The Most Eligible Lord in London

by Ella Quinn

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Once Lettsome left, Frits went back to his study and wrote a short note to Adeline’s brother with the address. He was sanding it when he decided to go himself. One never knew if he could be of help.

  When he arrived at North Audley Street, he was pleased to see Adeline was still there. He bowed to her and her sister-in-law. “The address is in the City. Now what do we do?”

  “We don’t do anything.” Wivenly grinned and held up a hand when Frits started to protest. “I know you want to be part of this, but you’ve been seen and would be recognized. Adeline said the woman was a lady’s maid for the daughter. I’ll send a few of my servants, and they’ll be able to find out when and how best to convince her to go with them.”

  “You must understand how valuable slaves are to the owners in the West Indies,” Lady Wivenly said. “The English are not allowed to purchase more, so they try to work with the Danish to smuggle them in. They are frequently caught.”

  Frits and Adeline exchanged glances. It was clear that neither of them had thought past saving the child from certain harm. The blackguards had his name and direction, but at least they didn’t have hers. “In other words, he’ll do almost anything to get the boy back.”

  “Exactement. They are convinced they will be bankrupted without slaves.” A line formed between her eyes. “Not only that, but by taking the child, you have threatened their lives. If it were to be known they were keeping slaves in England, he could be prosecuted and lose his status.”

  This was much more complicated than Frits had thought. Thank God Lettsome didn’t know Adeline’s name. “He’ll expect the lad to be returned by tomorrow.”

  “My servants will go this afternoon,” Wivenly assured Frits. “Just like Polite Society, wealthy merchants have their own Season for their daughters and sons.”

  “We have a ball this evening,” Adeline added.

  Frits would be happy to stay here until they found the mother. He wondered if Adeline would remain.

  “Which we shall attend,” Lady Wivenly said, killing his budding idea to spend time with Adeline and not the rest of Polite Society as well. “It is possible that someone will watch to see if you go out.” Her ladyship’s chin firmed, as if she expected an objection.

  So much for that. “Would they have followed me here?”

  Wivenly shook his head. “I doubt it. If you had been followed, someone on my staff would have alerted us. They are very aware of the dangers.”

  What he wanted would be tantamount to a proposal; still Frits glanced at Adeline. “May I have three dances this evening?”

  Her beautiful smile made it hard to breathe, and he knew she held his heart in her hands. “You may, my lord.”

  How much longer would it be before he could propose and have all her sets? “Shall I take you home, or is it better that your brother sees to it?”

  “My wife and I will make sure she arrives home safely,” Wivenly stated.

  “You may join us for dinner if you like.” Taking Adeline home was something Will had insisted upon after Frits had gone. Her brother did not want them seen together before they could get Peter and his mother to safety. Frits being invited to dinner was the price Will had to pay.

  Frits’s smile warmed her and sent the butterflies in her stomach flitting around. He had been a perfect hero today. Her perfect hero. “I am honored. Let me dash a note off to inform my mother.”

  Her brother rang the bellpull. “I’ll send a groom with the note. There’s no reason for anyone to see my livery.”

  “In that case, have him take it to the stables.” Frits glanced down and frowned. “I’ll have to return home to change before the ball.”

  Will stared at Frits and shook his head. “I wish I could say we are of a size, but you’re larger than I. Ask to have your kit sent here. My valet will assist you.”

  When they were notified that Frits’s clothing had arrived, they all went to dress. An hour later, they were back in the drawing room.

  “What will happen when the mother is brought here?” Adeline was determined that she would not be pushed to the side when it came to the rest of the plan.

  “That will depend upon the circumstances. There may be more family members than the boy and his mother.” Eugénie gave Adeline a long, speculative look. “You wish to help, do you not?”

  “No!” Leaning forward, Will had barked the word.

  Her sister-in-law raised one imperious brow. “Adeline has earned the right, and we will be present to see that she does not come to harm.”

