by Ella Quinn
“Soon, I believe,” Mama replied. “It has a good deal of support, but unfortunately, there have been vociferous objections by those who still own slaves in the West Indies and other places. They wish to be compensated for what they perceive as loss of property.”
“It is a shame that we cannot chain them in a ship and take them to work in the sugarcane and indigo fields.” Eugénie’s normally lyrical voice was colder than ice. “I wonder how long it would take for them to change their minds.”
Adeline thought that was an excellent idea, even if it would be impossible to actually do. “Not long at all, I suspect.”
“Hmmm.” Her sister-in-law leaned back against the swabs.
Mama sighed. “I feel that I must point out that abductions, especially of peers, are against the law.”
One of Eugénie’s brows rose, but she said nothing, leaving Adeline to wonder if the seed would actually sprout, and if it did, how to stop it from bearing fruit. Neither her mother nor father would appreciate the scandal.
The carriage stopped, and they were ushered into Lady Bellamny’s house, where Adeline found Georgie and Augusta as well as Miss Hanson, a young lady with a wealth of rich chestnut hair but a perpetually pinched look on her face, and her friend, Miss Archibald, who agreed with Miss Hanson in all things. They were neighbors in the country and had grown up together.
Georgie and Augusta made room for Adeline on one of the small chaises.
“How long have you been here?” she asked her friends.
“Just a few minutes.” Georgie cut her eyes to Miss Hanson, and lowered her voice. “She has been asking about Lords Turley and Littleton.”
“Lord Littleton is quite the topic of conversation.” Adeline could not help keep the sarcasm from her tone.
“Despite how Dorie feels about him,” Georgie said, “you must admit he is the most handsome gentleman in Town this Season and, my mother tells me, the most eligible.”
“He is.” Adeline did not like to admit the fact, but it was true. Exeter might have a superior rank, but he was being hampered by his mother’s behavior. Gentlemen like Lord Anglesey had the promise of inheriting wealth and greater titles, but they were still under their fathers’ thumbs and dependent upon them for their allowances.
The talk turned to fashions, Paris, and the news that the new Duchess of Wharton, a duchess in her own right, had been located and had recently arrived in Town.
“Where was she?” Georgie asked.
“In Tortola.” Lady Bellamny fastened her eyes on Eugénie. “Lady Wivenly, you might know of her family, the Calders.”
A line formed between Eugénie’s fine brows, but she shook her head. “We did not often travel to Tortola. The islands appear close on a map, but it is not a short journey from one to the other.” She took a sip of tea. “However, I shall make a point of meeting her.”
During the exchange, all the other ladies had leaned forward, obviously hoping to hear something more about the duchess, and after a collective discontent went back to discussing other things.
“This Season is definitely becoming more fascinating.” Georgie smiled brightly. “It will be exciting to see who she chooses for her husband.”
“I suppose so.” But as far as Adeline was concerned, the Season was interminable, and she would be just as happy to return home. The only gentleman who held any promise at all was Lord Anglesey.
As expected, her friend’s remark set off speculation on who the duchess would choose to wed.
“I wonder if she will have to wait to be asked, or if the fact that she is a duchess enables her to propose to the gentleman,” Miss Hanson said.
Lady Bellamny quickly put an end to that speculation. “The only lady allowed to propose to a gentleman is a queen or a princess.”
* * *
An hour or so after arriving home, Adeline was making her way to the hall and had just finished pulling on her gloves when Abney greeted Lord Littleton.
His lordship stood straight and tall, with shoulders broader than any man had a right to. A slight smile was on his well-formed lips as he watched her descend the stairs. It must have been all the talk this afternoon, because he looked even more handsome than usual. She had never noticed how thick and long his black lashes were. They made his eyes appear even greener. And even though a streak of guilt speared her, Adeline could not help but be glad it was him she was riding with. At least he would not want her to gossip about other people. Still, she must address his behavior this morning. That could not be allowed to occur again.
He’d barely climbed into the seat beside her when he got a sheepish look on his face. “I have to ask your forgiveness for this morning. I have told Humphries that from now on he will walk Maximus without my interference.”
“Thank you.” Well, that took the wind out of her sails. Still, she was not going to let him get away that easily. “You are forgiven, but I was not at all pleased that you tried to jape me.”
“You’re not the only one,” he grumbled to himself, and Adeline had to keep from smiling. “From now on, Maximus will visit with you accompanied only by his footman.” Drat the man! She had been ready to ring a peal over his head, but he turned his sorrowful green eyes to her, and she could not do it. “I promise I will never attempt to deceive you about anything again.”
She did not want to believe him, but his look was so sincere and open, she did not have a choice. He was telling her the truth. “Thank you.”
“No. Thank you for allowing me to make my apology. I should not have done it.” He threaded the ribbons through his fingers and gave the pair their office.
“I do look forward to walking with Maximus.” The kennel master at home had taught her about walking the dogs. Of course, none of them were anywhere near the Great Dane’s size. It would be more like walking a horse. Adeline still wanted a dog of her own. “It is a shame that the Worthingtons’ dogs are not going to have another litter anytime soon.”
