by Ella Quinn
She did not require a note to tell her they were from Lord Littleton. After what he had said, she would have been shocked if they were not. “Thank you.” Picking up the opened missive, she noted his strong hand. Fortunately, instead of writing a poem or an extravagant message the way some of the other gentlemen did, he simply wished that she would enjoy the blooms.
“Would you like them taken to your chambers?”
No! She almost shouted the word. She did not need his flowers in her bedchamber. They were too beautiful to be relegated to the drawing room, but she did not wish to think about him more than she already did. “Please put them in the morning room.”
“As you wish, my lady.”
She pulled out the hatpin from her bonnet but did not remove it. She wasn’t going to be stuck inside on such a lovely day. “I shall be in the garden, reading.”
And trying to forget about her waltz with Lord Littleton that evening.
She must begin focusing more on Lord Anglesey. It appeared as if he might be interested in her. Yet, despite his golden good looks, he didn’t affect her the way Lord Littleton did. And that was a problem she did not need. On the other hand, she had spent much more time with Lord Littleton. She would simply have to do the same with Lord Anglesey.
* * *
“Did you see them?” Annis Watford said to her friend and ally, Cristabel Littleton. As children, their families’ estates had shared a border, and the houses stood near the boundary. Their mothers had been great friends, and they had grown up together. Their mothers had attempted to arrange a match between Annis’s older brother and Cristabel, but they could not be in each other’s company without insulting each other and the idea died.
“Yes. If he has any sense at all, he’ll take her to Gunter’s. I meant to suggest it to him earlier, but I forgot.” Cristabel glanced at Annis. “You did tell me she has not been there yet?”
“She has not even had ice cream in years. I am not sure she would remember eating one. We never think about making them.” Annis focused on the carriages around them. It would not do to be behind in greeting people. “I do hope they will make a match of it. I do not remember the process being so hard when I was young.”
“Our parents arranged our matches,” Cristabel reminded her drily.
“They did, but you must give them credit. They looked to see which men attracted us and were attracted to us.” Annis still sighed when she thought of the first time she had seen William.
“You have a point.” Cristabel brought a lace-trimmed handkerchief to her eyes and dabbed. “I knew Edmund was for me the moment I saw him staring at me.”
Reaching over, Annis squeezed her friend’s hand. “I know you miss him.”
“I do.” Cristabel blew her nose. “But now it is time to see Frits married, and I agree. I think he and Adeline are perfect for each other. If only it was not for Dorie Calthorp.”
Annis waved to Lady Bellamny before asking, “What does she have to do with anything?”
Cristabel looked taken aback. “You really do not know what occurred?”
Annis shook her head. “When we’re in Town we usually only attend the political events. This is the first year I’ve been to anything but those. Even so, I have been relying a great deal on my son and daughter-in-law to chaperone Adeline.”
“Frits raised her expectations last Season, then realized at the last moment the match would not work. To make a long story short, he went home.”
“Cristabel!” For a moment, Annis was too shocked to speak. “How could he have done such a thing? Surely he knew better.”
Her friend’s lips formed a moue and she sighed. “It was not well done of him. Yet, in his defense, his attentions were not so particular that he raised the interest of the ton. Dorie is just like her mother, and it took him longer than it should have to realize that they were not meant for each other.”
“Ah, I believe I understand. The difficulty now is that Adeline met Dorie almost immediately upon arriving in Town, and they are friends.” That did make things more difficult. “My daughter is extremely loyal, but if we arrange things so that they are together more often, perhaps the attraction will become too strong for her to ignore. I do think she is, despite everything, interested in him.” Annis smiled. “The dog helps too.”
Cristabel chuckled. “Our thinking aligns. Oh”—she patted Annis’s arm—“I also spoke with Sally Huntingdon. She has always liked Frederick but never thought he was the right gentleman for Dorie. She is of the opinion that Exeter would make a much better husband for her daughter. They have more in common.”
“Now that you mention it, I can see that.” Annis grimaced. “I live in daily dread that Adeline will insist on going back to the country.”
“I am positive the only thing keeping Frits in Town is your daughter.” Shaking her head, Cristabel shrugged. “He can go years without showing his face here for more than a week or so.”
“Yet another reason we should see them wed before the Season is over. They can both return to the country and the animals.” If only Annis could find away to convince her daughter to set aside her loyalty to her friend. That, though, would not be easy to do. She and Cristabel would have to have a meeting with Sally Huntingdon. Annis had the feeling it would take the combined efforts of all the mothers to bring off this match.
* * *
Later that evening, after the second set had ended, Adeline noticed Georgie glancing down at her gown. “Is something wrong?”
“The bottom flounce is coming loose. I think one of the gentlemen caught it.” She shook her skirt and, sure enough, there was a tear. “Will you come to the retiring room with me?”
“Of course.” Early on in the Season, Adeline and her friends had decided they would go nowhere alone, especially at a ball.
She told her sister-in-law, and she and Georgie set off to find the retiring room. Once there, they glanced around. Two rooms had been put together, and there were several screens set up for more privacy.
