CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The next morning when Theo returned from her ride, she was immediately accosted with questions about the final preparations for her ball.
“My lady,” Mrs. Thorton said, “the florist said that the tulips he ordered from Holland haven’t arrived. He said he can fill in with daffodils, but he’s afraid that they won’t have enough color by themselves.”
“Does he have any suggestions?” This was the reason she had done everything months ago. So this would not happen.
“He said he has some very nice hyacinths. But—”
“I know. Alice is allergic to them.”
In the distance the doorbell rang, and Sarah strolled into the room. “I came to help.”
“The florist has not received the tulips I ordered. He has daffodils.”
Sarah nodded. “But you need more color. What about bluebells? You can have them under the daffodils in the arrangements.”
“That is an excellent idea. We could also add rhododendron flowers around the room.” She looked at the housekeeper. “Will that do?”
“I hope so, my lady.” She bustled out of the room.
Theo glanced at Sarah. “When is your come out ball? You mentioned it once, but that was all.”
An excited smile dawned on her face. “I am not going to have one. I love my mother dearly, but she cannot plan anything more complicated than a dinner. Instead, I am having a betrothal ball at Carlisle House.”
“Oh!” Theo hugged her friend. “When was this decided?”
“This morning after our ride. Lady Carlisle and Marrow had been speaking about it. This morning, he broke his fast with Mama and me and suggested that we just have a betrothal ball. Then he went down on one knee and proposed. His mother had even given him a betrothal ring to give to me.”
“I am so excited for you!”
“And I have more news!” Sarah took Theo’s hands. “Patricia and Lord Holland are betrothed.”
“Fabulous! Will they share the ball with you and Marrow?”
Sarah shook her head. “No. They are marrying almost immediately. He must be in Vienna soon. I believe one of the reasons Lady Carlisle was so happy about being able to plan a betrothal for us was that she cannot give her youngest daughter one.”
“My lady.” Their cook, Jacque, entered the parlor. “It is a catastrophe. The cake we ordered was dropped. It is ruined.”
“Who do we know that has a pastry chef? It is going to take more than one person to make everything we need. Instead of a cake we can have an assortment of smaller desserts.” She knew Dotty had one, and Louisa. “Lady Merton, our duchess, who else?”
“Lady Montagu. I will think of some more.” His countenance brightened. “Lady Kenilworth.Oui. That will work. I will explain and send everyone letters.”
Jacque left, and a footman ran into the room. “My lady, we don’t have enough champagne.”
That was not possible. She had been here when it arrived last week. “What happened to it?”
“Someone from Lord Montagu’s house came over and needed to borrow some. He took most of it.”
“Send however many men you need over there and get it back. Right now. Wait while I write a message to my sister.” Theo went to the small desk in the corner, dashed off a missive, sanded it, and sealed it. She handed it to the footman. “Have this given to Lady Montagu.” She glanced at Sarah. “I will guarantee you that Eleanor knew nothing about this. I am going to see how the rest of the arrangements are coming along. You may come if you wish.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Theo almost walked into Chandos, who was in the hall. “What are you doing here?”
He spread his hands with his palms out. “I came to see if you needed help.”
“The champagne is missing, the order of tulips has not arrived from Holland yet, and the cake was dropped. Our Jacque is writing to the pastry chefs in our family to arrange for desserts.”