“It might be sooner than you think,” Frits said as he feathered a corner. “Worthington said something about this autumn.”
Autumn. If luck was with her, she would be married by then and be able to get one of the puppies. Whoever she married must like dogs and want them in the house. She was not going to spend the rest of her life deprived of a housedog. Lord Anglesey’s reaction to seeing Maximus had been disappointing. Then again, it might have been because Lord Littleton was there.
They entered the Park and began making their way behind the other carriages.
“Lord Littleton.” Adeline’s teeth clenched at the breathy female voice. She glanced to her side, but his size blocked her view, and she could not see who had spoken.
“Miss Tice.” His bored drawl made her look past him to the lady in a high-perched phaeton accompanied by her friend, Miss Martindale.
Adeline pasted a polite smile on her face. “Good afternoon.”
For a bare moment, a sour look appeared on Miss Tice’s face, only to be quickly replaced by a slight smile. “Lady Adeline, I did not see you.”
Adeline used her sweetest voice as she said, “That is not at all surprising. From that side I am sure it is difficult to see past his lordship.”
“How very true.” Miss Martindale tittered. “I was just saying how very large Lord Littleton is.”
Miss Tice picked up her ribbons. “I hope we shall see you at Lady Elliott’s ball?”
“Yes, indeed,” Adeline responded. She was not sure who exactly the lady had addressed, but the tic in Lord Littleton’s jaw assured her that he would not have answered.
“Ladies.” He inclined his head and moved the carriage forward.
Having been caught wool-gathering, Adeline kept an eye out for the ladies who must be acknowledged and for a glimpse of her friends; she had not paid much attention to the other ladies since the first time she had driven with Lord Littleton. Now she saw Lady Sutton look him over as one would a particularly tasty treat, and Lady Holloway eye him speculatively. And altho
ugh another lady wiggled her fingers at him, he did not appear to notice her; instead, he turned his attention to Adeline. Despite being a rake, he had impeccable manners.
“I ordered a new curricle with a place for Maximus.” His boyish grin softened the strong, angular lines of his lean face.
“He will love being able to ride with you.” From what she had seen of Augusta’s dogs, they loved being with people.
“That’s what I think.” Lord Littleton nodded thoughtfully.
“When will it be completed?”
“In a few weeks. Perhaps less.” In fact, Frits had agreed to a much higher price for the carriage so it would be constructed quickly. “I impressed upon them that I wanted it as soon as possible.”
Another one of his former lovers tried to get his attention. This was becoming a damned nuisance. “Will you accompany us on its maiden drive?”
“With Maximus?” Her gray eyes turned silver, and Frits hoped that meant Lady Adeline was delighted. “I would love to.”
That was the first time she had been so happy when she’d accepted an invitation from him. He hadn’t even had to ask her when she could not refuse. His chest puffed out until it occurred to him her happiness was probably because of the dog. “Excellent.”
“Oh, look. There is Dorie and Lord Exeter.”
Frits glanced in the direction she was pointing. “So it is.” He sincerely hoped that his friend would capture Lady Dorie’s hand soon. Perhaps once she had formed an attachment to another gentleman, Lady Adeline would not think so harshly of him. In the meantime, he felt as if he was treading water when he really wanted to swim to shore. “When is your come out ball?”
Her eyes widened, as if the question shocked her. Surely her mother planned a ball for her. Then her fine brows pulled together. “Not for another week or so. I think.” She gave a decisive nod. “Yes, I think it’s in two weeks. Mama is waiting for my godmother to arrive in Town, and she lives in the Lake District.”
“Is it too early to ask you for the supper dance?” He prayed it was a waltz. He never got tired of waltzing with Lady Adeline. She was the most graceful lady with whom he had ever stood up.
She hesitated for a second, then her lips curved up. “Not at all.”
“Thank you.” They had completed one circuit and he would have asked her if she wanted to go around again, but the number of carriages had grown, and it would take them at least another hour before he could take her home. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. “Would you care to continue on?”
She glanced at the traffic, opened her watch brooch, and shook her head. “I should go home.”
At least she didn’t look happy with her decision. “I thought that might be your answer. I wouldn’t want your mother to think I’d made off with you.”
Raising her brows, she chuckled. “I am sure she knows you would do no such thing. Speaking of that, our mothers have just entered the fray.”
He looked around and, sure enough, both of them were in Lady Watford’s landau. Unfortunately, coming through the gate was Anglesey, and Frits could not avoid passing the man.
Making himself politely incline his head, he greeted his lordship. “Anglesey, well-met.”
“Littleton,” Anglesey said stiffly. When he glanced at Adeline, his smile reminded Frits of a trickster’s. “Lady Adeline, a pleasure to see you again. I am truly honored to come across you twice in one day.”
Frits was going to be ill on the spot.
“My lord.” She gave Anglesey her hand, and Frits wished he could see her expression. “It is nice to see you.”
At least she wasn’t “delighted.” “We must be going.”
“Until this evening, fair lady.” The rapscallion rode off.
“You do not like him, do you?” Adeline’s head was tilted to one side, and she wore her considering look.
