“Yes,” Eugénie agreed. “I would enjoy that as well.”
“I shall discover what is playing.” Mama sat back against the plush swabs. “I do enjoy a good comedy.”
* * *
That evening they all attended Mrs. Brownly’s musical evening. Glancing around, Adeline found her friends and walked over to join them. From the corner of her eye, she saw Lord Littleton standing with Lord Turley.
The moment she reached Dorie and Henrietta, she was told they needed to think of ladies for Lord Exeter.
“But which gentleman is he?” Even though Adeline had heard a great deal about his lordship, she had no idea what he looked like.
“The tall man speaking with Lord Huntingdon near the stairs,” Henrietta said.
She followed the line of her friend’s gaze. The gentleman in question was tall and broad shouldered, with dark brown hair. “He’s quite exceptional-looking. Dorie, are you sure you are not interested?”
“Positive.” She focused on Adeline. “Are you interested in him?”
“Er, no.” Just the thought of taking on so much responsibility put her off. She wanted something simple. “I am not ready to act as a mother to almost grown children.”
The others joined them and inspected Lord Exeter as well; then they settled down to seriously consider ladies who might suit him. When the rest of the guests started making their way to the drawing room, Adeline watched with some appreciation his skill as Lord Exeter adroitly managed to sit with Dorie during the first performance. Yet she was not nearly as pleased when Lord Littleton joined her and her friends. The next time, she would not be the last one into the row of seats.
Yet instead of trying to engage only her in conversation, he addressed his remarks to all the ladies. “I was privileged to attend the opera in which she sang last year. It was truly amazing. Grown men were weeping.”
“My sister said the exact same thing,” Henrietta commented. “I am looking forward to her performance.”
Lady Brownly stood in front of the small stage, and everyone quieted as she introduced Mrs. Fodor. The music started, and she began to sing.
By the time the piece was done, Adeline understood why the singer was so popular.
A short time after the first song had finished and Lord Littleton had left, Dorie joined them. “Please do not leave me alone with Exeter.”
“You will have to be first to find your chair the next time,” Henrietta said.
They made their way to the supper room, and Adeline was surprised to see Lords Littleton and Turley, who had been in conversation with her brother and his friends, join them. She and the other ladies quickly formed a group at one end of the table, making sure that one or the other of their brothers was between them and the interlopers. Then Dorie’s mother entered the supper room, accompanied by Lord Exeter. That was interesting. Did it mean that Lady Huntingdon thought he would be a suitable match for her daughter?
Next to her, Georgie said, “I know she does not wish to be with Lord Exeter, and I feel as if I am a disloyal friend, but I have the sense that Dorie and Lord Exeter would make a good match.”
Adeline had wondered about that very same thing. “Why is that?”
“My brother was talking about him, and everything he mentioned seemed to march well with what Dorie wants in a husband. I think she is afraid to trust her heart because of what happened with Lord Littleton last year.”
Perhaps this was Adeline’s opportunity to discover more about that particular story. “I heard that he was close to offering for her, then left Town.”
“According to what I heard, there were several problems on his estates, and he had to leave to attend to them.” Georgie frowned. “That, however, does not explain why he did not renew his attentions afterward. Although, from what I have heard about him, I do not think it would have been a good match.”
Clearly, Adeline was not going to learn the truth until one or the other of them said something more to the point. That something had happened was clear. It was also plain that neither Georgie, Henrietta, nor Adeline had the full story. She glanced at Dorie and said a prayer that she would find her perfect gentleman. Thinking of gentlemen, she had not seen Lord Anglesey this evening. Did he not like musical evenings?
Once supper had ended, they all went back into the drawing room to listen to Mrs. Fodor again. This time, Dorie and Adeline were the first to enter the row of chairs. She felt a little cowardly about her behavior, but avoiding Lord Littleton was the best course. She liked his conversation too much. And his dog. She could happily have spent the rest of the day with Maximus.
* * *
Frits leaned against the back wall, considering his conversation with Exeter about Lady Dorie when Turley joined him.
“You don’t look as if you’re having a good time.” He propped himself up against the wall as well.
“The music is excellent.” Frits couldn’t stop himself from glancing to where Adeline sat with her friends and not him. “The company is another matter.”
“Am I being insulted?” His friend folded his arms across his chest.
