by Ella Quinn
“No, Ayles.” Frits held out his arms, allowing his valet to ease on the jacket. “It is very good news.”
“Excellent, sir.” Ayles smoothed the back of the jacket.
Excellent indeed. For everyone but Anglesey. “Please tell Humphries to get Maximus ready, and inform him that he will ride with me, and send word to the stable that the horses will need to be walked for a bit. I must speak to her ladyship before we depart.”
Fifteen minutes later, Mama’s jaw snapped shut for the third time. “The blackguard! There are not words strong enough for what I am feeling. If I was a man, I would run him through with a sword, or shoot him where it would count the most. And to think of the way he has been carrying on. I had it from Annis Watford, who heard it from her daughter-in-law, that he had asked Lady Riverton to marry him. If it was not for his poor wife, I would make sure he is no longer accepted by the ton.” His mother sat down at her writing table. “You are correct, of course. We cannot take out our ire on Lady Anglesey. I shall dash off a note to his mother, informing her that she should repair to Town as soon as possible.” Mama took out a piece of pressed paper. “I do not know what she will think of him marrying a Spaniard, even though her father is a duke. She and Normanby—well, mostly Lady Normanby—made Anglesey return to England so that he could wed an English lady.” Mama dipped her pen into the standish. “At least there is an heir. That ought to make them happier about the marriage.”
This was going to be the scandal of the Season, but why she needed to be involved he didn’t know. “I think it is very likely that someone will have written her from Paris.”
“Yes, but whoever informs her of her new daughter-in-law and grandson might not know they plan to arrive in England so soon.”
Frits couldn’t argue with that. He did want to get to Lady Potter’s house without delay. The bounder needed to be kept away from Adeline. “Do you wish me to wait for you?”
“No, no.” Mama waved one hand as the other took up her pen. “You go. I shall meet you there.”
He kissed her on the cheek. “You are the best of mothers.”
She glanced at him, her eyes appearing a little moist. “I could not have asked for a better son. I am certain you will handle this disclosure properly.”
“I’ll do my best. But I’ll be hard pressed not to plant Anglesey a facer.”
“He deserves that and more,” she muttered as she turned back to her writing table. “Oh, and be careful. I hope you are taking Humphries with you in the event Maximus sees something interesting.”
“I am.” When Frits had conceived the idea of having his dog ride around with him, he had not thought of Maximus’s reaction to other animals, such as squirrels. He’d been very good about other dogs, but squirrels seemed to drive him mad. After one particular incident, he and the groom had fashioned a harness that could be attached to the carriage. “He can no longer jump out of the curricle.”
“Thank heavens for that. Now go.” His mother made a shooing motion. “I want to send this off.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
It had been several days since Maximus’s first ride in the carriage, and except for the dog’s brief attempt to greet a herd of cows—what he thought he had in common with bovines, Frits did not understand—the hour’s drive to the garden party was uneventful.
When he arrived at the house, the drive was crowded with carriages. Frits jumped to the ground and let down the steps, then waited for Humphries to let the dog out of his box.
“We’ll be a few hours at least,” Frits said to the groom. “If you’d like, you may go into town and find a tavern.”
Humphries glanced around. “It looks like there’s some tables set up near the stables. I’ll just stay here. You never know when Max will be ready to leave.”
“He’ll be fine. Lady Adeline is here, or will be shortly.”
“Ah, in that case, all is well.” Humphries scrambled onto the front bench and started the pair.
“Sarcasm does not become you,” Frits grumbled, knowing the servant hadn’t heard him and might not even understand the word. Still, the sentiment was correct. The dog was now better behaved for Adeline than he was for him. “Come along. Let’s find your lady love.”
Frits found her by instinct and the slight pulling on the lead as they made their way through the crowd of guests. The only problem was that she was strolling with Anglesey toward one of the wide woodland walks. Lengthening his stride, Frits fought to catch up with them, but every few seconds someone stopped him to comment on the dog. Fortunately, Maximus had seen Adeline and also wanted to find her.