“Not particularly.” Frits started the curricle again.
“Why?”
He pulled to a stop. If she was going to ask questions like that, he needed to pay attention to what he was saying and not his horses. “I can’t really say.” Other than that the man was much too interested in Adeline, and he didn’t like it. No. It was more than that. Frits didn’t trust the lordling. Why else would he have written to Elizabeth Harrington? “It is just a feeling.” He wished he could tell her to stay away from his lordship. But he had no right, nor did he have any evidence against Anglesey. “That is all it is, a feeling.”
“Hmmm. I noticed Maximus did not care for him.” She stared straight past Frits, her eyes unfocused.
“I’d trust Maximus’s reading of the man. Great Danes are very discerning.” Perhaps if she couldn’t trust Frits, she’d trust his dog.
Adeline gave a slight shrug. “You might be correct.”
Sensing the conversation was over, he gave his horses their office. He’d like to be in a position to overtly protect her. But he wasn’t, so he would simply have to do it by other means.
She gave a little snort. “Do you mean to tell me that you are not going to agree that you could be right?”
That made him smile. “Now that you mention it, I will.”
He was rewarded by a light peal of laughter. “I thought you might.”
Her cheeks were the same color pink as the flowers he’d sent that morning. It was odd that she had not mentioned them. “Did you like the bouquet I sent you?”
Her eyes rounded and she shook her head. “I haven’t seen them.”
“No?” He didn’t think the arrangement had been so small as to be overlooked.
“I was out of the house all day and arrived home just in time to change for our ride. I shall look for them when I get home.”
They were approaching Upper Brook Street when he had a thought. “Would you like to go to Gunter’s for an ice?”
“Oh, I would love to!” She clasped her hands together at her breast, plumping them together, and he had to make himself look at her face. “I have not been there yet.”
“Then it is time you visited.” That was a much better idea than remaining in the Park had been. He’d be able to spend more time with her and not be interrupted by others passing by. Perhaps he’d even find a way past the barrier she had erected between them.
Chapter Twelve
Mmm. The Muscadine ice was divine. Adeline was absolutely certain she had never tasted anything so sumptuous in her entire life. “Thank you for suggesting this.” She slowly sucked the last little bit from the spoon and thought she heard Lord Littleton groan. “Are you well? I have heard that eating ices too quickly can cause a headache.”
“I’m fine.” His tone was brusque as he turned abruptly and hailed a waiter. “I’m glad you are enjoying yourself.”
“I am.” This was better than all the balls she had attended put together. There was still a sheen of the ice in the dish, but the only way to get to it would be to lick it out. Stifling a sigh, she handed him the bowl. “Thank you.”
His lips twitched as his grass-green eyes twinkled. “You may have another if you wish.”
“No, thank you. I need a reason to return.” As often as she could.
Adeline could not help but notice his lips as he smiled. The bottom lip was a little fuller than the top, but what was fascinating was the way the ends tipped up even when he was not smiling. How had she not noticed that before?
“Shall we make it a traditional end to a carriage ride?”
Well, that might be a problem. Adeline kept telling herself that she should not accept his offers of carriage rides, but for some reason she always did. Although, to be fair, he always asked when she could not politely decline. Except for today, when he had asked if she would like to go out with him and Maximus in the new carriage. Nevertheless, when they were riding together, and even though Henrietta said she thought Dorie would understand, Adeline hoped and prayed Dorie would not be there to see her.
This, though, was different. It seemed like more of a commitment. How bad could a promise to
eat ices be? Especially when Adeline liked them so much.
She refocused her eyes and found him staring at her and prayed that if her friend found out, she would not hate her. Surely anyone who had tasted the Muscadine ices could not argue that they must be enjoyed at every opportunity. “I think that is an excellent idea.”
“Thank you.” Lord Littleton’s chest appeared to grow broader, if that was even possible. “I should take you home. I’m sure your mother will expect you to be there when she returns.”
“She probably will.” Adeline hadn’t even considered that her mother would not have seen them leave the Park.
When they pulled up in front of her house, he jumped down and beat the footman—who had come running out—to her side. She caught a breath as his large hands almost encircled her waist. Warmth spread from where his hands burned through the silk twill of her carriage gown through her body. She couldn’t even breathe as he lifted her down, carefully placing her feet on the pavement. Not even her brother was as strong as Lord Littleton. Adeline had never thought of herself as petite, but he made her feel that way. As soon as he dropped his hands, she sucked in as much air as she could and gingerly placed her fingers on his arm.
After he escorted her to the door, he raised her hand, and Adeline could focus on nothing but his lips as he placed a kiss on the back of her glove. “Thank you for your company.”
Staring at her glove, she would have forgotten to curtsey if she had not practiced the movement since she had been old enough to walk. “I had a very nice time.”
“Until this evening.” He stepped back and made his way down the short walk to his carriage.
“Yes.” Although by now, he couldn’t hear her.
The door opened, and she strolled into the hall only to see a large bouquet of pink roses standing on the ormolu table.
Abney bowed. “Those are for you, my lady. Her ladyship said you may read the note.”
