“After luncheon.” She took a bite of her shirred eggs. “Matt sent a note around last night saying that he needed to meet with the duke concerning his nephew.”
Leo took ham and shirred eggs from the footman, then placed a piece of toast on his plate. “That should be an interesting conversation.”
“I know.” She took a sip of tea as he poured his. “Part of me would like to be there. But even I know that would not be prudent.”
He’d like to be there as well, if only to harm Ashford in some way. “We will do much better at the bookstore.”
She looked at him from beneath her lashes. “We would only get into trouble.”
A footman entered the room. “Lady Theo, flowers have arrived for you.”
“Please have them put in water.” She rubbed her forehead. “Why do they waste their time?”
Leo had been wanting to send her a bouquet; now he was glad he hadn’t. “Perhaps some of them send their valets to purchase them.”
“I just want them to stop.” She bit her lip. “It makes me feel guilty. I am not interested in any of them.”
“Sweetheart,” Alice said. “It is all part of the game. Do not worry about it. They are sending other ladies flowers as well.”
Theo appeared struck by the information and her brow cleared. “If that is what they are doing, then I will not be concerned aboutit.”
Excellent. Now he could enjoy their time at the bookstore and guard her during the ride. He was starting to feel like Lancelot, until Leo remembered that Lancelot had cuckolded the king. Gawain might be a better choice. Leo almost forgot. Tonight was Almack’s. Definitely Gawain.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Theo had been surprised that Chandos had asked for advice on estate management. He was really very knowledgeable. What was even more interesting was his love of Miss Austen. Of course, that had given Theo the opportunity to introduce him to some other authors she also read. After they had finished at Hatchards they went to the Burlington Arcade. Theo wanted a new fan for the gown she would wear to Almack’s that evening.
“What color is your gown?” Chandos asked as he perused the collection of fans.
“It is a deep butter yellow with Pomona green trim.”
“And your reticule?”
“Pomona green.” She joined him looking at the fans. “Here is one.” It was a very pretty scene of a Georgian couple under a tree. “The only problem is that the colors will not go with the gown I am wearing this evening. It will, however, go with another gown.”
“What about this?” Chandos held up a delicate fan of lace with gold trim.
“That is lovely. But I am not wearing any gold.”
He stood close to her. “You could wear gold-tipped hairpins.”
“Perhaps with pearls.”
“Perfect.” He went to another area of the store and found the hairpins. “What do you think of these?”
They were small gold-flowered hairpins with pearls in the middle. “They are lovely.” She held out her hand. “Once I pay for these we can go.”
He held them close to his chest. “I will buy them for you. After all, I haven’t sent any flowers, and I guarantee that these ornaments will not cost nearly what some of those bouquets do. You need not worry about the fan and pins being inappropriate.”
Theo knew the fan was not inexpensive, but she had no idea what flowers cost. Chandos would be a much better judge of that. “Very well. Thank you.”
“It is entirely my pleasure.” He made the purchase, and they returned to her phaeton and added the package to the books in the carrying space. “Do you think your brother and sister are back from Bristol House yet?”
“They must be.” She looked at her brooch watch. “It has been almost two hours.”
He helped her into the vehicle. “I’ll be interested in hearing what occurred.”
“As will I.” She waited until he was seated before giving the horses their office. “You should stay for tea.”