He came up with the only excuse he could think of to get away from people. “Please excuse us. Maximus needs some privacy.”
Finally, they broke through to the paths, and Frits let the Dane lead. The trail curved around until he could hear water bubbling. Adeline and Anglesey were alone, but probably not for long. Still, she could not possibly have understood that he met to take her to such an isolated place. If they were discovered . . .
Hell!
Frits dropped the lead.
* * *
Adeline had been interested to see the fountain Lord Anglesey told her about, but she had not realized it was quite so far away from the lawn. “I think we should return.”
“It is just here.” He smiled down at her. “Just a few more steps. I’m sure we will not be the only ones there. I understand it was created in Italy of pink marble.”
A few more steps should not matter. The fountain did sound beautiful.
“See. There it is,” Lord Anglesey announced.
“Oh, my.” It was huge, with life-sized figures and water splashing. Adeline had never seen anything like it. She started to stroll around it when he stopped her, placing his hands on her waist. “My dear Lady Adeline.”
Heat lurked in his summer-blue eyes, and she knew he was about to kiss her. She tried to step back, but he held her so tightly, she couldn’t move. “We must go back.”
“We will, but first—”
Relief flooded Adeline as Maximus pushed himself between her and his lordship. The dog’s whole body wagged with joy as he leaned against Adeline, forcing her away from his lordship.
“Good afternoon, my lady.” Lord Littleton bowed. “Anglesey.”
“Littleton.” Lord Anglesey gazed over Adeline’s shoulder, and she turned her head. There was a second path on the other side of the fountain. “We are having a private conversation.”
Was he waiting for someone to join them? A trickle of fear ran down her spine. What was going on?
“Indeed.” Littleton raised his quizzing glass. “I cannot imagine what you could have to talk to her about in such a location.”
Anglesey’s eyes hardened. “That, my lord, is my business.”
Frits indicated Adeline. “I believe it also affects Lady Adeline.”
Frowning, she glanced from Anglesey to Frits. “What affects me?” She really should not have allowed herself to come here. “We should go back to the rest of the guests.”
“I was going to propose,” Anglesey ground out.
That is the reason he wanted to be alone with her, and Littleton had ruined it. Then another thought occurred to her. Why here and not at her home? “Have you spoken to my father?”
“I tried.” Anglesey clipped the words. “He did not answer me.”
“If you have not even spoken with my father”—Adeline took deep breaths as her anger increased. How could he have imagined—“What, my lord, makes you think I would accept without my parent’s approval? What sort of lady do you take me for?”
Anglesey’s gaze again strayed toward the other path. He was waiting for someone. But to what purpose?
Littleton’s fingers curled to form fists, and the sound of people talking reached her. “I believe, my lady, that if you refused his lordship, he intended to compromise you into marriage.”
For a moment, she couldn’t comprehend what he had said. “Compromise me?”
He nodded. Lord Anglesey had said he had not heard from her father, but was that a lie? “Did my father refuse you?”
“No.” A tic had developed in his jaw as Lady Riverton and Lady Holloway emerged from the second path and reached the other side of the fountain.
In a few moments, they’d be able to hear everything. Littleton was right. Lord Anglesey had planned to compromise Adeline.
Littleton put his quizzer to his eye and focused it on his lordship. “That, my lady, unfortunately, I cannot tell you.” Raising his voice, he drawled, “Especially considering he already has a wife.”
“A wife!” Lady Riverton’s outraged tones pierced the air. “You are married?”
Lady Holloway’s mouth hung open before she was able to compose herself. Then she cut a sharp look at the other lady. “You blackguard. You scoundrel.”
As the women were making their way toward Lord Anglesey, Maximus began herding Adeline away from the others. Stepping forward, Lord Littleton took her arm, coaxing her from between the combatants.
She glanced at him. “How do you know he is married?”