“This is a good idea.” Adeline led her friend behind one of the screens, where they found a chair, a table with pins and other items, and the expected chamber pot. “Stand here and I will pin it together.” She sat in the chair and began to repair the skirt.
The door opened, and two ladies came in talking. After they left, all was quiet for a few moments; then a lady said, “He is quite the most handsome gentleman in Town and my mother said he is as rich as the Golden Ball and old enough to marry without his guardian’s permission. Which the Golden Ball is not.”
Adeline stopped what she was doing and whispered to Georgie, “That’s Miss Hanson.”
Georgie nodded, and placed her mouth next to Adeline’s ear. “But who is the gentleman?”
Another lady tittered. That had to be Miss Archibald. “How are you going to get Lord Littleton’s attention? He only dances with a few ladies.”
“I am not going to dance with him.” There was a pause. Adeline and Georgie exchanged a glance. “After we are betrothed I will have all his sets. I am going to write him a note. Actually, I have already written it. When we leave here I shall give it to a footman to deliver. That is when I shall need your help. Once he leaves the ballroom, you must tell my mother that you think something is wrong and bring her to the shrubbery on the right side of the terrace.”
“But how do you know he will be there?” Miss Archibald asked.
Adeline realized she was holding her breath, then as silently as possible, let it out. “I have seen the way some of the matrons look at him,” Miss Hanson said archly. “If he thinks there is a possibility of a liaison, he’ll come.”
Skirts rustled, and the door opened and closed. Adeline rose on her tip-toes to look through the carved design in the screen. The other ladies had left. She had wondered what those looks meant. She still did not know all of it, but it had something to do with being alone with a gentleman. Nevertheless, even a rake did not deserve to be trapped into marriage. “What a horrible thing to do. I have hear
d of ladies attempting to coerce gentlemen into marriage, but I thought it never really happened.” To be honest, she believed her brother had been exaggerating. “I have to warn him.”
“I agree.” Georgie’s brows rose as she glanced at her skirt. “After you finish pinning the ruffle.”
“Yes, of course.”
Two pins later, Adeline left the room with her friend.
Once they had reached the ballroom, she searched over the heads of most of the guests. Fortunately, Lord Littleton was one of the taller gentlemen. Still, it took a bit of time before she located him speaking with Lord Turley.
“I found him.” She did not have much time before the next set, and her party was on the opposite side of the ballroom from Lord Littleton. She and Georgie skirted the side of the room, not stopping to talk to anyone.
Finally, they reached the gentlemen. “Lord Littleton.”
A smile formed on his lips, and she dragged her gaze from it. “There is a lady trying to trap you into marriage. If you receive a note, do not follow its directions.” The sounds of the quartet interrupted her. “I must go back. Promise me you will remain in the ballroom.”
Confusion clouded his green eyes. “I shall.”
Georgie plucked at Adeline’s sleeve. “We will be late.”
They made it back to their circle just as their partners for the next dance arrived. Adeline smiled brightly and curtseyed. “Lord Ailesbury.”
“My lady.”
Even though Adeline loved to dance, the next three sets were interminable. All she wanted to do was to explain everything to Lord Littleton, and she could not do that until the supper dance. She almost snapped at poor Lord Bottomley, who stepped on her toes as he was trying to look at Augusta. Mooning over her would not do him a bit of good. But he did not know that. And Adeline was very tempted to leave Lord Gray alone on the dance floor when he tried to switch places in a country dance to be closer to Lady Letitia. Granted she was pretty, and her lineage was excellent, but why he was interested in such a vain and superficial female, Adeline had no idea.
Lord Anglesey had been extremely attentive, even explaining his reaction to Maximus: “My dear Lady Adeline, I did not mean to upset you this morning. I adore dogs. I believe I was simply shocked to see such a large one.” He smiled shyly. “My mother had pugs, and my father had hunting dogs, but they are both much smaller than a Great Dane.”
She supposed that could happen. And he was being very contrite about his behavior. “I understand. They are quite large.”
“Indeed they are.” He gave her a charming smile. “They are also quite majestic. Do you not agree?”
“I do.” Maximus was magnificent. “They are very sweet.”
“Perhaps I should think of adding one to my household.” His blue eyes warmed as he gazed into hers. “But only if my future wife would like such a grand animal.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. Was he truly considering her? “Of course, the lady must be consulted.”
“You are not only lovely, but clever.” He drew her a little closer. “Have you been presented yet? My father is arranging for me to attend the Prince Regent’s levee.”
Due to her mother’s fears about the queen’s health, she had been rushed to Town to be presented in February. “I have, but my understanding is that it is much less complicated than a lady being presented.”
He inclined his head. “Everything appears to be more complicated for ladies.” That was the truth. “I do not wish to bore you about Paris, but do you know if there are salons here?”
Thank goodness Augusta had discussed her visit to a salon and told Adeline and the others about it. “Lady Thornhill holds salons that have been compared to the ones in Paris by those who have attended both.”
“Excellent.” His smile broadened. “Perhaps you will be allowed to attend and we may meet there.”
Her mother had not mentioned it, but there was no harm in asking. “Perhaps we might.”
The music ended, and Adeline curtseyed. “Thank you for the dance, my lord.”
