by Ella Quinn
He was pleased with her obvious breeding. Her curtsey was graceful and she performed the waltz credibly well, with no blushing missishness. Unlike many of the young ladies around them, whose faces were red.
At first, he thought to entertain her with stories of his journey, but it soon became obvious that she was not interested in his Grand Tour. That more than surprised him. This plain little sparrow would take more convincing than he’d thought.
“Are you enjoying your Season?” After all, what else could one discuss with a lady just out?
Her wide, gray eyes met his and showed more interest. “So far it has been fine. As you know, it has just begun.”
“But you must like London, particularly the shopping?” In his experience, all ladies loved shopping.
“Of course, but one can only purchase so many fripperies. Do you enjoy being in Town?”
It was better than being in the country. Yet he wanted to know if she liked the country as well. She’d be spending most of her time there, and posed his question to elicit the required answer. “I do enjoy it during the Season.”
“Yes, I think that is how I shall feel. It has its place.” He held her hands high as they turned.
“Do you like the country better?”
“At this point I do. However, as I said, the Season has just begun. Which county do you call home?”
“North Yorkshire, near the North Sea. My father is the Marquis of Normanby.” That was an idiotic thing to say. She would have been made to study the peerage, and it made Crispin sound as if he was boasting.
“Indeed.” She did not appear to be particularly impressed. But then, her father was also a peer. “It must be cold in the winter.”
Ah, that was the problem. He couldn’t blame her. Winter on the North Sea could be damnably icy. “When Yorkshire is too cold, we have an estate in Cornwall.”
A smile curved her lips. “That must be a great deal warmer. I have heard plants from the tropics can grow there.”
Never having been interested in agriculture, Crispin had absolutely no idea. “I believe you are correct. The weather is a good deal milder.”
At the end of the set, he escorted her back to her circle, where her sister-in-law, Lady Wivenly, eyed him critically. He wondered if there was something amiss with his appearance, but that could not be possible. His valet would never have let him leave the house if he hadn’t been perfectly turned out. It must be her way of inspecting all the gentlemen with whom Lady Adeline stood up.
He bowed over her hand. “I trust I shall see you soon, my lady.”
“I look forward to it, my lord.” She smiled as she curtseyed.
As he strolled away, Crispin kept his smirk to himself. After he’d corrected his misstep, their first meeting had gone exactly as he’d wished. He initially intended to find Sarah, but decided against it. He didn’t wish to arouse suspicions by spending too much time in public with her. Instead, he went to a group of older matrons. If he was to continue to pursue Lady Adeline, he must first receive cards for other entertainments.
* * *
By early the next afternoon, Adeline was amazed at how many bouquets decorated the drawing room. Once she had got over her initial fear, Almack’s had not been at all bad.
Although Lord Littleton had sent a lovely bouquet of pink roses with a card expressing a wish to dance with her again, she could have done without her dance with him in the first place. Not because he was boring, but because of the way he had hurt her friend. He had done nothing to dispel her notion he was a rake.
Adeline had greatly enjoyed her waltz with Lord Anglesey after he had ceased prosing on and on about his Grand Tour. And he was a better prospect. He was almost as handsome as Lord Littleton and not a rake. After all, Dorie told them all what a stickler Mrs. Drummond-Burrell was; therefore, it stood to reason that she would not recommend Adeline dance with a rake. He too had sent a nice posy of flowers. Lord Lancelot sent a poem, but as he’d spent most of his time staring at Augusta, Adeline did not think anything of it. He probably wrote them to all the ladies. Her brother had called him a wet-behind-the-ears puppy, and the other gentlemen in their group agreed. Still, she had flowers from several other gentlemen she had danced with as well, many of whom she would see again at Augusta’s come out ball.
Eugénie strolled into the room, surveyed the blooms, and smiled. “As I knew it would be. You are a success.” Then she glanced at the clock. “But you must change. Today is your mother’s at-home.”
