by Ella Quinn
When the soup arrived, she was thrilled to discover it was thicker than she thought it would be and extremely tasty. Accompanying it was more orange juice and a bread so light it had to have been baked by Pierre. Regretfully, almost as soon as she finished the repast, Morpheus took her in his arms again.
For the next two days, all Adeline did was eat and sleep. Even her favorite books could not keep her awake long. No one came to take Maximus away, for which she was thankful. Nor did her mother demand that he be removed from her bedchamber or her bed. On the third day, the doctor visited and proclaimed she could get up, sit in a chair, and take the air as long as she did not tire herself.
“What you do not want to do, my lady, is to have a relapse,” he said sternly. “No gadding about until you have regained your strength.”
As soon as he left, she rang for Fendall. “I must wash my hair.”
“The bathtub should be here”—she cocked her head—“now.”
It was a warm day, and once Adeline’s hair had dried, she was allowed to sit in the garden. If she was lucky, Frits would stop by. Almost the moment she was on the chaise that had been carried to the terrace, Henrietta and Georgie were announced.
“I am so glad you are finally well enough to get up.” Georgie bussed Adeline’s cheek. “We were not allowed to visit you at all.”
Henrietta dropped a light kiss on Adeline’s forehead. “We offered to help nurse you, but we were told we could not take the risk of contracting the grippe.”
Georgie rolled her eyes. “As if we cared.”
Maximus, who had gone to sniff around the garden, came prancing back and took up a position on the ground next to Adeline.
Henrietta stroked him. “Whose dog is this?”
“Lord Littleton’s.” Two curious pairs of eyes focused on Adeline. “He thought Maximus would make me feel better. According to my maid, he kept me from thrashing around with the fever.”
“I have always thought animals have a calming effect,” Henrietta said sagely. “Their presence works on cranky babies as well.”
Georgie smoothed her skirts. “Will you be well enough to attend Dorie’s wedding?”
Goodness. Adeline had forgotten all about the wedding. “When is it?”
“In two days.” Georgie’s brows came together. “I know she will understand if you are not strong enough.”
“No.” There was no way Adeline was going to miss that ceremony. “I shall be there even if I have to be carried.”
“Excellent,” Henrietta said, grinning.
“My lady,” Abney said, “Lord Littleton insists upon seeing you.”
Georgie and Henrietta exchanged glances.
“We shall see you later,” Georgie said rising, then curtseying. “My lord.”
“My lord.” Henrietta curtseyed as well. “Adeline, we will come by again tomorrow.”
“I look forward to seeing you.”
Frits stroked Maximus, who had got up to greet him, but his concerned gaze was on Adeline. As she searched his bright green eyes, she knew she had been right. She did love him.
She patted the chaise cushion. “Please, come sit with me.”
Perching on the small space, he took her hand. “I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to see you up and looking well.”
She curled her hand around his warm, strong, slightly callused fingers. “You are not wearing gloves.” Well, that was a stupid thing to say. “I mean—”
“When word came that you were allowed out of your chamber, I came immediately and forgot them.”
“I like the feel of your hands.” Not that she had much with which to compare them. They were rougher than her father’s. She placed her palm on his cheek. “I love you. I love that you care for me so much that you braved my mother and brought Maximus to me. You must have missed him exceedingly.” His thumb brushed her face below her eye. “I am convinced no one could love me more than you do.”
Chapter Thirty-One
“Because no one can.” Frits’s heart soared as he gently touched his lips to Adeline’s. “Are you ready to hear a proposal, or shall I wait?”
Adeline was still too pale, but her eyes lit up, and her smile was all he could wish for. “I am ready.”
For days she was so ill, he thought he was going to lose her. He had almost decided to wait until she was stronger, until they were at Littlewood. But when she’d declared her love for him this time, he knew it was the truth, and he couldn’t wait. He couldn’t lose this moment.
The speech he’d been planning for weeks went out of his head, and for a second, he couldn’t even talk. That’s when he knew he would just speak from his heart. “Adeline, when I look at you, I can see you with our child, our children. I can see you by my side in all I do.” Frits raised their linked hands to his lips and kissed each of her knuckles. “I don’t know what I would do without you. It almost killed me to know you were so ill, and I was not allowed to be with you. My life would be empty without you in it. Will you be my wife, the love of my life, and the mother to our children? Will you stay by my side for the rest of our lives?” He took a breath. “And can we wed soon?”
Adeline laughed so hard she started to cough, and Frits swore to himself. Fortunately, Abney brought tea, and she was soon able to answer. “Yes and yes. I will be your wife and the mother to your children, and I want nothing more than to remain with you for the rest of my life.”
“Do you mind if we marry at Littlewood?” Frits had thought long and hard about this. The plan was for her and her mother to visit as soon as she could travel. Once she was there, he didn’t want her to leave.
“I would be happy to have the wedding there.” He held the cup to her lips and she drank. “When do you wish to wed?”
“We cannot depart Town until after Exeter and Lady Dorie’s wedding. If you are well enough, a day or two later, if that suits you.”
