“So can I,” Sarah said.
“I will as well,” Chandos added. He looked at the folded tables and chairs. “I never knew that’s how they were stored. Tell me where they go.”
Simms looked at Theo for permission. She nodded. Simms addressed them. “The important thing right now is to get them all unfolded. Some of them are heavy.”
By the time the first of the footmen returned, all the tables and most of the chairs had been unfolded. “My lady, we were able to get a little more than half of the champagne back. Lady Eleanor, er, Lady Montagu rang a peel over his lordship’s head for forgetting your ball and taking the champagne.”
“As well she should,” Chandos said. “Do you know if the champagne from my house has arrived?”
“Yes, your grace. Your footmen delivered it. Your stock made up for what we were lacking and more.”
Theo could not believe how helpful Chandos was being. “Thank you so very much. I will replace the amount you lent me.”
He shook his head. “Consider it a gift more useful than bouquets.”
“Well, thank you again.” She smiled at him. Even after unfolding most of the tables, and placing some of them, he still looked put together.
“It’s my pleasure.”
Theo glanced at Simms. “We will go and see about the flowers.
Do you have the men you need now?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Followed by Sarah and Chandos, Theo found Mrs. Thorton downstairs in a room near the kitchen with a man identified as the florist’s assistant. Among the daffodils, bluebells, and hydrangea flowers, were dozens of red, pink, and deep yellow tulips. “I’m glad everything arrived.”
“Yes, my lady,” the assistant said. “Do you want to be notified after the first arrangements are completed?”
Not really, but, if nothing else, this morning had taught her that she must. “Yes, please.” Chandos, Sarah, and Theo left the room and went up to the morning room where Thorton brought a tea tray. “I thought you might be hungry.”
“Thank you.” If she was, Chandos most certainly was. She poured each of them a cup and placed the tray of sandwiches near him. “You have saved the day again with your tulips. They are lovely.”
“I’m glad you like them.” Leo had only planned to stop by to see if Theo required anything. He’d not expected to be put to work. Still, he was happy that she had trusted him enough to take advantage of his presence and accept his offers of assistance. “And I am glad to have been able to help.”
Theo glanced at Miss Pettigrew with a raised brow, and she nodded. Then his beloved looked at him. “Sarah and Marrow are to be married. His mother is planning the betrothal ball.”
“Finally.” Leo had been expecting the announcement for a while now. “My best wishes to you, Miss Pettigrew. Marrow is a lucky man.”
She waved her hand. “Please call me Sarah. After all the work we did together, it is proper.”
“In that case, I am honored.”
“You must also be hungry.” Theo motioned to the plate of sandwiches. “Please eat.”
These were not the small sandwiches that normally accompany tea, but larger ones filled with various meats and cheeses. “Thank you.”
“When do you expect to wed?” Theo asked before she took a bite of a sandwich.
“That matter is currently being debated.” Miss Sarah took a sip of tea. “Marrow wants it to be as soon as possible.” Leo could absolutely understand and appreciate that. “My mother wants us to wait long enough to have a large wedding breakfast. His mother tends to agree with her. I would like to marry in two to three weeks.”
He swallowed. “How long does it take to plan a large wedding breakfast?”
She took a deep breath. “Mama said four to six weeks. Lady Carlisle says three to four weeks.”
Theo’s expression showed clearly what she thought of a wedding breakfast taking so long to plan. He knew that her sisters had married two weeks after their engagements. “I hate to say it, but I would trust Lady Carlisle over your mother.”
“I agree,” Sarah said. “I do not wish to hurt my mother’s feelings, but …”
