Page 85 of Catching Lady Theo
“It means that I am not going to tell you. Ask one of your sisters. I’m sure they will. Worthington would have my guts for garters if I told you.”
Miss Pettigrew just looked at him. “That is a descriptive way of putting it, your grace.”
Marrow burst into laughter. “It might be time for us to have a nice gallop before you get yourself into trouble.”
“I believe you’re right.” Leo glanced at Theo. “Are you ready to race?”
“I am.” Her mare started to move forward, and they were pounding toward the tree.
Again, they arrived at the oak at the same time. “What have you decided to do?”
Her smile could only be described as unpleasant. “If I can catch her, and if Ashford is at the same entertainment, I will have the note delivered to him.”
“I think it’s an excellent idea.” Although Leo hoped that by the time that pair got around to enacting their scheme, Theo would already be his. “We will have to be vigilant.”
“Yes. We will.” She frowned. “I am not looking forward to this afternoon.”
“With Bolingbroke?”
She nodded. “I do not appreciate that he attempted to go around me to Matt.”
Leo was not going to tell her that most gentlemen would address the lady’s father or guardian. To Theo it was unacceptable. “I understand. Would you like me to be there?”
“Yes. If it would not be too much trouble.”
“It’s no trouble at all.” He’d be happy to put a spoke in Bolingbroke’s wheel. “I’m delighted to do it.”
Her groom cleared his throat. She glanced at him. “We had better be going.”
“Yes.” He’d become so used to having her groom following, Leo forgot all about the servant.
“Come and break your fast with us.” She headed toward the Serpentine where Marrow and Miss Pettigrew would be waiting.
“Thank you, I will.” Leo’s valet had become so accustomed to taking his kit to Worthington House, he had the feeling the servant kept a bag packed.
He’d just entered the breakfast room when Kenilworth took Leo aside. “You will be happy to know that Theo has hadin flagranteexplained to her. You will be unhappy to know that Worthington will indeed have your guts for garters if you say anything like that in front of her again. Until you are married, of course.”
“I understand. I said it before I realized that I should not have.” He was so used to being able to speak freely with Theo, that he had not even thought about it until it was too late. “I must remember in whose company I am.”
“As long as we are clear about the expected behavior.”
“We are.”
Kenilworth slapped Leo on the back. “That is what I wanted to know.”
Leo suddenly had a thought. “How long did it take Charlotte to agree to marry you?”
“Much too long, but not as long as it took St. Albans to wed Alice. They were almost at the end of the Season.”
“Lord, I hope it doesn’t take that much time.” Leo wanted to groan.
“So do we all. Attending all the balls and other entertainments is exhausting when we’re up with the children in the morning.”
He couldn’t wait until Theo and he had children. First, he had to win her hand. Apropos of that, he should inform the family that he would accompany her on her ride with Bolingbroke. “In the event you were wondering, I will be with her all afternoon.”
Kenilworth gave a sharp nod. “That will save one of us from having to go. I’m famished.”
Leo was as well. He took his seat next to Theo. “What time are we going to Hatchards?”
