Adeline thought she would like to see Jack tomorrow and tell him about her latest adventures. Drifting off to sleep, she imagined making him smile and laugh as she told him about the music and dancing. She dreamed that instead of Thomas, she was in Jack’s arms, spinning about the room and smiling into his hazel-green eyes and there was no one else but them.
CHAPTER SIX
Cassiopeia was woken rudely from her deep restful sleep by the recently dearly departed Lord Abingdon’s restless spirit. This happened sometimes when she least expected it. A soul, that didn’t want to wait for her to seek them out, would come to her at the most inconvenient of times. It was Jackson’s father this time, concerned about the state of mind of his son. He’d been an awful father in life and he was trying to make up for his cruelty to his youngest son in death. Cassie rubbed her eyes and sighed in resignation, allowing the spirit to interrupt her slumber.
“What is it I can help you with, Lord Abingdon?” Cassie yawned, speaking out loud even though it wasn’t necessary for talking to the dead.
“I shouldn’t be dead.” the spirit complained. “It was too soon. You must help them before it’s too late.”
“I don’t understand.” Cassie was still half asleep. “Are you saying Jack might be in danger?”
“They’re all in danger.” The old earl’s voice began to quiver and fade. He clearly had more to tell her about his own untimely death, but the connection was fading and Cassie drifted back into a dreamless slumber.
“Mr. James, may I join you for a drink?” Jackson indicated the chair next to Simon in the men’s smoking room, trying to find some excuse to distract himself.
“Of course, my boy.” Simon folded the newspaper he had been reading for probably the third time since departing New York. “I look forward to arriving in London and getting all the latest news.”
“So what are your plans once you reach town?” Jackson asked as he accepted a glass of whiskey from the waiter.
“We’ll be leaving for Paris immediately.” Simon lit up a cigar and took a few puffs. “Then I must marry Adeline off to an earl or a duke or any of those sorts. If I can get a little business done as we go, all the better.”
Jackson, of course, knew what Mr. James had planned for his daughter, but he’d never been able to imagine Adeline married to a man for business purposes. Not with her fire and passion for her causes. But of course, her father knew nothing about her social reform activities.
“And Adeline has agreed to being married off, regardless of her feelings?” The question was rather personal, but Jackson couldn’t seem to help himself.
“Oh, no, not just to anyone, I’m afraid.” Simon sipped his own drink thoughtfully before continuing. “She will not allow me to choose for her. She’s become an independent lass since her mother passed away and was firm that she would agree to this marriage not only because I desire it, but because it was her mother’s greatest desire as well. However, my little Addie insisted that the man would have to be of her choosing or she would simply never marry.”
“Well, from what I know, Adeline is going to be hard to please.” Jackson didn’t say what he was really thinking, that choosing among the willing—or more specifically—desperate Toffs he’d known growing up would severely limit Adeline’s choices.
“Indeed, indeed.” Simon stared off into the distance contemplating his near future. “I fear we will be staying in London for quite some time to come. That’s precisely why I decided to buy a house for Adeline instead of just letting out a place. I want to be sure that if I need to get back to New York before she’s made a decision, that I can at least leave her with a staff that is dedicated to her safety and comfort.”
“Are you having dinner in the dining room tonight?” Jack asked politely, wondering if Lady Huntingdon would invite him back to her cabin again this evening.
“Yes, and I’d invite you to join us, but the Viscount of Denbigh will be paying court to Adeline. With a little luck, he will be the one and my work will be done.” Simon laughed and slapped Jack on the back. “Who am I kidding, our Addie won’t be that easy to convince. Well, Jack, wish me luck anyway.”
“Good luck, Simon.” Jackson said without meaning it. Walking back to his cabin he’d already decided to accidentally interrupt the James’s dinner. He knew Denbigh from when he’d been in school and he wanted to make certain the man didn’t misrepresent himself to Adeline.
