Adeline

by Christina McKnight

  “My lady—“

  “Please, call me Theo,” she said. “It is preferable among friends.”

  With a bit of shock, Jasper realized this doubled his number of friends in London. “Theo, I can assure you, finding myself the center of attention is not so far out of a normal occurrence for me.” It had been the way of things every time he departed the Abbey and journeyed to the plant or into town. London was to be no different. He reached up and adjusted the collar of his jacket where it did an admirable job of hiding his scars. “While I have never plied my talents to target practice, I can assure you my people have never suffered a single day of hunger.”

  “Hunting?” Lady Josephine clutched her neck as the color drained from her face. “I could never bring myself to harm a poor, defenseless animal.”

  “If it meant you’d never enjoy duck soup or roasted pheasant again, I am certain you’d find a way to do away with your delicate sensibilities,” Lady Georgina retorted with a chuckle.

  “Perhaps I will adjust well to eating solely from my family’s gardens.”

  “And perhaps you will find you enjoy walking on all fours and nibbling at grass,” Adeline added at his side.

  Lady Melton sucked in a breath and glared at Adeline as the young woman, Lady Josie, appeared to shrink into herself as her shoulders caved and she returned her stare to the ground, her hands clutched at her chest.

  “My apologies, Josie, I did not mean…”

  “There is no need, Adeline,” the woman mumbled. “I know you think I should be more daring; though I am uncertain that trait lies within me.”

  “My words were still uncalled for,” Adeline said. “And I apologize.”

  Lady Josie’s gaze snapped from the ground to Adeline, narrowing as if securitizing the sincerity behind her apology.

  Glancing about, Jasper was confused to see Lady Melton and Lady Georgina doing the same. Certainly, Adeline hadn’t meant to be harsh and unkind to her friend. She’d never appeared such while at the Abbey.

  “Ah, well, with the party fast approaching, I believe I was invited to see you all ply your skills at archery,” Jasper said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Adeline turned to him with a thankful smile. “I am much looking forward to your displays of marksmen—er, markswomanship.”

  Finally, the peculiar cloud that had settled over them lifted when Lady Melton laughed at his word choice, Lady Georgina following suit as they collected their bows.

  “We line up here,” Lady Melton said over her shoulder as Lady Georgina and Josie took their places and set their stances.

  “Theo corrects and guides us as we practice,” Adeline offered as they stood a few paces away from the others while they prepared their arrows. “She is accomplished at calculations, wind speed, and angles.”

  Lady Melton adjusted Lady Josie’s positioning, having her shift one foot so the toe of her boot faced the target on a straight line.

  “Odd, but I’ve never considered my stance when shooting,” Jasper mused.

  “You will find it increases the accuracy of your shot by twenty-seven percent.” He glanced at her, her brow furrowed. “Or at least that is what Theo always says.”

  “On most occasions, I am hurried to release my arrow before the stag or pheasant catches my scent and flees.”

  “Shhhh,” Adeline whispered, leaning close enough for him to catch the scent of vanilla that clung to her. “Take in this moment.”

  The pair released their bow strings in unison and hit their targets in the exact same spot.

  “That was a spectacular feat!” Jasper applauded, receiving smiles from the women and a wave from Lady Georgina.

  “My turn.” Adeline took her place before her target and removed her bow from her shoulder. She looked as captivating now, in Regent’s Park, as she had during their turkey hunt at Faversham, though her hair was not wildly cascading down her back, but instead pinned mostly atop her head in what Jasper could only assume was the proper style for London ladies. He could nearly picture her in true trousers with her skirts tucked as they were, her trim waist leading to toned legs with delicate ankles.

  Lady Melton joined her with her own bow and quiver at the ready, and Jasper pulled himself from his scandalous musings.

  Jasper watched as the women breathed deeply, exhaled, and then took another, far more shallow breath—and then loosed their arrows.

  When both hit—and stuck—dead center of their targets, Jasper exhaled, not realizing he’d been holding his breath in anticipation of Adeline’s shot.

  The women embraced at their victory.