“That sounds perfect.” This time she reached up and kissed him, and it was all he could do not to take her into his arms. Yet, she was not well enough for even deep kisses. A wet tongue landed on his cheek, and Adeline laughed. “I think Maximus is feeling left out.”
Frits rubbed the dog’s ears. “He’s going to have to get used to some changes.” Such as not always being able to be with him or Adeline. “Do you want me to leave him with you?”
Her pearl-like teeth bit her bottom lip, and he almost groaned with need. “If you do not mind.”
“Not at all.” She gave him a dubious look. “I would rather he be here with you for the nonce. We will all be together before long.” All he’d have to do was to get his mother to speak with Lady Huntingdon again.
“How did you get him into my room? I cannot believe Abney or Mama allowed you to bring him.”
Frits grinned. “I came by so often that first day that your butler stopped manning the door. I was waiting for that to occur. After all, butlers have many more duties than that. Once I knew he was occupied elsewhere, Humphries came with me, and he got the footman to follow him out of the hall. Then I came in and snuck Max to your room. I think your maid was actually happy to have him there. She told me later that he made you much calmer, and when you did start to become restless, he would settle you.” He wasn’t going to tell her that when her mother found out about Maximus, her ladyship had tried to evict the dog. Adeline’s lady’s maid had argued against it, and he’d had to call his mother in to intervene.
“That must be the reason he was allowed to stay.” She stroked the Great Dane’s ears. “Thank you for thinking of it.”
“It was my pleasure.” He remembered the other thing he wanted to tell her. “Peter and his mother are safely out of Town, and Lady Wivenly sent the message to the West Indies.”
“That means Mr. Rymer will be here by early autumn, if not before.” Smiling, she gazed up at Frits. “Thank you for making sure I knew.”
“I’ve been thinking about their situation. You will remember that I suggested he could work at my shipyard. I wrote th
e manager, and he agreed that Mr. Rymer would be an excellent addition. It seems his reputation has preceded him.”
“Frits, that is wonderful.” A little color came back into her cheeks. “They have no family here to help them. Perhaps we should find a house for them and set it up as well.” A line formed over the bridge of her nose as she thought. “With Mrs. Rymer’s participation, of course.”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but you are right. We should ensure that they have no immediate worries.”
He heard the clicking of shoes on the terrace and glanced over his shoulder. “Good morning. We have an announcement to make.”
His mother clasped her hands together. “You are getting married.”
Before either he or Adeline could verify her statement, Lady Watford let out a loud huff. “Thank God. It’s about time. I shall inform the rector of St George’s.”
Adeline grimaced and looked at him, then shook her head. “Mama, we wish to have the wedding at Littlewood as soon as it can be arranged.”
“Aha!” His mother exclaimed as her mother scowled. “I do not know why you thought it would be otherwise, Annis. I should have accepted your wager.” Mama smiled at Frits and Adeline. “Shall we invite the tenants and the neighbors?”
“Yes, please,” Adeline said. “It will be a good opportunity to meet everyone.”
“Annis, you may invite as many people as you wish.” His mother apparently could not resist a triumphant smirk. It was a good thing they were longtime friends.
“I should have known.” Lady Watford sighed. “Adeline, you require new clothing. I shall ask my modiste to attend me immediately. This is a horrible time of the Season to have anything made quickly, but I’ll do my best.”
“I have some ideas on how that can be achieved.” Mama linked her arm with Lady Watford. “Let us leave the children alone, and we will discuss the arrangements.”
Adeline dipped her head and tried to hide a yawn, but he’d seen it. “You need to sleep.”
“That’s all I’ve been doing,” she complained.
“If you nap a little now, you might be able to join the family for dinner.” He’d cajoled more than one recovering person with promises of treats.
“Will you be there?” He swooped her into his arms and started inside.
“As soon as I ask your mother.” He had every expectation her ladyship would agree. They were going to be family soon.
By this time next week, Frits and Adeline could be married.
* * *
Owen Davies wiped his sweaty hands on his breeches before he knocked and entered Mr. Lettsome’s study. “You wanted to see me, sir?”
The man looked up. The almost refined appearance he gave to all of London was replaced by stern lines and anger that Davies was afraid was directed at him. He’d been so irked with the lad, he’d forgotten where he was. “You’ve got to get the boy and his mother back. I cannot afford to lose the money Rymer brings in from his work in the shipyard. If we don’t go back with them, he’ll find a way to escape.” The only hold they had on the slave was his family. “I also can’t bear the cost of replacing them with paid servants, or the prices the Danes charge for new slaves.” That Davies didn’t believe. Lettsome was a pinchpenny. “But this time you’ve got to be smart about it. If you get caught, I can’t help you.”
What was unsaid was that Davies could lose his position if he didn’t succeed. “I’m keeping an eye on his lordship’s house.”
“They are not there.” Lettsome spat the words. “There was no way the boys I hired could have missed a woman being brought into the house.”
“I know it, but there was that woman who was with his lordship. I’ll wager that she has ’em, or knows where they are.” Women were soft. She was the one who made his lordship interfere. Davies started to fidget and stopped. “I’ll find them, sir. I ain’t never let a slave escape yet.”
“See that you do.”