* * *
“Oh, Miss, he is going to be smitten the moment he lays eyes on you.” Emily hurried her mistress into the dressing room. “I’ve picked out one of your Worth gowns; I hope you approve.”
“Yes, this is one of my favorites.” Adeline said, stroking the apple-green silk gown trimmed with silvery-black lace and silver piping and beads. Cunning little black bows were lined up in a row straight down the back of it and the neckline was demure but slightly off the shoulder.
“Will you let me add some additional cosmetics to your toilette?” Emily was even more eager for the evening than Adeline.
“I suppose, if you keep it very light. I don’t want him to get the wrong impression. And you know Father doesn’t approve.”
“Well,” Emily pushed Adeline down to sit at the small vanity and began to brush out and arrange her long golden hair. “Your father wants you to make a good first impression and wrangle yourself a proposal, doesn’t he? So we must do everything we can to ensure that outcome from the beginning.”
“I really don’t think I want a proposal from the man the first time I meet him.”
“Why ever not?” Emily asked looking for her curling tongs in her bag of lady’s maid accoutrements. “After all, he’ll need to get in line for your attentions once you attend your first ball in London. He should be wanting to make the best impression he can while he has you all to himself on this ship with no competition in sight for hundreds of miles.”
Adeline wanted to scoff at her maid’s silly predictions, but she knew the young woman was quite right. The penniless titled men of the Ton would be lining up to ask for her hand once they realized the extent of her inheritance. She sat and contemplated the near future of trying to maneuver the treacherous waters of society that awaited her once she reached town. She had already been warned by several experienced ladies of her acquaintance in Manhattan that between being snubbed by the ladies of London and chased by the destitute lords, it would be a constant test of Adeline’s resilience. But this evening, there would be only one gentleman to fend off.
It would be the perfect opportunity to practice her English etiquette taught to her so diligently by Emily ever since she’d been hired for that very purpose over a year ago. During that time, Adeline had grown quite fond of her lady’s maid, even though Emily kept reminding her that a friendship between them was too American by far. After her hair was curled and piled on her head, a few discrete cosmetics applied and her dress buttoned up and brushed clean, Adeline retired to the main sitting room in the suite to wait for her father to appear and escort her to dinner.
Simon entered the room a few minutes later, arguing with his valet. Having risen from nothing, it was not natural for Mr. James to be pawed and fussed over. Although he’d realized long ago that he must succumb to this blue-blooded custom if he was to rub shoulders with the sort of society he expected his daughter to marry into. However, that didn’t mean he had to enjoy it.
“Come now, Adeline, let us escape before Albury tries to tuck something else in.” Simon held out his elbow for his daughter to grasp and they made their way to the first-class dining room. “Now don’t forget, the Viscount of Denbigh isn’t used to our colonial ways, so you must try not to shock him with your outspokenness and independence.”
“I think I know how to behave properly, Papa.” Adeline scolded. “Between mother, my tutors, and Stone, I will be the epitome of a proper English lady, but not quite so boring.” Adeline added playfully.
It had the desired effect of making her father laugh outright. “Naughty c
hild. That is exactly the sort of outrageous talk you are to avoid.” Simon patted her arm as they strolled the deck to their destination. “But of course, that’s why I adore you.” He sighed with resignation, making Adeline smile to herself.
Lord Denbigh was indeed a handsome fellow, with his blond curly hair and expressive brown eyes. He stood and bowed gallantly when Simon and Adeline approached the table.
“Ah, the lovely Miss James. What a pleasure to finally meet you.” he said, smiling with only half his mouth in a way that Adeline didn’t especially care for. It was as if he was not quite sure that it was a pleasure to be introduced, and he might have to reconsider.
Adeline curtsied as Emily had taught her, and allowed the viscount to pull out her chair as she sat down.
“I’ve admired you from afar on this voyage.” The viscount startled Adeline with the compliment. It seemed he might have been aware that she was a bit put off by his demeanor. “And your father tells me this will be your first visit to London. Just in time for the Season and all the balls and parties.”