  “Marvelous,” Jasper called once more, applauding their talent.

  The women were supremely talented with their bows and would likely best any man who dared challenge them.

  Pride surged through him, though it was not his pride to feel.

  “Good morn, ladies!” a man called from behind them. “I see you have attracted a crowd.”

  Jasper turned to see a smartly dressed man striding toward them, lanky but not overly tall, and dressed in garb finer than Jasper’s. He was certainly born to an elevated class, and the man knew it. His hair was combed with precision, and his boots shone in the morning sun.

  He did not stop when he arrived but went straight to Lady Georgina, wrapping her in a tight embrace before setting his lips against hers. “I have missed you, my lady bug. Must you be away from me all these hours? If I were a less confident man, I would doubt your love and devotion to me.”

  Lady Josie’s cheeks flamed red at the intimate nature of their conversation.

  “Oh, Felton, if I were not so in love with you, I might declare that you are smothering me with your neediness,” Lady Georgina countered.

  “You wound me, as always, my lady.” The man sighed dramatically.

  “Is it not better for words to wound your heart than my arrow, my dear Mr. Crauford?”

  Jasper watched the couple with envy. What exactly he coveted about their relationship, he was uncertain. Perhaps it was simply having another person to be close with in all regards: mentally, physically, and emotionally.

  Finally, Lady Georgina pulled from the man’s embrace and turned toward Jasper.

  “Lord Ailesbury, may I present my preening, indigent, lovingly committed husband, Mr. Felton Crauford.” Lady Georgina swept her arms up and down in front of her husband as if showing off a prized statue. “Felton, this is Lord Ailesbury, a friend of Adeline’s from Kent.”

  “I do hope you did not fall prey to their womanly charms and accept a challenge of skill,” Mr. Felton Crauford said. “Because, I assure you, they will best you…and take their purse prize without a second thought.”

  Jasper instantly liked the man—his warm smile and wit were likely a fine match for Lady Georgina’s daring tongue.

  “It is a blessing my bow remains in the country, or I’d likely have been swindled out of anything not entailed to my Earldom,” Jasper countered with a chuckle. He hadn’t felt so light and unburdened in years, and it all revolved around Adeline. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Crauford.”

  “And you, my lord.” Crauford pulled his wife close to his side. “Will you be joining in the celebration tonight?” He cringed and glanced at Adeline.

  Lady Georgina patted his chest. “Do not fret, Felton, Adeline has already discovered the details of her party. You have ruined no surprise.”

  The man exhaled. “I am relieved it is not I who let the cat out of the bag.”

  “I will be attending,” Jasper said.

  “Very good.” Felton placed a quick kiss to Lady Georgina’s forehead. “While I would relish another chance to best Lady Melton with a bow, I must be getting my wife home to prepare for our evening.”

  “Are you certain it is not you who needs time to ready themselves?” Adeline teased, her eyes lighting with merriment once more.

  “I can neither confirm nor deny your question,” Felton responded with a wink.

  “It is time we all
return and prepare ourselves,” Lady Melton said. Two footmen stepped from the shadows of a tree and began collecting the targets. Ailesbury had as yet not noticed the footmen keeping watch over the women, but it satisfied him greatly to know Lord Melton did not leave Adeline—and her friends—unprotected. “It was lovely seeing you again, Lord Ailesbury. My husband and I look forward to gaining an increased acquaintance this evening. I hope you will see Adeline home safely?”

  A sheen of sweat broke out on Jasper’s forehead despite the cool morning breeze still playing over the grassy area. See Adeline home safely?

  As he stood mute and confused, a footman returned and collected Adeline’s and Lady Melton’s archery gear and then disappeared again.

  “We shall see everyone this evening,” Lady Georgina called with a wave before turning and departing with Crauford.

  “Come, Josie.” Lady Melton slipped her arm through Lady Josie’s, and they followed the footmen from the clearing. “Good day, Adeline.”