Oh, dear. Adeline had completely forgotten. Both she and her sister-in-law were expected to be there for the entire time, and she would be the one to serve tea. The at-homes in the country were rather dull, but she was interested in seeing which ladies would come today. “Tell her I shall be down directly.”
Adeline arrived back in the front drawing room just as the butler opened the door to their first visitors. Henrietta and her sister, the Marchioness of Merton, were announced.
“Have you recovered from Almack’s?” Henrietta took a seat on the sofa opposite Adeline.
“I feel as if I was nervous about nothing.” She handed her friend and her ladyship cups of tea. They had spent enough time together that she knew how they took it.
“The first time is always the worst,” Lady Merton commented. “At least, that is what I thought.”
This was Adeline’s opportunity to ask about Lord Anglesey. Her mother only remembered meeting him when he was a child. “Do you know anything about Lord Anglesey?”
Lady Merton set her cup in its saucer. “No. I asked Merton as well, but no one appears to know him. Apparently, he did not attend school.”
“That is not at all unusual.” Mama’s lips twisted into a wry smile. “Many heirs do not. Wivenly only went because his tutors never remained long.”
Eugénie chuckled. “That does not surprise me at all.”
More ladies were announced, and the teapot was replenished several times. Adeline’s other friends and their mothers or sisters—except Augusta, whose ball was that evening—visited, as well as other ladies, including Lady Jersey.
Adeline was impressed that none of the ladies, even their friends, remained for longer than fifteen minutes. Toward the end of the second hour, three other young ladies arrived with their mothers. Then the knocker was plied, and Lady Littleton and Lord Littleton were announced.
Adeline could not believe he had come. Glancing at the delicate chair that was the only place to sit, he grimaced, then propped himself up next to the fireplace while his mother took the chair near Mama.
Mama reached out and took Lady Littleton’s hand. “Cristabel, I am so pleased to see you in Town.”
Her ladyship squeezed Mama’s hand. “My wardrobe needed refurbishing. We have a local modiste, but as good as she may be, no one can deny that the fashions in Town are more elegant.”
“I heartily agree with you.” Mama smiled. “I believe it has to do with the quality of the fabric.”
“My lady, how do you and his lordship take your tea?” Adeline asked before her mother and Lady Littleton could settle in for a comfortable coze.
“We both like two sugars and a generous helping of milk.” He straightened and came over to Adeline. She served his mother, but as she handed him a cup, their fingers brushed, and that strange awareness occurred again. It couldn’t be an electrical shock. It was also odd that she did not feel it with the other gentlemen. “Thank you.” He took a sip. “This is perfect.”
“Annis,” Lady Littleton said, “what is your blend? It is excellent.”
Mama glanced at Adeline. “You must ask my daughter to write it down for you. It is one of her own making.”
Adeline could not help but be pleased with the compliment. She had tried several different blends before settling on this one. “It is nothing complicated. I simply mix Ceylon with a lesser amount of Darjeeling and add a small bit of grated dried orange peel. I will be happy to send you a packet.”
“Thank you. I will gladly accept the gift.”
Her ladyship took another sip.
The other ladies were standing to depart when Lord Littleton set down his empty cup. “Lady Adeline, if you are free, I would like to take you for a carriage ride this afternoon.”
Miss Tice and Miss Martindale’s jaws dropped, and Miss Emerson’s eyes rounded.
Drat the man for posing his invitation now, in front of all these ladies. He knew Adeline could not refuse. She kept her tone even and polite when she would rather have boxed his ears. “That sounds lovely.”
“I shall see you at five.” He held his hand out to his mother as she rose. “Lady Watford, thank you. It was lovely. I agree with my mother that the tea was excellent.” He gave a short bow to the others. “Ladies.” And escorted his mother out of the room.
“He is soooo very handsome,” Miss Martindale gushed. “I hope he comes to our at-home.”
Miss Tice clasped her hands at her breast. “I wonder if he has an eligible friend who lives near his estate.”
Adeline fought not to roll her eyes as their mothers smiled indulgently. The ladies should not be encouraged to behave thuswise.