“What else has Papa told you?” Adeline smiled at the man. She realized that it would be unkind of her to judge him just on a look. Besides, his eyes were kind and his figure was fine, and just because he had been raised to discount American robber barons—as the common term for her father’s status was sometimes referred to—didn’t necessarily mean he couldn’t be swayed to a new, more modern opinion.
“Not too much, really,” the viscount replied, glancing at Mr. James. “As it is, we’ve mostly been discussing business. It seems that Americans are quickly learning how to make money just by looking at something new, while we English are managing quite the opposite. It’s an interesting dilemma. But come now, you can’t possibly be interested in such things.”
“On the contrary,” Simon James said, joining the conversation. “Adeline here has quite a sharp mind, and a nose for good business. We enjoy discussing new endeavors and solving employee situations together. She has many progressive ideas, as well. Most are too progressive by far, but it’s always a stimulating conversation, nonetheless.”
“Indeed.” The viscount looked surprised by Simon’s comments. No doubt he wasn’t used to a woman concerning herself with the family business.
Emily had warned Adeline that ladies did not discuss anything so base and common as business. Their realm was the home, fashion, and gossip; politics on occasion, but only as a passing interest. Adeline was curious to see what the viscount would think of a woman who did not fit this English ideal.
“I’m concerned with the growing problems of labor and the responsibility of employers, like my father, to ensure his workers’ welfare.” Adeline watched the viscount carefully as she continued. “I believe that if the workers are given care and respect, they will be far more productive and therefore become assets to the factory or other large manufacturing enterprises, thereby creating an even more profitable situation for all involved and especially men like my father.”
“You see what I have to listen to?” Simon patted his daughter’s hand affectionately. “She just doesn’t understand the way things are done. You spend as little as possible and collect more profits.”
“I’ve heard this sort of talk as well back home,” the viscount commented as he sipped his wine. “There are all sorts of demonstrations and protests going on in the streets about this and women’s rights as well.”
“Oh, please, do not get my daughter started on suffrage as well.”
“But, Father, you must know that England is quite progressive in both movements. They’ve had the mandatory ten-hour workday for decades and, I’ve heard that Mr. Lansbury has been quite the advocate of women for many years. I wouldn’t be surprised if English women had the vote before Americans embrace the idea.”
“Your daughter is quite well informed,” the viscount said, turning away from her and addressing her father.
Adeline wondered if he would now dismiss her as a potential wife since she had quite spoken her mind on several matters that were traditionally men’s territory exclusively. She sighed quietly to herself as the gentlemen deftly changed the subject to lighter issues like how much longer until they landed in Great Britain, what kind of weather they could expect upon arrival, and who the Jameses should rub shoulders with upon entering the social whirl.
“So has Miss James been given an invitation to Willis’s?”
“Alas, entrance to that well-guarded institution has not yet come our way.” Simon shook his head at the touchy subject of how Americans were generally shunned by the highest echelons of the English society. “We shall have to rely on individuals like yourself, Lord Denbigh, to help ease her way into many of the events that are traditionally closed off to all but the upper ten thousand. I am hopeful, though, that it won’t be necessary for long.” He reached over and patted Adeline’s hand. “I don’t think my lovely daughter will be on the marriage mart for long. After all, just look at her. Between her beauty and her wealth, there won’t be an available bachelor able to resist her charms.”
Adeline turned her head away from the viscount, embarrassed by Simon’s words. Although she was used to her father’s praise, for some reason—now that he was trying to marry her off, possibly to the man sitting next to her—it had the ring of unseemliness on this occasion.
“I can certainly put in a good word for Miss James, but the only ones with any power in these matters are the ladies.” The viscount did not appear to be distraught by his own inability to influence ‘the ladies’, as he put it.