  Jasper kept his stare trained on the retreating women, certain they would turn at any moment and laugh at their jest. They could not be serious about leaving Adeline in his care without a proper chaperone, especially after the fuss her brother had made about their time in the country.

  The sinking sensation that he’d been duped by none other than Lady Melton froze Jasper where he stood.

  Chapter 19

  Adeline shivered in the morning chill, noticing the brisk temperature for the first time since Jasper’s arrival. She remained quiet as Jasper unbuttoned and removed his coat, settling it around her shoulders with care. The new clothes suited him well, and anyone would be hard-pressed to believe this was his first time in their fair city. He walked with the confidence of a man who knew his place in life, who had no question about his worth and could give a damn what others thought of him. It was the thing that had drawn her to him during their first meeting when he stuck his rain-soaked head into her carriage and gave her a simple ultimatum: find refuge at Faversham Abbey, or remain stranded alongside the road.

  “Thank you, my lord.” She pulled her skirts from her waistband and tugged the coat tighter around her shoulders. “This is very kind of you.”

  He brushed his dark hair back, and she noted he’d had it trimmed since their arrival in London. She could not say whether she preferred the shorter, more fashionable style or his locks hanging over his collar.

  Adeline allowed her stare to wander from his hair to his face and down to his neck, his scars only slightly visible above his collar. In her opinion, the burn marks did more to enhance his appeal rather than deter from it. Odd that no man in society had gained her notice beyond a single dance—or refreshment—at a ball, yet Jasper, despite his stern demeanor, caused her to think through her every remark and take extra care with her appearance.

  The ache of her head from the pins placed with precision to hold her curls high atop her crown was evidence enough of this. If Theo had noted the extra time she’d spent preparing for this usual archery practice, she hadn’t mentioned it.

  However, leaving Adeline in Jasper’s care was enough to solidify in Adeline’s mind that Theo was meddling…which was highly suspect as Theo was not usually one to notice connections between individuals, especially from simple glances or witty remarks.

  “My carriage is across the park to the east at Albany Street,” he said as if apologizing. “Is the walk too far?”

  He glanced down at her feet, and Adeline was happy she’d selected her well-worn half boots that morning.

  “I think a stroll through the park sounds lovely, Lord Ailesbury.” Adeline made no attempt to hide her grin. Since their return the previous day, she’d thought they would never again enjoy a moment of privacy without her brother hovering close by with a watchful eye. It had been something she’d taken for granted while at the Abbey. London afforded no seclusion, but that found behind the closed doors of a married couple’s bedchamber. Even at her family’s townhouse, there were her siblings and servants always about. And Jasper and she would never know the privacy of a bedchamber.

  A walk through Regent’s Park long before the fashionable members of society ventured forth from their homes was the most solitude they could hope for in London.

  Adeline was shocked Theo had departed without leaving so much as a chaperone to accompany them. When Alistair learned of it, she would likely receive a sharp reprimand from her husband.

  They’d all accept such a fate to help one another, though, Adeline included. Had she not assisted Theo and Georgie in their scam to compete in their first tourney and thus faced her brother’s wrath?

  She and Jasper fell into a companionable silence as they followed the path toward the more populated section of the park. The sun rose ever higher, and soon, Adeline could feel nothing but Jasper’s warmth. Though he knew nearly nothing of London, she felt protected and safe by his side, much as she’d been when they first met.

  “The park is lovely, so serene for an area surrounded by such a bustling city.” He kept his steps short and unhurried, matching Adeline’s measured pace. It appeared he was in no rush to return to his coach and deliver her home. “If I were to close my eyes and listen, I could swear I was back on Faversham land.”

  “Amazing, is it not?” Adeline turned her face skyward, allowing the breeze to caress her skin but confident Jasper’s coat would keep the chill at bay. “One would not believe the marvels to be seen within London if they did not see them with his or her own eyes.”

  “I can now understand your love of London,” he replied.

  Adeline felt his stare on her, and heat blossomed at her core. Something about the man—his strength, his resilience, his kind heart—had Adeline doubting her own character. He was a far better person than she. He’d shown that at the plant, helping the villagers rescue one of their own even though none of them would lift a finger to help him if he were in need. In fact, as soon as the crisis was resolved, they’d dispensed without so much as a thank you or a nod to Jasper for his bravery.