Lady Emerson rose. “Lady Adeline, I agree with Lady Littleton about the tea. If you could see your way to sending me a packet, I would be grateful.”
“Mrs. Tice and I would love a packet as well,” Mrs. Martindale said.
“Of course.” Adeline was thankful that the discussion about Lord Littleton had ended, and extremely pleased to find her tea so well received. “I will have the tea sent to you by the end of the day.”
The at-home hours were finished; now the only thing she had to do was suffer through the carriage ride with Lord Littleton. If only she knew more about rakes. Having one for a brother was not much of a help. He never displayed his tendencies around her. But—she glanced at her sister-in-law—there was someone who could answer her questions, and Mama had already left the drawing room, so Eugénie was free to speak.
“Eugénie?” Adeline said before she could leave as well.
Her sister-in-law glanced at her. “Oui?”
She bit down on her lip. “I have some questions about men.”
“Ah, oui. But you must know that I am not an expert on the subject. I only know who I should avoid.” Eugénie sank down onto the sofa.
“You know more than I do,” Adeline grumbled. “And you married Will.”
“That is true.” Her sister-in-law studied her long enough to make her want to fidget. “What is it that you wish to know?”
She clasped her hand in her lap. “How do I avoid a rake?”
Eugénie let out a low stream of light laughter. “Ma petite, if I knew the answer to that, I would not be married. Oui?”
Adeline frowned. “I do not understand.”
“I had no interest at all in marriage when we met. I only wanted to save those who were enslaved and take them to freedom. I had no time for gentlemen. Mais, when a rake decides to wed one, it is very difficult to change his mind.” Her sister-in-law’s smile was a bit misty. “I set many tasks for your brother, but the greatest one was that he must love me and be faithful.”
Tasks? That was the first time Adeline had heard about that. What kinds of tasks? “Why do I have the feeling that there was more to your courtship and marriage than we were told?”
A wicked grin dawned on Eugénie face. “Because there is. Much more.”
“Is that the reason he is now involved in the work you do to free the slaves in St. Thomas?”
“Oui. In part.” Her smile told her Adeline would learn nothing new.
Not that she was in danger of falling in love with a rake. But more information was always helpful, and she decided to acquire as much knowledge as she could. “He ran away from eligible young ladies for years. Why did he wish to wed you?”
“That is part of a much longer story.” Eugénie raised a brow. “One I shall not tell you. But when he decided he wanted to marry me, he was very determined. I can only tell you that if a rake falls in love with you, you will know it. He will be impossible to avoid.”
That was not much help. “But I do not wish to wed a gentleman like my brother. He is too difficult.”
“Yes, Will can be a bit troublesome at times. Especially when he decides I should not do a thing I wish to do. But me, I like a challenge. Toutefois, they are not all the same. Huntley was a rake before he married, and you know how different he is from Will.”
“I suppose you are correct.” Even though he and her brother had been friends for years, they were like night and day. Adeline had not even thought about him being a rake. Yet her sister-in-law had given her an idea. Perhaps she should become more involved in Will and Eugénie’s cause. It would give Adeline something to do other than worry about marriage.
Eugénie reached out and placed her hand over Adeline’s. “Do not worry yet. Moi, I will keep a watch and send your brother after any man of whom I do not approve.”
The only problem was that even her mother had no objection to Lord Littleton. Would Mama even care that he had hurt her friend? Whatever had occurred, no one was talking about it. In fact, his name was only mentioned as being the most eligible gentleman in Town. It would be up to her to discourage him. “Thank you.”
“C’est mon plaisir.” Her sister-in-law rose. “I must go home. I will see you this evening.”
“Until later.” The conversation had not been as informative as she had wished. Yet she couldn’t fault her sister-in-law for not having much information about gentlemen. Poor Eugénie had not even had a come out. By the time she had reached England, she was married and pregnant.
