by Ella Quinn
“What did you discuss?” Adeline and Littleton always found things in common to talk about.
“Not pigs!” Dorie smiled. “We did not discuss much at all. Thinking back on it, I did most of the talking. At the time, I thought it was charming that he wanted to listen to what I had to say. Now, I have the idea that he did not speak much because what I was discussing was not what interested him.” She picked up her cup and took a sip. “Then one day he was gone. A few days later, my mother received a letter from his mother saying there was an urgent problem at one of the estates. Naturally, I could not write to him, nor could he write to me. And for a while I thought he would return to Town, but he did not. Not even for the autumn Season.” She glanced at Adeline. “That was when I was certain he had not left Town, he had left me, and it hurt.”
That had not been well done of Littleton. “He was a coward.”
“I suppose one could say that. I recently mentioned it to my brother, and he said he would have acted in the same manner. Of course, you see, my expectations had been raised. Still, we all know how miserable Kitty Pakenham was for accepting Wellington when he proposed only because he had raised her expectations and not because he cared for her. Truthfully, I would not have believed or accepted it if he had told me he thought marrying me would be a mistake. I can see that now.” She shrugged. “He did not even kiss me. For which, I suppose, I should be grateful. Although it made me sad at the time.”
Adeline slowly let out the breath she had been holding. He had been telling the truth. “If it means anything, I do not think you would have been happy together.”
“No. It is the whole thing about pigs.” Dorie took Adeline’s hands and squeezed them. “I do think that you and he might be perfect for each other. I have also recently learned that one should not ignore one’s feelings about a gentleman. Your heart is your true guide. Trust it.”
That was what she needed to hear. Not only to trust her heart, but that Dorie no longer thought Littleton had deliberately hurt her. “Thank you.”
Tears filled Dorie’s eyes. “One of us should be happy. I believe I have missed my chance.”
Adeline wanted to tell Dorie that things between Miss Chatham and Lord Exeter were not as they appeared, but Adeline did not know the details and could not raise her friend’s hopes to have them crushed again. “I have heard it said that things work out the way they are supposed to.”
“Yes. I have heard that as well.” Dorie’s tone held a sorrow that tugged at Adeline’s heart.
She wished she could help, but did not know how. Perhaps Littleton would have an idea. If not, Georgie was sure to have something sage to say. She always did. “I shall see you this afternoon.”
“I am looking forward to shopping. It always makes me feel better.” Dorie and Adeline rose and made their way to the hall.
“You will be at my ball this evening?” Adeline asked.
“Of course. I would not miss it for the world.” Dorie bade her adieu, and Adeline collected her footman.
She looked forward to seeing Littleton again. She had been right to wait until she’d spoken with her friend, but now it was time to move ahead to whatever the future brought. Yet, with his reputation, she still needed to be careful. She would not allow him to break her heart.
* * *
Later that evening, as Adeline sat before the mirror, a sense of excitement infused her. She was dressed for her come out ball. She had not expected to be enthusiastic about the event. And she had expected the pale, peach-colored gown to look insipid. Instead, it made her skin glow. The necklace and earrings her mother had given her—delicate, figured gold with drops of turquoise—provided a vivid contrast. “I actually look pretty.”
Fendall cast her gaze to the ceiling. “That’s because you are pretty, my lady. And your type of looks won’t fade when you get older.” She placed a spangled shawl on Adeline’s shoulders. “It’s time for you to go down.”
Rising from the bench, she donned her gloves and picked up her reticule. The worst part would be the receiving line. After that, she could forget it was her ball and enjoy herself. Once again, Littleton had the supper dance. She would spend the time assessing him as a potential husband.
She joined her parents, brother, and sister-in-law in the drawing room for a glass of champagne before they took their places in the receiving line.
Papa kissed her cheek. “You look lovely.”
She returned the kiss. “Thank you. I feel as if I look well.”
Mama was next to the windows, speaking with Will and Eugénie. They turned to greet her.
“I do not know what it is about this evening,” Eugénie said. “But there is something in the air.”
“It’s hot.” Her brother’s bored drawl had her shaking her head.
“Non. It is more than that.” She lifted her head, as if she had caught a scent. “But you are correct. I very much enjoy the heat. It feels like St. Thomas in summer.”
Abney entered the parlor. “My lord, my lady, the first carriage has arrived.”
“Come along,” Mama urged them out of the room. “We must take our places.”
Even though this was the first time Adeline had stood in a receiving line, it all went as she expected it would. After all, she had been through enough of them on the other side. The greetings and responses were exactly the same as they always were. Then Littleton’s head rose above the others in front of him, and he caught her eye and smiled. As he drew closer, she could admire his beautifully tied cravat and the emerald pin nestled in the folds. His black jacket molded his shoulders, which seemed even broader than before. One lock of ink-black hair fell across his forehead, making her want to wrap the curl around her finger. As his smile grew, the dimple deepened, giving the strong planes of his lean face a gentler look. Even as he greeted her family, he seemed to keep her in his gaze. Perhaps Eugénie was right and there was something in the air.
“Good evening, my lord.”