“My lady, I do not believe I have ever enjoyed a set more.” Her cheeks heated again with the compliment. “Would you ride out with me tomorrow during the Promenade?”
“Oh, dear.” She raised her hand to her mouth. Was tomorrow free? She could not remember. “I must ask my mother. She might have something planned.”
He took her arm and began to amble back to where her circle was. “I shall send an invitation around, if that would suit?”
“Yes, thank you.” He was so very nice. She would enjoy spending more time with him.
“It is my pleasure.” His blue eyes sparkled appreciatively.
Adeline would have loved to spend more time with his lordship, but she had to get back to speak to Lord Littleton about the threat he faced, and Lord Anglesey was walking as if they had all the time in the world. Any other evening she would have been pleased that he wished to spend more time with her. Unfortunately, now was not the time. She hastened her steps.
Chapter Thirteen
Lord Anglesey remained with her, and Adeline was enjoying his company a great deal, but Lord Littleton would be here soon, and neither man behaved well around the other.
Unfortunately, his lordship had not yet taken his leave when Lord Littleton appeared before her and bowed. “Lady Adeline.”
Lord Anglesey stiffened and his face became a mask. “Littleton, good evening.”
“A good evening to you.” He glanced around. “Should you not find your next dance partner?”
Oh, dear. Not this again. She held out her hand to Lord Anglesey. “I very much enjoyed our dance.”
“My lady.” He bowed. “I shall see you soon.” Before she could respond, he stalked off.
Well, drat. Still, he could not very well remain when she had to speak with Lord Littleton. She glanced up at his lordship. “I have to tell you—” Perhaps she could take him off to the side and talk with him before the set began.
“But not quite yet.” His voice was gentle as he placed her hand on his arm as if nothing of note was happening. “As long as I am in the ballroom, I am safe, am I not?”
“Yes.” That much was true. Her heart was beating a tattoo, stealing her breath.
She wanted to ask him if he had received the missive, but she realized there were too many people around them. He had been right to stop her from talking. In fact, this ball was much too crowded.
“In that case, we shall dance.” He placed his hands on her waist, and she set hers on his shoulders.
She gave a tight nod. “Yes.”
The whole incident had offended her sense of justice, and the few times she saw Miss Hanson, it was all Adeline could do not to berate the female. Yet it was easier than she had thought it would be to allow herself to relax and follow Lord Littleton’s lead. He was quite the best dancer she had been with all evening. Sadly, even Lord Anglesey was not as graceful. Adeline never feared he would step on her feet, or allow his attention to be distracted by another lady. By the end of the set, she had calmed down considerably.
He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm as they strolled off the dance floor to an alcove with a bust of Diana, the goddess of the hunt, in it. The rest of the guests were making their way to the supper room, thus they were unlikely to be overheard.
He stopped a footman and procured two glasses of champagne. “Take a sip of this and tell me exactly what occurred.”
“Thank you for the champagne.” Adeline did not know how he could be so calm. She would not have been. Then again, she had never seen him become upset. This incident had certainly angered her. But perhaps this type of thing had happened to him before. According to her mother, he was the most eligible gentleman in Town. What did not make sense to her was why Miss Hanson was trying to trap him into marriage. She was a beautiful young lady. Far more beautiful than Adeline, and, if gossip was to be believed, she was wealthy. Not only that, but her mother was very well connected. Perhaps the lady wished the d
istinction of marrying a gentleman so many other ladies seemed to want. Nevertheless, it was a dastardly way to go about it.
She took another sip of wine. “I do not know how you can be so calm.”
“I have found that allowing myself to be overwrought doesn’t do anyone any good, particularly me.”
As Frits had wanted her to do, Adeline smiled.
Before their dance, he could see that she was becoming more and more agitated. He didn’t think anyone else noticed, but he was coming to know her, and not much upset her calm good nature.
Except him, of course.
He hoped that was because she was starting to like him and did not want to because of what he’d done last Season. But then there was Anglesey, and she was smiling much too much when she was with the man.
“Tell me what exactly happened,” he prompted.
He drank in the sight of her, the way her brow puckered. The way her slender throat moved with the motion of swallowing. He wished he could press his lips to her throat and feel her pulse. He wanted to see what color her nipples were as he—
This had to stop.
The next thing he knew, he’d be throwing her over his shoulder and striding out with her. Frits was sure one of his ancestors had done just that. He also remembered that his forefather had received a black eye from the lady for his presumption. It had still been bruised when they wed. Or so the story went. Whichever great-grandsire he was had succeeded faster than Frits was.
Holding the glass, she twisted it in her hands. “I was helping Miss Featherton pin one of her flounces. It had torn. We were behind a screen, and two ladies entered the room . . .”
When she mentioned the name of the lady attempting to trap him, a Miss Hanson, Frits could not place her. He wondered if he’d even met her. “What does she look like?”
“Very pretty, with rich chestnut hair and creamy skin. She has blue eyes.” Adeline must have realized that he didn’t know who she was talking about and added, “She is wearing a pale blue gown with silver netting.”
Still nothing. He shook his head. He did not even remember seeing her this evening. “I am positive I have never been introduced to her.”