“I received a letter from Lady Harrington in Paris. It seems that Lady Anglesey, her son, and her parents, the Duke and Duchess of la Algaba, arrived in that city searching for her husband.”
“It’s not legal,” Lord Anglesey spat out. “The marriage is not legal.”
“Indeed?” Lord Littleton raised a brow. “The duke and duchess say you and she were wed in Madrid.”
“It was a papist ceremony.” Lord Anglesey’s eyes jumped from the other ladies to Littleton and Adeline. He shook his head, trying to convince them he was telling the truth. “It won’t be recognized here.” He focused on the two ladies. “If it had been legal, I would not have left Spain.”
Adeline could not believe what she was hearing. Neither Lady Riverton nor Lady Holloway appeared to soften toward the scoundrel, and Adeline’s rage grew. The worthless, contemptible, despicable blackguard.
Lady Riverton’s eyes narrowed to slits. “You got a gently bred lady with child.”
“A very young lady at that.” Littleton said casually. “She has just turned seventeen.”
“Seventeen, and she already has a child?” Adeline had never in her life been so shocked. The scoundrel tried to deny not only his wife, but his child as well. He should not be allowed to get away with such wickedness. But before she could lash out, Lord Littleton again calmly raised his quizzing glass and inspected Lord Anglesey as if he was a disgusting insect. “As well traveled as you are, I am amazed that you do not know that any marriage meeting the legal requirements of the country in which it is performed is legal in England.”
The blood left Lord Anglesey’s face, and for a moment Adeline thought he would faint. If he fell backward, he would hit his head on the rim of the large fountain and, strangely, that did not bother her at all. He should feel as much pain as he had caused his wife. Then she remembered what Littleton had said earlier, about the blackguard’s scheme to compromise her, and she focused on the two ladies. “My ladies, did anything particular make you decide to come out here?”
Lady Riverton lifted one shoulder. “Lady Holloway told me that Anglesey suggested we might like to view the fountain.”
Lady Holloway turned a bright shade of red. Adeline was certain she had known.
Adeline drew in a deep breath. Littleton had been right. The cur had intended to compromise her. And if the news of Anglesey’s wife and child had not reached England, she could have been made to marry him. Then what would have become of her?
Her fingers curled into fists. She had never wanted to strike anyone so badly in her life. Actually, there was no reason she should not. Making sure her thumb was on the outside of her fist, as her brother had shown her, Adeline lunged forward and struck. Something made a crunching sound, and blood spurted from Anglesey’s nose.
“Excellent flush hit.” Littleton nodded approvingly. “And you didn’t even get any blood on your glove. Very well done indeed.”
He placed the palm of his hand on her waist, and she put her fingers on his arm. “I wish to go back.”
“Certainly.” His large hand covered hers, and his warmth seeped into her. Until then, she had not realized how cold her fingers were. They also hurt a little, but it was worth it. “Ladies.” He bowed. “We shall leave his lordship to your tender mercies.”
He escorted Adeline back the way she had come. “I must thank you for saving me. I . . . I do not wish to think about what could have happened. I should never have gone off with him, but he made me think he was actually interested in . . . Suffice it to say, I know better now.”
Lord Littleton grinned. “Maximus and I would never allow any harm to come to you.”
She glanced down. The Great Dane was at her side, and she ran a hand along his back. “Then I must thank both of you.” They had reached the turn before the path opened to the lawn when he stopped. “Is something wrong?”
With one long finger he traced her jaw, causing butterflies to lodge in her chest. His lips brushed against hers once, twice, then settled briefly as his fingers stroked her cheek. “I never kissed Lady Dorie.”
Adeline had not asked the question. She was not even sure she had thought about it, but if she had, she would have assumed that he had kissed her friend. Was that not what rakes did? “You didn’t?”
One corner of his mouth tilted and brought out the dimple. “No.”
“You should not kiss me either.” Yet her words were not nearly as firm as she wanted them to be. Suddenly, she didn’t know what to think. Her mind was so focused on the feeling in her lips, she couldn’t think. What was wrong with her?