  He didn’t look satisfied, but inclined his head sharply.

  “I want to assist as well.” Frits glanced back and forth from her sister-in-law to her brother. “I must see this through.”

  Even though Adeline never doubted he would continue on the course on which they had begun earlier, she was glad he had made his wishes known.

  “At least you can protect yourself,” Will grumbled.

  That wasn’t at all fair. “Do you not remember teaching me to defend myself?”

  “That was a long time ago, and you’ve never actually had to do it,” he said dismissively.

  “Indeed.” She raised one brow in the same manner as her mother. Adeline knew because she had spent hours practicing the expression. “How do you think Lord Anglesey got his broken nose?”

  Suddenly, her brother looked as if he meant to commit murder.

  Frits groaned and covered the bottom half of his face with one hand. “You weren’t going to tell anyone about that.”

  That turned her brother’s ire on him. “You were there?”

  “I was.” Obviously, Frits was not going to say anything else.

  Well, blast. She should have kept her mouth shut. “He stopped his lordship from compromising me. But I was the one who hit the scoundrel.”

  “Who knows about this?” Eugénie poured wine for all of them.

  “Lady Riverton, Lady Holloway, and us.” Adeline pointed to Frits. “They were just as shocked as I to hear that Anglesey was already married.”

  “It’s a good thing he’s not here or I’d break more than his nose,” Will growled.

  “I think we should congratulate Adeline on hitting him.” Eugénie smiled proudly at her and raised her glass. “To a job well done.”

  “Thank you.” She grinned at her brother. “I had a thought that someone should plant him a facer, and I remembered that you had taught me how to do it, so I did.”

  Will drank down half of his wine. “Did you remember to put your thumb on the outside?”

  “Yes.” Frits’s lips were twitching, and she knew it was only a matter of time before he burst out laughing. “Although, I have to admit it did hurt, and my knuckles were bruised.” Her maid had put her hand in ice when she had returned home.

  Fortunately, before the conversation could go further, her brother’s butler announced dinner, and Eugénie steered the conversation to safer ground. “You asked what we will do next.” She waited until Will held her chair and lowered herself gracefully into it. “If it is the two of them, and we do not have to worry about other family members Lettsome might be using as weapons, I shall write to a friend of mine who is from Tortola and is a member of our group.” She placed her hand on Will’s arm. “I have had an opportunity to speak with the Duchess of Wharton, and she has expressed an interest in our cause and might be able to assist us as well.”

  They were in the smaller family dining room, which had a round table. Will sat next to her and Frits next to Adeline. She sipped the chilled white wine that had been poured. “What will she do?”

  “Aside from having a great deal of information and contacts on Tortola,” her sister-in-law smiled, “she can also help to arrange for employment and sometimes training in a new profession.”

  “Isn’t she also invested in a shipping company?” Frits asked.

  Eugénie glanced at him sharply. “That is not at all well known.”

  He shrugged. “A
ll ships must have repairs. It’s the nature of the business. I own a shipyard.”

  Good Lord! What did he not own? Adeline could not help but hear how wealthy he was. Although, she’d had no idea of the details. “Why?”

  “As I said, all ships require maintenance. Once we had the ships, it made more sense to my grandfather to buy a shipyard than to pay someone else.”

  It made sense to her as well. “And you work on other ships as well.”

  “Yes.” He smiled. “It keeps us busy when our ships are out.”

  Dessert in the form of fruit and cheese had been set on the table when the butler came into the room. “My lady, our guest has arrived. Shall I fetch Peter?”

  Eugénie held an orange in her hand. “Not yet. Has she eaten?”

  “I do not know. I shall ask, and if she has not, shall we feed her first?”

  “Yes, please. Then we shall meet her in the”—she furrowed her brow—“the small drawing room. It is more confortable.”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  Adeline had taken some strawberries and cheese, but now was not hungry.

  “You might as well finish,” Frits said. “She probably didn’t dine before coming here.”