  It had been insulting and hurtful to Adeline, and she couldn’t imagine the pain it caused Jasper.

  “Tell me, Miss Adeline, I hope your brother was not overly vexed with you after my departure.” He pulled her a bit closer as he said the word vexed. “It might have been better for all if I’d dropped you in the drive and not complicated your arrival with my presence.”

  But then he would not still be in London and attending her celebration.

  “I fear my brother would be vexed if the sun dared to set a moment early. He’d also, more than likely, find a way to blame me for a summer storm. His contrary nature is something one gets used to.” Adeline hadn’t the need to explain her complicated relationship with Alistair before. Certainly, she loved her brother—and he her—yet, they were uniquely different people. “Alistair and I have been at war since birth. He’s the eldest sibling, and with our father sick more often than not before his death, my brother took his duties as patriarch of the family very seriously. Continues to do so. Heaven help us all if I were in command.”

  “I would never doubt his love for you, and all your siblings,” Jasper sighed. “And I know much about responsibilities and the burden of taking on so much at a young age.”

  The sorrow rolling off his shoulders much like the mists off the Scottish marshlands at dawn had Adeline regretting the choice of topics; however, she did not want Jasper to think less of Alistair. Despite their quickness to anger with one another, they were loyal to a fault.

  “Yes, you and Alistair have much in common,” Adeline agreed by way of steering the conversation to safer ground. “I think you do for your people what Alistair does for us. Though you are not always rewarded for your efforts.”

  Why did pointing out the similarities between Jasper’s and Alistair’s situations have Adeline questioning her exacting treatment of her brother? The family did not call Alistair a beast behind his back, nor did they make light of his hardships.

  Ad
eline must remember that Alistair was not Jasper.

  Though she had much to do with Alistair’s current burdens. Namely, her. She cringed, remembering the hateful words she’d spoke in the study the day before. She might as well have called Alistair a beast.

  Blessedly, their path led them to the main area of the park where people had started arriving for their daily constitution: men and woman on horseback, groups of ladies strolling with parasols raised, and open-air carriages moving at a snail’s pace to allow their occupants the opportunity to socialize and be seen by those present. The hour was still early, but a growing number of Londoners were not averse to braving the chilly, late-morning air for a few hours outdoors.

  Lifting her arm, Adeline waved to Lady Cecilia and her mother, who rode by on horseback. Their townhouse bordered the park to the south, and they commonly stopped to watch Adeline and her friends at their morning practice.

  The women nodded in her direction but did not slow their mounts to visit.

  “I envy your social ease, Miss Adeline,” Jasper said at her side. “I have lived in solitude for so many years, I sometimes forget how to speak with even my servants.”

  “It is quite simple, really. You see, when I feel myself getting nervous around someone, I think what dreadful secrets they keep—some serious, many funny, but always enough to make certain my unease recedes.”

  “Interesting. Do elaborate.”

  Adeline glanced at two men walking, their heads lowered in deep conversation. “Take that pair for example,” she said, nodding in the men’s direction. “One could be a duke and the other a marquis with powerful French relations. But to me, I think, does the man on the left still employ his nursemaid from when he was a babe? And the man on the right, does he have an overwhelming fear of horses?”

  Jasper chuckled, and Adeline’s stomach fluttered. The sound was deep and masculine, but at the same time soothing. “And what of the woman stepping down from that carriage?”

  Adeline turned in the direction Jasper nodded to see a matronly woman alighting from a carriage in pursuit of two young boys, a stern frown on her face and a satchel slung over her shoulder. “Oh, I suspect the woman’s name is something like,”—Adeline paused, tapping her chin in thought—“Myrtle, because for some reason, her mother knew she would be as tall as a tree and lithe in frame. Those children she is chasing belong to her sister, who is traveling through Italy on the arm of a wealthy count. Your turn.”