Adeline walked slowly to her bedchamber, trying to decide what to wear for her carriage ride. She had a very pretty new carriage gown. Not that she wanted to encourage Lord Littleton, but she might see Lord Anglesey. The next time she spoke with him, she would attempt to discover how much he actually liked the country. She wished he had visited today as well. Then she wondered if he had been invited to the Duchess of Rothwell’s ball, but decided he probably had not. The invitations had been sent out before the Season officially began, and Augusta’s sister had no reason to know him or that he would be in England. Still, he was certain to be invited to other balls, and Adeline would see him at Almack’s. Yet, just in case he was in the Park, she would wear her new gown.
Chapter Five
“So.” They had just arrived home, and Frits’s mother had turned for him to remove her mantle. “You are interested in Lady Adeline?”
Considering the spectacle he’d made of himself, he couldn’t very well deny it. “I think I am. Or rather I am, but I must discover more about her.” He took his mother’s mantle and handed it to his butler, Creswell. “The problem is that she is a friend of Lady Dorie’s.”
“Ah. She is the one you mentioned.” Mama frowned. “That is a difficulty.”
“I am fortunate that I’m still received.” Frits handed his hat and cane to Creswell as well.
“Oh, my dear boy.” She lifted her skirts to climb the stairs. “Fortune had nothing to do with it. I received a letter mentioning you had left Town without notice. I immediately wrote back that there was an emergency at one or more of your estates in the north and you would be unlikely to return before the Season was finished.” They reached the first floor. “I even wrote Lady Dorie’s mother, and received a very nice missive in return, stating that she was glad to see you were such a diligent landlord. I must trust you will be more careful this Season. Decide what you want in a wife before you are swayed by a pretty face.”
That was something he’d already discovered. Not that he wasn’t being swayed by Adeline’s lovely face. But he couldn’t blame his mother for mentioning it. “I have been thinking. Whichever lady I settle on, would you be willing to plan a ball or some other entertainments, such as a theater party, or an outing to Vauxhall?”
“Naturally.” Mama grinned. “I shall do all within my power to help you to the altar.”
Frits wasn’t fond of the way she
had put it, but he did have to marry, and he was ready. And he needed help. “Thank you.”
“That is what a mother is for.” She reached up and patted his cheek. “Now, you must start dressing for your carriage ride, and I must rest.”
He didn’t know what she thought he should wear other than what he was already wearing. Instead of going to his bedchamber, he made his way to his study. He had a letter to write to Elizabeth Harrington concerning Lord Anglesey. Frits didn’t know what he hoped to discover, but he didn’t like the man sniffing around Lady Adeline. At first he thought it was that his lordship was such a puppy, much like Lord Lancelot. But now he believed it was more. There was an air of debauchery about Anglesey that bothered Frits. He wished there was something he could point to that would keep Wivenly from allowing the man near his sister.
Damn.
Frits groaned. There he went again. He had to make himself slow down until he knew that he and she wanted the same things out of life and marriage. Yet, when he’d looked into her eyes that day, he could have sworn he had finally found the right lady for him.
He gave himself a shake. With any luck at all, he’d know by the end of the day how she felt about several issues. In fact, he should discover as much as he could about her before he began finding ways around her barriers.
Frits took a piece of pressed paper from the stack on the corner of his desk, leaned back, and tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair, trying to decide if he should tell Elizabeth why he wanted to know about Anglesey, or if she would deduce the reason for his questions. Frits’s father always told him never to put in writing anything that you did not want to be made public, and he certainly didn’t want anyone else to know about his reasons for asking for the information.
Naturally, Elizabeth Harrington was discreet. She made a perfect diplomat’s wife. But he’d always had the impression that her husband was not as restrained as she was, and he had no doubt she would show his letter to Harrington.
My dear Lady Harrington,
I hope this missive finds you and your family in good health. I trust that you have received a letter from Turley advising you that I would be writing, and that you are able to provide me the information I seek on Lord Anglesey, the heir to Lord Normanby. Turley said that he met him at an embassy event when he was last in Paris. As no one here seems to know anything about Anglesey, I am hoping you can tell me something about his character and trustworthiness. No one here seems to have even met the gentleman before.