  “Of course.” She applied herself to eating what she had taken, and waiting.

  Finally, her sister-in-law rose. “Do you gentlemen wish to remain here?”

  Frits stood, and pulled out Adeline’s chair. “I do not.”

  “You just don’t want to miss anything.” Will pushed back his chair. “We shall accompany you, my love.”

  They followed Will and Eugénie to a room next to the morning room, which Adeline had never seen before. It was decorated in light greens, blues, and creams. A flower-patterned silk covered the walls, and the same pattern was used for the curtains, that were closed. However, dozens of candles brightened the room. And, although it was not cold, a fire had been lit. It was cozy. Just the sort of place one could feel free to talk. Will poured four glasses of wine and handed one to Eugénie. Adeline had never noticed before how he always took care of his wife first.

  Frits took two glasses and handed one to Adeline. “Now we wait.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Adeline took the glass Frits proffered and swirled it before taking a sip. “I hope it is not too long.” She had heard about the rescues and settling of former slaves, but she had never been a part of the planning before. “You mentioned Lettsome might have some hold over Peter’s mother.”

  “I did,” her sister-in-law said. “If that is the case, we will find a way to rescue them as well.”

  Frits’s forehead creased. “Do you ever fail?”

  “Non.” Eugénie’s eyes met his. “We cannot afford to be unsuccessful. Fortunately, we have people living in the British West Indies who assist us.”

  “The duchess’s family?” Adeline asked. She knew Anna Wharton’s father had married a mulatto lady, and they had several grown children.

  “Among others.” Eugénie glanced at the clock. “I will wager she has seen Peter. My staff is very softhearted.”

  Just then, the door opened and the butler bowed. “My lord, my lady, Mrs. Rymer.”

  Mrs. Rymer was tall, with skin the same light brown color as her son’s. Her hair was reddish-blond and curled loosely, framing her face. She wore a snowy white mobcap and a simple black gown. She was a beautiful woman. Although she returned Eugénie’s smile, hers was tight, and her fear was palpable.

  “My lady.” Mrs. Rymer curtseyed.

  They all rose, but only Eugénie went to meet the woman. “Welcome to our home. Have you seen your son?”

  “Yes.” The woman’s smile loosened at bit. “He is having a wonderful time. He said there are children like him.”

  Children who looked like him, but were free. “Please”—Eugénie motioned to a comfortable chair—“sit and we will have tea.”

  As if the butler had just been waiting for the words to be said, he entered with the tea tray and set it down in front of Eugénie. Once everyone had a cup, there was no roundaboutation or small talk. “For whom are you afraid?”

  The question startled Adeline. She would have been—oh—more subtle, she supposed. Still, she did not understand how her sister-in-law knew the right question to ask. Then again, Eugénie had a great deal of experience dating to before she had met and married Will.

  “My husband. He is still on Tortola.” Mrs. Rymer’s hands shook as she set her cup down. “Before we left, I was told that if I tried to escape with Peter, he would no longer be allowed to work as a shipwright, but would be sent back to the fields.”

  She obviously knew that once she and her son reached England they were free and only that threat would keep her enslaved.

  Eugénie’s lips formed a moue. “What if we brought him here?”

  The woman’s amber eyes widened. “But can you do that without Mr. Lettsome discovering it?”

  “Indeed we can.” Eugénie took a sip of tea. “We have done it before.”

  Sitting next to Adeline, Frits had taken her hand in his as they resumed their seats and watched the discussion. He’d met people—mostly men—from different parts of the West Indies, but Mrs. Rymer’s diction was so good, no one would think she was from anywhere but England. She reminded him of his mother’s and sisters’ ladies’ maids.

  He had been happy to be on the periphery of the conversation until she said that her husband was a shipwright. “If you can bring him here, I have a position for him.”

  Adeline squeezed his hand and smiled. He’d offer a dozen men jobs, more, to keep both her hand and her smile.

