“What do you plan to do with it?”
“I’m not sure yet. Lady Gallwey’s daughter, Maggie, is quite taken with it. Slade and Isabella’s staff wanted them to keep it. As much as I wanted to leave it with Slade and Isabella, I brought it home; otherwise, I feared Maggie would want to visit the Hertfords every day to see it.”
“I see. That would not do,” she said delicately as she sipped her tea. “Lady Gallwey does not wish to keep it?”
Thomas chuckled. The shrewd minx never volunteered. “I suppose she was reassured by how much the dog was wanted and felt her own home might be upended with a new addition. I have the dog at my townhouse.” He took a bite of his rashers. “The purpose of my visit is to ask a favor.”
“And what would that be, Thomas?”
“I would appreciate it if you would agree to host a luncheon this afternoon…for Lady Gallwey, Lady Maggie, and myself—and of course, our family. I’m certain the girls will adore Maggie. She’s three and will steal your heart. I wish to spend time with Frankie and having luncheon here allows me the privacy to speak with her while keeping everything appropriate.”
His mother drew back in her chair and regarded him. “That’s short notice.”
“Does the short notice make it too difficult to accomplish?” he asked. He had never asked for such a favor, but he had run out of options. Kip had agreed that Thomas’ idea of a luncheon was a good one. And holding it at the Latham family townhouse would be best, otherwise, Frankie might opt to stay home. Thomas knew that Slade and Isabella would have hosted but after everything they did for them yesterday, he couldn’t impose.Most important—Frankie had already accepted his invitation.
“Well…not exactly too difficult, but it will be challenging. However, I believe it’s possible to create a lovely luncheon on short notice. Two o’clock gives a little wiggle room,” she said.
A grin split his face. “Perfect. Thank you, Mother.” Oddly, he felt only the slightest twinge of guilt for having invited Frankie before speaking with his mother. Instead, he felt bonded to his mother with this scheme, especially considering the many times she had schemed with debutantes and their mothers.
“I feel I have no choice,” his mother drawled, setting down the morning edition of theTon Tattler.
Thomas took a bite of his toast and washed it down with a swig of coffee. “Anything salacious today?” he asked, pointing to the paper.
She laughed. “Nothing as scandalous as yesterday, I warrant. I had just started reading when you arrived.”
A smile curled the edge of his mouth. “I would give money to see the Widow Deville’s face when she read that article in yesterday’sTattlerabout her unfortunate fall. I didn’t get the chance to share that with Frankie yesterday. The day flew by after the incident at the Serpentine.”
“She was lucky you were there. I suppose it was Providence,” his mother said with a wink. “Anyway, it’ll give me something to share with her this afternoon.”
“Then, you’ll do it?”
“If I’m reading my tea leaves correctly, you’ve already asked her,” she said, picking up her paper and giving it a stiff shake.
Thomas took his fork and speared a bite of his rashers but said nothing.
“And she’s a wonderful young woman. Most importantly, she seems to have won my son’s heart,” his mother continued under her breath but loud enough for him to hear her.
His sister and cousin rushed in with Paula’s mother in tow. “I hope you left some rashers for me, Thomas,” Katie teased, giving a quick nod to the stack on his plate.
His mother lowered her paper. “Young lady! That is most impertinent and rude. One doesn’t comment on another’s plate of…rashers.” She gave his stacked plate a look and raised a brow. “I believe I might sponsor a small luncheon today.”
“Oh my, a luncheon!” Katie said, giving a mock presentation of holding a teacup with her pinky in the air. “I’ll promise to be on my best behavior.”
She and Paula giggled. Breakfast had always been the most relaxed time of day for his family. And he enjoyed having his aunt and cousin here. It gave Katie a conspiratorial ally when it came to their mother’s rules of decorum.
“Yes, my dear, we are,” their mother said. “But I’m imagining a family sort of luncheon today, a way for us to meet Lady Gallwey and her daughter in relaxed surroundings, that sort of thing.” The viscountess shot a glance at Thomas, who gave a slight inclination of his head. “Your brother plans to bring Lady Gallwey and her little girl, Maggie. Two o’clock will work out quite nicely, I believe,” she added before taking a sip of tea.
“Thank you, Mother.” Thomas washed down the last bite of his rashers and stood. “If you ladies will excuse me, I have a few matters to attend to.”
“Son, before you leave, do you have any other thoughts on this luncheon? Or shall I choose the menu, etcetera?”
“Mother, you have exquisite taste in all things, especially food. I trust you implicitly. But I have one more thing to ask.”
Her brows rose. “Pray tell, what would that be?” A smile flickered on her lips.
“I would like to bring the puppy here. She is well-behaved and appears to be well-trained. Most amazing. Maggie will ask about her, and I thought it would help make her more comfortable to have the dog here.”
She gave a slight nod. “I’m eager to meet this paragon of the canine family. I shall see you at two.”
