She pasted a happy smile on her face. “Allow me to introduce you. Lord Anglesey, this is Lord Littleton.”
The men exchanged greetings, but their looks were tense. What could possibly be wrong?
Lord Littleton recovered first and smiled. “I hope you have a pleasant afternoon, Anglesey. The traffic is moving on and so must we.”
Lord Anglesey backed up his horse. “My lady, it was delightful to see you. Littleton, please do not allow me to impede your progress.”
Lord Littleton raised one brow. “Never fear, Anglesey. I do not intend to.”
Adeline looked from one gentleman to the other. Something was going on. If only she knew what it was.
The carriage moved forward, and she was glad to see Henrietta with Lord Fotheringale. Lord Littleton drew up to them, and they all exchanged greetings and discussed the ball they would attend that evening.
As they drove off, he said, “If you have the supper dance free, I would be honored if you would allow me to stand up with you.”
Unfortunately, Adeline had all the sets free. Although Will had said he’d dance with her when she did not have a partner. Earlier, before their carriage ride, she would have thought about making an excuse, but that would have been playing with fire. Even with her success at Almack’s, she could not count on being asked for every dance at the ball. “I would like to dance with you.”
His broad shoulders noticeably relaxed. He had been nervous. Now that was interesting. She was becoming less and less sure that he was a rake. He certainly did not act like her brother did. Perhaps it was time she found out exactly what had occurred between Lord Littleton and her friend. Because if he had set out to break Dorie’s heart, Adeline could never have anything to do with him.
Chapter Six
Crispin was not happy to see Lady Adeline with another gentleman. Especially one as well regarded as Littleton. Even though they had not met before, he had an excellent reputation and was almost as wealthy as the Golden Ball. He’d probably even been invited to the Duchess of Rothwell’s ball this evening, which Crispin had not. Although it would not be difficult to gain entry. It never was at the ton’s large balls.
He glanced at the other man’s curricle and wondered if his father had a sporting carriage. It had not occurred to him that he would require one, but it appeared he did.
As he made his way slowly around the carriageway, he stopped to converse with people he had recently met and some he’d known from Paris. Earlier today, he had been informed that Lady Riverton was not at home. But she was here, riding in an open carriage with another matron.
He rode up to the landau, which had stopped due to the traffic. “My lady, good afternoon.”
Holding her parasol against the weak sun, she inclined her head. “Good day to you, my lord.” She glanced at the woman with her. “Lady Sutton, may I present Lord Anglesey? He has recently returned from Paris.”
Lady Sutton held out one gloved hand, and a slight smile curved her lips. “A pleasure, my lord.” She arched a brow at Sarah, who suddenly found her parasol more interesting than either him or her friend. “My lord, I am giving a small dinner tomorrow evening. I would adore it if you would agree to come.”
He kept his gaze on her ladyship and refused to look at Sarah. The blasted woman was passing him off. He raised the hand still in his fingers and kissed the back of it. “Nothing would please me more.”
Lady Sutton smiled like a cat let into the cream. “Shall I send an invitation to Normanby House?”
“Please do.” He kept her hand for a few moments longer before returning it. If Sarah no longer wished for his company, he had no difficulty accepting her friend’s attentions. “Ladies”—he bowed—“I shall see you later.”
Still, being given his congé from Sarah in such a fashion churned in his gut. Crispin had never had a woman leave him before. He wondered who she would find to replace him, but he’d not go out of his way to discover the information. No doubt it would soon be clear enough. Nevertheless, he had a young lady to court and marry.
Damn Littleton. Crispin must trust that his greater rank and the promise of a marquessate would make him more acceptable, if not to her then to her parents. In the meantime, he would attend the ball this evening and dance with his chosen wife. Yet, the more he thought about it, the more he was certain he’d win her hand. That an eligible peer was interested in Lady Adeline would make his conquest all the sweeter.
After returning home and consulting with his father’s stable master, Crispin was told there was a curricle he could use, as well as a pair of matched bays. By ten that evening—one would not wish to be early to a ball to which one had not been invited—he set out for Grosvenor Square, where he was told Rothwell House was located. However, when he arrived, there was no indication a ball was taking place. In fact, the house was mostly dark. There was an event farther down the square, and, after deciding he had the wrong residence, he went there, but that was not the right house either.
“Devil it.” Had he been told the incorrect date?
Clenching his jaw, he went back home. He’d received several cards earlier today. All he could do was to go through them and try to work out which events Lady Adeline would attend.
* * *
Shortly after Frits returned home from his ride with Lady Adeline, he received a hand-delivered message from Rothwell House, informing him that due to an incident there, the ball had been moved to Worthington House in Berkeley Square. That was a huge undertaking. He hoped the Rothwells’ home was still habitable.
Frits rang for tea, but before he could settle in to work on his correspondence, his mother ambled into the room and made herself comfortable on the small sofa next to the fireplace. Next, his butler appeared with a tea service including two cups.
Giving work up as a lost cause, he moved to a large chair across from her and waited for her to pour.
Once she had given him a cup and prepared her own, she took a small sip. “How did your carriage ride with Lady Adeline fare?”