  “But how?” Mrs. Rymer appeared fascinated and a bit doubtful.

  “That is not too difficult,” Lady Wivenly replied. “There are several ships in the Canary Islands that will be sailing soon for the West Indies. I shall send word that we need to free your husband.”

  Adeline gave a confused shake of her head. “But could Lettsome not do the same thing to imprison”—she frowned—“make matters worse for Mr. Rymer?”

  “He would have to send a ship or a letter from here to either Tortola or to a ship leaving from here heading to the West Indies.” Lady Wivenly’s lips tilted into a sly smile. “I will use birds.”

  Frits didn’t understand how that was possible. Yes, pigeons had been known to fly a little over one thousand miles on a journey, but the West Indies was three times that far at least. Still, Lady Wivenly was no fool, so he had to believe that if she said it was possible, it must be. “Can you explain how you do that?”

  “As I said, we have a group. Our members live in,” she raised one shoulder, “shall we say, various places. The bird I send will fly to one place, then another bird will be sent. Eventually, one will land in the Canary Islands, and my message will be taken to a ship.”

  Frits calculated the distance and factored in that the birds did not fly at night. “That would take about one week to arrive in the Canaries.” And they would not have to worry about the wind being in the right quarter. “Whereas a ship leaving from London would take at least twice that long.”

  “Exactement.” Lady Wivenly smiled approvingly. “Once our ship reaches its first stop in the West Indies”—he noticed she was being very uninformative about exactly where the members of the group were located—“another bird will be sent to Tortola.” She glanced at Mrs. Rymer, who appeared to be as engrossed in the plan as were he and Adeline. Probably more, considering it was her husband at risk.

  Wivenly, lounging back against the sofa next to his wife, had obviously heard it before. “If your husband is working in the shipyard, I assume he earns a salary, most of which is paid to Lettsome?”

  “Yes. He is allowed to keep about a quarter of what he earns. He is saving to buy our freedom.”

  From what Frits had heard, before England had outlawed new slaves being brought onto their islands, that was fairly common. It was less so now. Completely mistrusting the man, he wondered if Lettsome would ever allow
the family to buy their freedom.

  It would, though, be easy for a man to be called to a ship for repairs, and for the ship to depart before the man was taken ashore. “He knows you and your son are here. What is keeping him from making his way here?”

  Mrs. Rymer had taken out a handkerchief and was wringing it. “They threatened to sell Peter to the Danes.”

  Adeline glanced at Frits. “They might be successful in putting him on a boat for St. Thomas here.”

  Considering the number of dishonest ships’ captains he had come across, that didn’t surprise him at all. He now realized why Lady Wivenly’s group was so careful. “How do we protect Mrs. Rymer and Peter until Mr. Rymer arrives?”

  Everyone looked at Lady Wivenly, but it was Wivenly who spoke, “We take them out of London and hide them until he is in England.”

  “My primary estate is in Surrey,” Frits said. “It’s not too far to keep an eye on them.”

  “But they know who you are,” Adeline objected. “If I were them, that is the first place I would go.”

  “My sister is correct, however, you are right as well. We will use the smaller estate of a friend of ours.” Wivenly grinned. “You might know of it. Broadmore.”

  Know of it? Frits’s family had been trying to buy it for an age. “I know it quite well.”

  Adeline glanced from him to her brother. “Where is it?”

  “It is on the east side of Littlewood.” No doubt her brother knew how many offers he’d made on the property.

  “Oh.” Her smooth forehead wrinkled as she looked thoughtfully at Wivenly. “Is it wise to have them so close to Littlewood?”

  “I don’t see that we will have a problem. If they decided to search outside London, they won’t think to look anywhere other than Littleton’s estate. And there is nothing connecting us to the duchess’s estate.”

  “It’s a fortified manor house with a large curtilage,” Frits added. “Peter will be able to play outside without fear of discovery.”