Theo sat on the sofa next to the lady. “Is there anything with which I can help you?”
“Not help exactly. I met a number of gentlemen last night.” She smiled. “Thank you for allowing the duke to stand up with me.” Theo wanted to tell Miss Cunningham that he did not belong to Theo, but Miss Cunningham continued. “After the first dance, I met a number of gentlemen.” Her forehead wrinkled. “The problem is that neither my mother nor I know anything about them. I would like to believe that the Patronesses would not present anyone who was unsuitable, but at the last house, a few ladies were saying that there were some gentlemen whom they would not allow to be presented to their daughters.”
That would be a problem. “We can make sure your mother knows my sister, Lady Worthington. She would be able to advise you.”
Sarah took a small chair next to the sofa. “Is there anyone in particular you want to know about?”
Miss Cunningham colored slightly. “I was taken with Lord Bolingbroke. He was very nice and conversed with a great deal of sense.”
Theo exchanged a look with Sarah, and said, “He is nice. Did he send you flowers or anything this morning?”
“Oh, yes! He sent a bouquet of wildflowers. I mentioned to him that I liked them much better than the cultivated ones.”
That was excellent. “Would you like to go riding with me this afternoon during the Grand Strut? It would not surprise me if we saw his lordship.”
“If you would not mind taking me.” Miss Cunningham’s blush deepened. “I would love it.”
“Theo, will you take your high-perched phaeton?” Sarah asked.
Miss Cunningham’s face immediately lost all color.
Theo took a breath. For the sake of making another match, she could sacrifice driving. “No, I believe we should take the landau. That way we can all go. I will just ask my sister.” She looked at Sarah again. “Unless you are already otherwise engaged.”
“It is no problem. I will tell Marrow that I am driving with you today.”
“Oh, thank you.” Miss Cunningham’s color returned. “You must think it very cowardly to be afraid of the high-perched phaetons. I was in one once and experienced vertigo.”
Theo had never heard of it happening in a carriage, but she did know that some people got vertigo from being in high places. “Think nothing of it.” She took out her notebook and pencil. “If you give me your address, we will collect you at five.”
Before leaving the house, she made sure that Mrs. Cunningham was introduced to Grace and confirmed that Theo could use the landau that afternoon.
The meeting that Chandos was in with her brothers broke up at three, and he was invited to remain to drink tea with them.
After he and Theo had their tea and biscuits, they repaired to the window seat. “I saw Miss Cunningham during morning visits today.”
“How was she? I hope she had a sufficient number of dance partners.”
“She did.” Theo grinned at him. “She is particularly interested in Lord Bolingbroke.”
Chandos’s eyes twinkled as he gazed back at her. “Bolingbroke. That’s very interesting.”
“That is what Sarah and I thought. So, I decided to take the landau so that we could all go out together during the Fashionable Hour. I know we were to go together, but you do not mind, do you?”
“Not at all.” In fact, Leo would be happy to have Bolingbroke interested in a lady other than Theo. “I’ll bring my horse and meet you there.”
“That is a wonderful idea. I wish someone could tell his lordship that we were going to be at the Park.”
Leo could probably help with that. “Let me see what I can do.” Theo’s smile made his heart beat harder. It also made his cock take notice. Soon. After her come out ball, he could begin courting her. That reminded him. “May I have your first dance at your come out ball?”
She gave him a curious look. “You usually want the supper dance.”
“If you must know, I have been informed that you will be so busy with your guests that I’m better off asking for your first set.”
A light tinkling laugh escaped her lips. “Yes, you may have my first dance.”
He hoped it was a waltz, but knew it wasn’t likely to be.” The clock chimed the hour. “I had better go. Are you fetching Miss Cunningham?”
“I am.”