That conversation had been almost two weeks ago, and each day he’d waited for word. Finally, one of the boys came up to him at the pub he’d started patronizing and slid onto the bench opposite him. “I found the mort.”
“How?” It’d taken Davies too long to learn that ladies didn’t go to gentlemen’s houses.
“’E’s been goin’ to the same place every time I turned around for days now. It’s got ta been her ’ouse.”
“Have you seen her?”
“Na, but I ’eard she’s been sick.”
Davies slid the coin across the table and it disappeared into the lad’s coat. “Tell me when you see her.”
“You got it.” The boy left as quickly as he’d arrived.
This time he’d find out where Rymer’s wife and son were. Davies would do whatever he had to make her tell him where the slaves were. He drained his glass of ale. It wouldn’t be long now.
* * *
That evening, Frits and his mother had come to dinner, and the next morning, Adeline went over designs and fabric with her mother’s modiste. A few hours later, she had finally selected sufficient gowns and other garments to start her on married life.
“I’ll do my best, my lady.” The modiste stared at the list she’d written. “Most of it will have to be sent after you leave Town.”
“Lady Littleton has several seamstresses coming up to Town to help. If you can get the clothing done enough, it can be finished in the country.”
The woman nodded. “Normally, I like to see the final results myself, but I understand your haste.”
“I appreciate you agreeing to take the time to attend my daughter. If it was up to her, she would probably not have a new wardrobe at all.”
“I’ll see that it does not come to that, my lady.” The woman sounded properly horrified.
Adeline had almost fallen asleep on a daybed when her mother and the modiste had begun discussing how all the gowns would be finished. It really was not true that she’d forgo new gowns. Hadn’t she been complaining all Season that she wanted more color in her garments? What she had not wanted was to be in Town waiting for the clothing to be completed.
A satisfied smile curved her lips. And now she would not have to.
* * *
The following day was Dorie and Exeter’s wedding. Adeline and Georgie sat together in St George’s Church and Henrietta attended Dorie. The ceremony was lovely, but Adeline was thankful that she would not be marrying in the large church. Not that she knew anything at all about the church at Littlewood, but it had to be smaller and more comfortable than this.
When she arrived at Huntingdon House for the wedding breakfast, Frits was waiting for her. “How are you feeling?”
“A little tired still.” She did not want to put off their journey to her new home, but she was afraid she might have to.
“Sweetheart, you look pale.” Frits’s lips pressed together for a moment. “We should wait a few more days before journeying to Littlewood.”
“As much as I would like to disagree with you, I am afraid you are correct.” He led her to a table and held the chair as she sat. “I dislike disappointing you.”
“Disappoint me?” He looked surprised. “Never. It would take much more than you finishing your recovery to do that.” He raised her hand and kissed it. “I believe there are ices to be had. I’ll get some for you.”
Georgie took one of the other chairs and propped her chin on her palm. “Well?”
Adeline couldn’t stop the grin from growing on her face. “We are betrothed. Our families will be traveling to Littlewood as soon as I am able. How much notice will you need for the wedding?”
“I am so happy for you!” Her friend hugged her. “I shall leave as soon as I receive your invitation.”
She scanned the room and saw Frits returning with the ices. He had brought one for Georgie as well. “Please do not say anything here. This is Dorie’s day.”
“I quite understand.” Georgie accepted three glasses of champagne from a footman. “I will tell Henrietta after we depa
rt.”
Frits placed the ices on the table. “Ladies, I hope you like what I chose.”
Adeline tasted hers. “Mmm. Muscadine.”
“Mine is lemon.” Henrietta looked at Frits. “Thank you. That was a good choice.”
“My pleasure. I’m glad you like it.” He glanced at Henrietta and Adeline. “Have you told her?”
“About our betrothal? Yes, but we agreed that it would be better not to let it be widely known at the moment.”
He nodded. “Prudent of you. I told Turley and Exeter yesterday. He and Lady”—Frits stopped for a second—“Exeter are traveling to their property in Kent first so that they can attend our wedding.”
Adeline finished her ice and took a drink of champagne. “I am glad they will be there.”
“As am I. It appears that the new Lady Exeter has decided to forgive me my transgressions.”
“It’s about time,” Georgie muttered. “Nevertheless, all’s well that ends well.”
Adeline agreed.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Adeline was finally traveling to Littlewood today. She and her maid strolled out to the gated square in front of the house. The past week had been so busy, it was the first day since Dorie’s wedding that Adeline had had the opportunity to do something not regarding the move, recovering her strength, and the wedding. Even now, her trunks were being loaded onto wagons bound for Littlewood. She and her family, along with Frits and his mother, would depart after luncheon.
As it was, they only had a few minutes before Frits arrived. Yet the square was in full bloom, and she wanted to see the flowers. “I suppose I should be sad to be leaving home, but I’m not. I have heard so much about Littlewood and the people, and animals, that I am excited to finally meet them.”
“I must say I agree, my lady. It will be nice to be in the country again. I’ve had a chance to talk with Lady Littleton’s maid, and she said she’s never seen a more beautiful place.” A small boy ran by, and Fendall reached out to steady Adeline. Her strength had only recently returned.