Lady Wilton swept in and seated herself at the far end of the table. “Good morning,” she said pleasantly.
“Good morning, my lady,” Theodosia returned with a polite smile.
A footman appeared and set a cup of chocolate before her. Theodosia reached for the cup and took a sip.
Lady Wilton turned her attention towards her son. “I was thinking?—”
“A dangerous pastime,” Lord Wilton interjected, his eyes still fixed upon the newssheets.
Lady Wilton ignored the jibe and continued. “As I was saying, I believe it would be rather pleasant for Miss Theodosia to enjoy a carriage ride through Hyde Park during the fashionable hour.”
Lord Wilton didn’t even glance up. “That is a grand idea,” he agreed.
“Wonderful,” Lady Wilton replied at once, her tone brightening. “Then you will take her.”
That made him look up. He lowered the newssheets with deliberate slowness. “I beg your pardon?”
She gestured towards Theodosia with a mild wave of her hand. “You cannot expect Miss Theodosia to go to Hyde Park alone.”
“Of course not,” he responded. “Olivia can accompany her.”
Lady Wilton’s expression didn’t waver, but her lips pressed into a firmer line. “I would feel much more at ease if you were to accompany them. For appearances, naturally.”
Lord Wilton gave a quiet sigh and folded the newssheets before setting them aside. “Very well,” he said with a reluctant nod. “Though I maintain it is entirely unnecessary.”
“Oh, you three will have such a delightful time,” Lady Wilton declared, clearly pleased.
“Now hold on for a moment,” Lord Wilton said, turning to Theodosia. “I’ve yet to hear whether Miss Theodosia actually wishes to go.”
Theodosia lowered her cup to its saucer and glanced between mother and son. “I believe it sounds lovely,” she responded. “I have always wanted to see Hyde Park.”
Lord Wilton gave her a pointed look. “You do understand, of course, that Rotten Row is less a scenic stroll and more a theatrical parade? A place for thetonto observe and be observed.”
“I suppose that sounds… delightful,” she said, though a note of hesitation slipped into her voice.
“Then I must have misrepresented it,” he said with a dry smile. “Because there is nothing delightful about it.”
“Oh, hush,” Lady Wilton chided gently. “It’s a ritual for any young woman with even the slightest association to Society.”
“But I’m not in Society,” Theodosia protested, her brow furrowing.
“No,” Lady Wilton conceded, “but you are the companion to the daughter of a marquess. That alone places you within its peripheral circles. Appearances must be made.”
Theodosia bit back the first response that came to mind. Wasn’t a companion meant to be discreet, unobtrusive? Present but not prominent?
She opened her mouth to voice her thoughts, but LordWilton spoke before she could. “There’s little use in protesting. My mother tends to get her way.”
Lady Wilton offered an unapologetic smile. “It is true.”
With a faint sigh, Theodosia picked up her fork and murmured, “Are companions always expected to be quite so… visible?”
“Do you object?” Lord Wilton asked. “Because if so, we might be forced to lock you up in the townhouse and deny you access to fresh air and polite company.”
A laugh escaped her lips. “Well, when put in those terms, I suppose appearing in Society is the lesser punishment. At least there, one is allowed a bonnet and the occasional lemon ice.”
Lord Wilton cast a glance towards the long clock in the corner. “If you’ve no pressing engagements this morning, I had hoped you might assist me in reviewing the estate accounts.”
Setting her fork down on her plate, Theodosia pushed back her chair and stood with barely contained eagerness. “I would love nothing more. We can go now?—”