Quickly growing tired of the men’s conversation, that was obviously not intended to include her participation, Adeline retreated into her own thoughts. As soon as she returned from Paris, she would be looking for ways to continue with her social reform activities, which she fully intended to pursue whilst her father was spending his time looking for business opportunities.
Adeline sighed, waiting patiently to be excused once the gentlemen retired to their brandy and cigars. She felt superfluous sitting there as this man decided her worth to his ulterior motives. Was she more valuable than the social sacrifice he must make in order to save his family legacy? She would soon find out. Either he would propose or politely pretend the thought had never entered his mind. It mattered not to her, as there were plenty more where he had come from. Although he did have some charm and a handsome visage, and she knew that would not always be the case over the coming weeks and months. Some of the lords presented to her might not be so aesthetically pleasing and might, in fact, be repulsive. Adeline had heard the horror stories of rich American heiresses being married off to disgusting old decrepit men and being forced to share their beds in the hopes of producing an heir. She shuddered with revulsion at the thought. But thankfully, she knew that Father would not force her into such an unnatural union.
She covertly observed the viscount further, noting his aristocratic profile and slim figure. It was difficult not to liken him to Jackson. But it simply wasn’t fair of her to compare the two, since they were as different as night and day.
Jackson, with his broad shoulders and strong arms, work-roughened hands and standing so tall above her; he was dark where the viscount was blond and fair of skin. Jack had those piercing hazel-green eyes, while the viscount’s brown eyes didn’t seem to hold any depth of feeling.
Adeline shook herself mentally. That was not where she had wanted her thoughts to stray. Jackson had belonged to Clara and he always would. And she was destined to marry a viscount or an earl or, if the stars somehow managed to line up, a duke. At the very least a baron, although Adeline remembered her mother—while still alive—was not at all keen on the idea that her daughter would settle for a mere baron.
“Ah, Mr. Bradley, just in time to join me and the viscount for brandy.” Adeline’s head snapped up as she came out of her daydream, realizing that the man she’d just been envisioning had joined them.
“Mr. James, Miss James,” Jackson bowed politely. “I decided
to take a stroll and had no idea you would still be here.” Adeline narrowed her eyes at Jack. She knew him fairly well and was nearly positive that he was lying.
“Maybe you know Lord Denbigh from your days growing up in England.” Simon offered, looking between the two men as they eyed each other cautiously.
“Jackson Bradley?” The viscount spoke his name in what Adeline could have sworn was a slightly condescending tone.” You are Winston’s youngest brother, if I’m not mistaken. Rousted out of the family by your father some years back, if memory serves. Say, old chap, your wife wasn’t the one that Lord Abingdon disowned you for, was she? A barmaid, if I remember the rumors at the time.”
Adeline was mortified for Jack. How dare this pompous rakehell say such unkind things about her friends? She was about to tell him so, but Jackson must have sensed her indignation and interceded before she could voice her outrage.
“Denbigh, you always were damn jealous of me.” Jack held out a hand and the viscount reached for it and shook it vigorously. They both grinned and laughed as if at some inside joke, although it seemed rather strained from Adeline’s perspective. “Stephen and I were a few years apart at Eton, but he was fast friends with my brother, the new Earl of Abingdon. I must say that being the younger brother had its drawbacks, one of which was being the butt of many a prank and the constant good-natured badgering that young men tend to engage in with a bit too much gusto.”
Jack appeared to be letting bygones be bygones, but Adeline could sense he was putting on a brave face and trying to be the better man in this awkward situation.
“Yes, yes, all in the past now,” the viscount agreed, looking sideways at the Jameses as if to comprehend whether or not they’d noticed his social blunder. But of course, such a misstep could not be easily forgotten. Besides, it was more than obvious that this was the reason Jack had shown up tonight—to make sure Addie knew just what kind of a man the viscount really was.
Heaven Bound (A Blakemore Family Book: Madame Lou Series Book 2) Page 6