“No?” He grinned like a child who had got away with stealing sweets. “I will take you back to your mother.”
Adeline tried to summon anger for what he had done. For the kiss. But her stupid mind liked it. “Yes, that would be for the best.”
She was trying to decide the best way to forget about it when they emerged from the wood along the edge of the river and saw Lord Exeter rowing straight at the boat Dorie and Lord Fotheringale were in. “Is he mad?”
“No.” Lord Littleton pointed to another punt headed directly toward Dorie’s boat. “He’s trying to avoid a collision.”
Lord Exeter’s boat hit the bow of Dorie’s skiff and turned the boat just before the punt sailed by. “That was well done of him.”
“I agree. But I might need to help Turley stop Exeter from murdering Fotheringale.”
“What do you . . .” The boats had reached the shore, and Lord Turley was making his way toward Exeter, who was handing Dorie out of her rowboat. His lordship looked as if he really might commit murder. “I shall go to Dorie.”
Lord Littleton squeezed her hand. When had he taken it? “I didn’t tell her about the piglets either.”
So, it was not that Dorie had forgotten. Adeline smiled to herself. For some reason, that admission pleased her more than the kiss. “I know.”
He released her hand and strode off toward the crowd around Exeter. She exchanged a glance with Georgie, then they both hurried to Dorie. Yet Adeline could not help but look at Lord Littleton. Her lips still tingled. What was it he wanted from her?
She couldn’t think about it now.
* * *
After literally stopping Exeter from maiming or killing Fotheringale, Frits saw the two ladies from the fountain, but not Anglesey. If the man had any sense of self-preservation at all, he would leave Town as soon as possible.
Frits would rather have spent more time with Adeline, but after consoling Lady Dorie, Adeline had gone off with her other friend, and there was no way he was going to be able to get close to her again today.
Still, he’d kissed her. It was no more than a whisper of a kiss, but it had affected him like no other kiss ever had. And it had satisfied none of his constant lust for her. Still, it was a kiss. Adeline’s first kiss.
And Frits wanted more. And the only way to get more wa
s to marry her.
* * *
After Adeline and Georgie had seen to Dorie and ensured she had suffered no ill effects—other than being in a temper with Fotheringale—from the boating incident, they strolled over to a table laden with food.
“I think any idea Dorie has of a match with Lord Fotheringale has ended,” Georgie said as she selected bread and thin slices of ham from a platter.
“I agree. Apparently, he did not listen to her warnings at all.” Adeline decided against the ham and put equally thin slices of beef on her plate, as well as some cheese.
“I shall put that on my list of requirements.” Georgie added salad and a strawberry tart to her plate, and Adeline followed suit.
“I as well.” Her lips still tingled from Littleton’s kiss. “A gentleman should listen to a lady he wishes to wed.”
They picked up glasses of lemonade and found a bench, then Georgie said, “How did you come to be strolling with Lord Littleton?”
Adeline debated not telling her friend everything, but she had to tell someone, and she could not tell her mother or her sister-in-law. Will would be bound to discover what had occurred, and he would either challenge Anglesey to a duel or kill him outright. “He saved me from Anglesey.”
Georgie’s eyes rounded. “Indeed?”
“Anglesey meant to compromise me into marrying him.” Adeline took a sip of lemonade and swallowed. “But he is already married.” Unfortunately, Georgie had just taken a drink, and the lemonade spewed out of her mouth. “Oh, dear.” Adeline took out her handkerchief and started mopping her friend’s gown. “I should have paid more attention to what you were doing before I told you.”
“No, no. It is quite all right. The gown is yellow.” Georgie took another swallow of the drink. “He is despicable. Tell me the rest.”
Adeline related that his lordship had married a very young, gently bred lady, got her with child, and left her, thinking the marriage was not legal in England.
“What a . . . a . . . Oh, bother, I cannot think of a word horrible enough for him and his behavior. Thank God Lord Littleton found you.”