As Frits went through the receiving line, his jaw almost dropped when he saw Adeline. She was always beautiful, but tonight, she glowed. When he got a better look at her gown, his mouth began to water, and his cock stiffened. If it wasn’t for the blond lace at her neckline, and the way her bodice winked in the candlelight, he would have sworn she was half naked. The gown was almost the same color as her luminous skin, albeit embroidered with small flowers and vines. Whose idea was it to let her out like this? He gave himself an inner shake and blinked.
Not naked—although he could envision her thusly—but extraordinarily enticing. That gown was made for slowly peeling off her.
It was all he could do not to stop himself from taking her arm and carrying her out of the house. He did have her father’s permission to marry her. “Lady Adeline.” Frits bowed over her hand, barely touching his lips to her fingers, yet he could feel her reaction to him. He pitched his voice in a low whisper. “I cannot wait until our dance.”
Gazing up at him, she searched his eyes, as if looking for understanding. “I look forward to it as well.”
Something sharp poked him in the side. “Move along, Littleton.” Lady Bellamny held her cane. “You are holding up the line.”
The silver flecks in Adeline’s eyes sparked as she chuckled.
So much for that. “Yes, my lady.”
He reached the ballroom and saw Turner, who’d joined Fitzwalter and Frits for dinner, and had taken Fitzwalter with him to the ball. Next to them were Miss Martindale and Miss Tice. Frits hoped the meeting Fitzwalter was to have with her father before the ball had gone well. Avoiding the other guests, he made his way along the side of the ballroom and joined Turley.
“Littleton, good evening.” He lifted his hand, and a footman appeared with champagne.
“Good evening to you.” Frits took a glass.
Exeter joined them. “Can I ask both of you to stand up with Miss Chatham again this evening?”
“Of course,” Turley replied.
Frits nodded his agr
eement. “When do you expect Dursley back?”
“He’ll be here tonight. Not a word to anyone. It’s to be a surprise for Miss Chatham.”
“And Lytton as well, I imagine,” Turley muttered.
Exeter grinned. “A very unwelcome surprise for his lordship.”
“Something tells me this will be a momentous ball.” Frits followed Adeline’s progress down the stairs into the room. Thank God this farce would end tonight. “I’m going to join Lady Adeline and her family. Do you wish to join me?”
Turley shook his head. “I’m waiting for someone to arrive.”
“Very well. I shall see you later.” Frits threaded his way through the crowded room to where Miss Chatham stood and asked her for a set, then made his way to Adeline. As soon as Exeter had made his feelings known to Lady Dorie, Frits intended to ask Adeline to allow him to court her. Mentioning marriage would only scare her. But first, she had to see that her friend was making a much better match than she would have with him. As his mother had pointed out, and he concurred, it was growing increasingly clear that Lady Dorie was as much in love with Exeter as he was with her. After she was settled, perhaps, Adeline would forgive Frits for hurting her friend and allow herself to know him even better. Frits already knew exactly how and in which ways he wanted to better know Adeline. She was temptation personified.
“My lady.” He bowed and, after kissing her fingers, placed her hand on his arm.
“My lord.” She raised one brow. “Are you still hiding from some lady or another?”
Every single one of them except for her. “One can never be too careful.”
The orchestra finished tuning their instruments, and Wivenly stepped over to them. “Adeline, my dance, I believe?”
She grinned. “Yes, it is.”
She placed her hand on his arm, and Frits felt as if he’d lost part of himself. If only events had fallen in line for Exeter to have secured Dorie sooner, so that Frits could have properly courted Adeline, been betrothed to her, and had all her dances.
He glanced around the room. Exeter stood next to Miss Chatham and her mother. Frits should have asked when exactly Dursley was going to present himself. Then again, maybe it was better if Frits didn’t know.
He’d be watching the clock slowly mark the time. Adeline was the only other lady with whom he would dance this evening. Not that he usually stood up with other ladies. It was also growing increasingly difficult to see her go off with other gentlemen. If the Fates were kind, much of that would soon change.
Frits was leading Miss Chatham out for their set when Lady Dorie and Fotheringale strolled through the French doors, followed shortly thereafter by Exeter. There was only one reason Frits could think of for Fotheringale to want to go outside with her. The man was going to propose. Leave it to a dunderhead like that to make a mull of their plans. No wonder Exeter was making haste after them.
They still had not returned by the time the set ended, and Frits was back with Adeline. Fotheringale strode back into the ballroom in a dudgeon.
“What is Lord Fotheringale doing?” Adeline asked.
“It appears as if he is departing.” That was promising.
“Without taking his leave of my mother?” Her brows slanted down into a frown.
Frits grinned. Fotheringale was going to hear about his behavior. “Apparently so.”
“Well.” Adeline had not thought the man could be so rude. He had almost made it to the stairs when she finally caught a glimpse of his face. “He looks angry.”
Littleton continued to grin. “He does, doesn’t he?”
Something was going on. “Do you know what is happening?”
“I think he was planning to propose to Lady Dorie and—”
Exeter and Dorie had entered from the terrace. Adeline held up her hand, silencing him. “What is Dorie doing?”
Littleton moved so that he was next to Adeline instead of facing her. “Do you remember I told you that all was not as it seemed with Exeter and Miss Chatham?”
