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Urging his horse forward, Theodore headed back towards Mayfair.

He was glad that things had gone well in his conversation with Mr. Gardiner.

He had gone into the meeting with the man as nervous as a green recruit facing the brigadier general after a prank gone horribly wrong.

Even though he had met Catherine’s uncle once or twice before and Theodore had been impressed with his joviality, he still feared the man’s opinion of his suit.

Despite his initial worries, the meeting had gone better than Theodore could have expected.

The man’s only concern was whether Theodore would be able to protect Catherine from the cruelties of high society.

When Theodore had replied that he would always protect Catherine with everything that he was, for it was impossible for him to do anything else, it had cemented things.

He was officially courting Miss Catherine. How remarkable was that?

He had long thought he would never marry; he had not wanted some poor woman left at home or following the drum.

Then after he left the regulars, he had thought the likelihood of finding a love like Darcy’s was impossible, but somehow the stars were aligning on his behalf.

His face lit up with an uncontrollable grin he couldn't suppress.

On his way back to his home, he tried to come up with an idea of what he could do to charm Catherine.

He wanted to pamper her with the things that brought her joy as they courted, but he had never courted a lady before.

What did ladies enjoy doing while courting?

What would Catherine specifically enjoy?

He would ask Darcy, but he was unsure if his cousin would have any better ideas.

Darcy had courted and become engaged in the country while defeating a series of villains.

Their courting activities were limited to strolling through the garden and engaging in intellectual pursuits like debates and chess matches.

Theodore did not feel that he and Catherine were the sort to engage in esoteric debates.

He would have to find some other method of courting his lady.

He would plan to maybe walk with her at the fashionable hour in Hyde Park.

Or they could go to Gunter's for ices. His mind consumed with ideas, he only realized the apple peddler's cart was in his path at the last moment, swerving to avoid disaster.

Realizing he had to get his mind out of the clouds, he focused on making it back to Catherine in one piece.

“So how are thing proceeding with your charitable foundation, Lizzie?” Lydia inquired.

The whole family and Mrs. Ansley was gathered in a rough circle for tea. Of course, Elizabeth and Darcy sat together on a settee. He was happy to follow their precedent by sitting next to Catherine on the other settee.

Handing Mrs. Ansley her teacup, Elizabeth answered her sister with a look of pride. “It is going rather well. We have gained enough funds to provide the school children with a trip to the seaside.”

“What kind of school are you supporting?” Theodore had known that Elizabeth was active in a charity or two, but he could never seem to get them straight.

“I am supporting a school for children in the city who have lost their families. It gives them a safe place to live that enables them to learn to read and write and gain a trade and apprenticeships.”

“It is nice that you will be taking them to the seaside. Please let me know if you need assistance in anything. I can help corral them and carry baskets, or even provide more financial support,” Theodore responded, happy to try to help where he could.

Tea with Catherine and the Darcy household was always a pleasure.

The conversation was intriguing and the pressure to conform was absent.

They were actively contemplating strategies to offer genuine help to people.

This was so much better than simply discussing it as an abstract concept, as so many people at his mother’s dinners did.

He had often heard people acknowledging the need to help the less fortunate, but never once had anyone ever followed through the least bit.

Helping people was not just for show, it meant something, and it was like a breath of fresh air to be with like-minded people.

“I will let you know once we have more of the plan in place. So many of them have had such sad beginnings. I wanted to create a joyful experience for them to cherish,” Elizabeth said, a smile spreading across her face.

“With the way their little faces light up when shown the least bit of affection and consideration, it is no wonder I have become so attached to them all.”

Leaning forward in her seat, Georgiana directed her attention to her cousin. “So Theodore, are you going to put an announcement in the papers about courting Catherine?”

He turned to Catherine, his lips curling into a warm smile, before shifting his gaze back to Georgianna. “I would love for everyone to know about my interest in Catherine, but I do not know the rules on doing those things. Catherine, do you have a preference?”

Catherine blushed under his scrutiny, but after clearing her throat replied, “Truly, I do not mind waiting for an engagement to be in the paper. Lizzie, your at home is tomorrow. Perhaps we may let it be known to our friends then that we have entered a courtship.” Pausing for a moment, she stirred her tea.

“By the time of the Covington Ball, everyone should know that we are in a relationship.

Or at least the people we care to know. You will be attending the Covington Ball, won't you?”

“My mother already told me that we shall be attending that ball. We are finally far enough into our morning that we can began to attend some of the livelier events for the season without raising any eyebrows.” Sensing Catherine’s hesitation when he mentioned his mother’s plans, Theodore hurried to try to reassure her.

“I am sure that my mother will see that I am perfectly capable of directing my own schedule. Either way, I will be insisting that I spend my time with you.”

“Colonel, I really must say that it seems odd to me that your mother is directing your schedule so very much. You directed troops in battle. Surely you can figure out how to schedule your own entertainments.” With a small clatter, Lydia set her teacup down and fixed a narrowed gaze on him.

“As much as I like you, I do not know if I appreciate you allowing your mother to dictate who you see. Aren't you capable of doing that for yourself? Shouldn’t the only woman allowed to make those kinds of suggestions now be my sister?”

Theodore paused, contemplating what Lydia said.

He appreciated how close Catherine was to all her sisters and that they would be willing to stand up for her when they thought she needed the support.

Looking at the others in the room, he realized that none of them seemed to disagree with her statement.

His mother's directives grated on him, but he yielded to them, trusting her expertise on the duties of an earl.

It seemed that the people he was closest to were growing discontented with his constant compliance to her directives.

Theodore's energy waned as he slouched in his seat, but his smile remained genuine as he glanced at the instigator of his thoughts.

“Lydia, thank you for making me think about that.

My constant worry about fulfilling my responsibilities as an earl and preserving Cedric's legacy has resulted in an overbearing influence from my mother.” He shifted his body, his eyes scanning the room's occupants, before finally resting on Catherine sitting beside him.

“Despite my reservations, I have allowed her to control my actions. I apologize for not doing anything about it before now.”

“You are forgiven as long as you remember to make time for me,” Catherine teased with a smile and reached out to pick up a chocolate biscuit from her plate and placed it on his.

“We are courting, and I wish to spend as much time with you as possible. It is not every day that a lady gets courted by the man who holds her heart.” Catherine picked up her tea and took a drink, her eyes sparkling above the cup.

Theodore grinned from ear to ear. Catherine had clearly realized that he had polished all off his cookies, prompting her to offer him his favorite treat.

Theodore looked at the woman who held his heart in return and just knew he had to spend more time with her.

“What are your plans between now and the Covington Ball? I hope there is something we can enjoy together.”

Tapping her chin for a moment, Catherine replied, “Gunter’s is always a favorite of mine, or we could practice archery?”

Theodore gently took her hand, bringing it to his lips for a tender kiss. He then placed his free hand over his heart with a touch of theatrical flair. “Artemis my goddess, I am at your service. Name the day and I will be there.”

Lydia giggled before asking, “Can I be the chaperone? You know how much I love ices.”

Walking with Catherine on his arm was not something which was entirely new, but it had become magical with the establishment of their relationship.

They were following Lydia as she happily looked in shop windows and occasionally turned back to chat with them.

Lambert, Catherine’s maid, had come as well for propriety’s sake and she trailed discreetly behind them.

At the end of the street was Gunter’s, where they would enjoy the delights that the tea shop provided.

Until they reached it, there was plenty of enjoyment to be had walking down the street and gazing into the windows.