but there was nothing in that. He never behaved as if he were more than a friend. Sooner or later, he would find a mistress, and she would find a husband.
She smiled at her next dance partner and curtseyed. Theo could not wait for this night to be over. Finally, it was time for the supper dance, and Chandos led her out.
He bowed. “Are you feeling better?”
“I do not know how anger transformed into malaise.” Theo curtseyed, then they took their positions.
“It was probably discovering that he didn’t care about you, but what you represent.”
“You could be right. I have never had to go through that before.” She did not want to meet another gentleman like Ashford again.
“I do think Worthington is going to be even more careful than before.”
“I know Grace is so angry that she wants to be the one to deal with him, but do you not think Matt would be the better choice?”
“Probably.” They raised their hands and turned in a circle. “But it’s up to them to work it out.”
“Yes.” They lowered their arms. “I hope I do not have to worry about him attempting to abduct me.”
“What?” Despite Chandos’s eyes being focused on her, he did not miss a step. “Why would you think that?”
“Did you not know? Alice was abducted. St. Albans went after her and saved her.”
Chandos nodded. “Yes, I knew about that, but it cannot happen to you. Whoever tried—” As they twirled again his teeth clenched. “I will not allow that to happen to you.”
Other than remaining next to her the entire Season, Theo did not know how he was going to accomplish that. “You will not have time to do anything else if you do that.”
“I will do what I must.” The music ended and he swept her an elegant bow while she curtseyed.
She placed her hand on his arm as he escorted her to the supper room. Simply dancing with him and hearing him vow to protect her had lifted her mood.
Theo’s poor spirits had affected Leo. He’d suspected that it had to be Ashford, and Leo had been right. He also knew exactly why the bounder had come to the ball. Ashford had wanted to ensure himself that he could bed her when, in his delusion, they wed. Not that he’d get a chance to have her. Leo would do everything in his power to see it didn’t happen.
“You look like you’d like to commit murder,” St. Albans said.
“I’m contemplating it.” Leo was either going to murder Ashford or ensure he went back to Shrewsbury. Murder would be more satisfying, but sending him away would work. That bounder would never lay a hand on Theo again.