“Yes.” Adeline drew out the word, trying to make sense of everything as she answered. Dorie and Exeter stopped, and he searched the ballroom.
“You are about to find out the truth.” Littleton motioned with his chin to the steps.
Standing on the stairs, surveying the room, was a tall gentleman with blond hair who Adeline had never seen before.
The man found who he wanted, reached the main floor, and headed toward Dorie’s family. “Who is he?”
“That is Viscount Dursley. Apparently, he and Miss Chatham have an understanding.” Littleton pointed to where Dorie’s family stood, and Adeline saw Miss Chatham was next to them. “Watch.”
Many of the guests had stilled. It was like being part of a play. Lord Dursley said something to Miss Chatham, who turned and leapt into his arms, and Dorie and Exeter gazed at each other, clearly in love. It was like a fairy tale come true. “Well. That is a satisfactory conclusion.”
Littleton chuckled. “Shall we dare to leave your family’s circle and wish them happy?”
“We shall.” A deep sense of happiness welled in Adeline for her friend. Dorie had thought she’d lost Exeter. But now everything would end the way it should. “Even Wivenly cannot fault us for that.”
They started strolling the short distance, and Littleton placed his hand over hers, engulfing it. “I’m glad he finally won her. They are perfect together.”
They joined the throng just in time to hear Dorie say she would not entertain Exeter’s offer until the morning, and the accompanying laughter.
Yet there was still one matter that remained unsettled before Adeline could move forward with her life.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Adeline tugged Littleton toward a pair of long windows. “I must know something.” Or two somethings.
His gaze caught hers as he nodded. “Anything.”
Would his story differ from what his groom had told her? “What happened between you and Dorie?”
He drew his hand down his face. “She was the Incomparable, and I was dazzled. By the time I realized we were ill-suited, it was almost too late.” He glanced at Adeline’s hand on his arm. “As you know, I never kissed her. Strangely enough, I never even thought about it. That should have given me a hint that she was not the right lady for me. Nor did I ask her father for permission to marry her. Still, I knew she expected both.” He pulled a chagrined face. “I didn’t see anyway to explain how I felt. I still don’t know what I could have said. So, I left Town and went on a tour of my estates.” He twined his fingers with Adeline’s. “Is that what you wanted to know?”
Everything he’d related comported with what she had heard from both Humphries and Dorie. But she needed to know more. “Almost.”
His eyes bore into hers, more serious than she had ever seen them. “Go on.”
Adeline took a breath. She was either going to be greatly embarrassed or extremely happy. “Have you found a lady that you are sure would suit you?”
“I have.” His eyes were still on hers as he smiled. “I think you and I are well matched. So much so that I spoke to your father this morning.”
Her heart began pounding so hard, she was surprised he did not hear it. “You did?”
“I did.” He raised her hand to his lips. “I asked him if I could court you, and he said that was up to you.” Turning her hand over, he pressed a kiss onto her palm. If he kept this up, her heart was going to fly out of her chest. He truly was a rake. “I shall warn you, I’ll do almost anything to keep you next to me.”
The look on his face when she had said that he no longer needed her finally made sense. “Even find imaginary ladies who wish to trick you into marriage?”
“Well, the ladies existed. Their intent toward me might not have been what I thought, but I still think I need you to protect me.”
“Hmm.” His gaze slipped to her lips, causing hers to tingle. Their one kiss had been a mere taste. “I suppose I could do that.”
“
Will you allow me to court you?” His voice was lower, more seductive. How much of himself had he been holding back?
Adeline was excited and terrified at the same time. She raised her eyes to his. “Yes, but only if you are certain.”
“There are no mistakes this time.” His green, green eyes held a promise in them. “When I return home, I want you by my side.”
Adeline couldn’t draw a breath. This sounded like a proposal instead of a request to court her. She wasn’t ready for that.
“I’m moving too quickly.” He gave her a sheepish smile. “Just allow me to court you. For now.”
Now her voice left her, and she couldn’t speak and had to nod. She had thought she’d known him, but did she truly?
His smile broadened. “I’d like you to call me Frits. That’s what my family calls me.”
She took a huge breath and let it out. “You may call me Adeline.”
“Thank you, Adeline.” For the first time since he . . . Frits had started to speak when she heard the music, and she glanced around him. “I thought I had a partner for this set.”
“Whoever he was probably did not wish to interrupt.” There was a definite smirk on his lips.
She really should not think about his lips if she was not certain she could marry him. She could not kiss him. It certainly didn’t help that he was staring at her lips as if they were akin to Gunter’s ices.
Adeline cleared her suddenly thick throat. “What does courting entail?”
“More of what we’ve been doing. You might consider allowing me to walk with you and Maximus in the mornings.” This last part was said so innocently that no one listening to it would think he was asking permission to walk his own dog.
“I believe that can be arranged.” She narrowed her eyes slightly. “If you can rise that early. Humphries told me you did not waken until later.”
“Apparently”—Frits’s tone was as dry as sand—“he doesn’t know that ever since you started walking Maximus, I have not been able to sleep to my usual time.”
