“I’ll see you at Brooks’s in just under an hour.” Frits saluted his friend as he rode toward Grosvenor Square.
Maybe he should just go home again. Then the image of a pair of intelligent, silvery gray eyes formed in his brain. On the other hand, perhaps he’d stay and see what happened. There was just something about Lady Adeline—beyond her lips and breasts—that made him want to know her better. The one difficulty was that she was a friend of Lady Dorie’s, and that wouldn’t help him at all.
Chapter Two
Adeline almost gasped at Dorie’s comment about Lord Littleton. Only by giving him the cut direct could she have insulted him more. He must have done something horrible to her.
Yet, despite her friend’s obvious dislike of the man, Adeline could not help but notice Lord Littleton as he rode away. He sat his horse as if he’d been born riding. And that horse. She had seen pictures of Friesians before, but had never seen a real one. She would have loved to have been able to at least stroke the magnificent animal. If not for watching the horse trot toward them, she would have failed to notice how Lord Littleton’s broad shoulders flexed under the well-fitting jacket, and his muscular legs incased in the tight pantaloons were works of art. When he had gazed at her, a lock of his curling black hair had fallen forward, making her want to touch it. And as their eyes met, his emerald ones seemed to warm, making her feel as if she was the only lady, the only person, he could see. Then a dimple appeared on his left cheek. It was a shame he was ineligible; he really was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
“What makes him ineligible?” Georgie asked more bluntly than Adeline ever would have put it.
Adeline glanced at Dorie, waiting to hear the answer.
“He has no desire to marry.” Her tone was sharp and bitter. “But he will make a lady think she is his sun, moon, and stars.”
In other words, a rake.
Adeline bit down on her lip. Dorie was probably not the only lady he had led on. Adeline knew all about rakes: men who merely played with a lady’s heart and did not care how badly he hurt her. Her brother Wivenly had been one, and he’d broken a lot of hearts. At least, that is what she had gathered from overhearing parts of her parents’ conversations. He had even offered to ruin a lady and not marry her.
As far as she was concerned, they did not make good husbands. Not that her brother would stray. He was devoted to his wife, but he certainly was not a comfortable man. She was sure that came from being a rake and having his way for far too long.
Adeline was not exactly certain what she wanted, but she knew she did not wish for a life like her mother’s. She might not know everything she wanted in a gentleman, but she knew what she did not want, and a rake was at the top of the list, followed by excesses in drinking, gambling, wenching, club attendance, and politics. She wished for a gentleman who did not pull-cuffs with her every time she turned around, but could enjoy a quiet evening and remain in the country most of the year. Unlike her mother, she would spend time with her children. And she would have a dog—in the house. Something that she had never been allowed to have.
That Lord Littleton was a rake was more than a bit disappointing. He was very handsome. Adeline mentally crossed him off her list of none. In any event, it would have been too much to hope that she would meet her true love on her first stroll in the Park.
Ah, well, she sighed to herself. There would be other fish in the sea.
Another gentleman rode up and was introduced as Lord Turley. He was good-looking as well, though his fair, blond looks were not nearly as compelling as Lord Littleton’s black hair and emerald-green eyes. But most rakes were handsome and interesting. That was the only way they got away with breaking hearts. Lord Turley was much safer, but Georgie seemed interested in him, and Adeline did not wish to run afoul of her new friend. She was fortunate to have found four ladies she got on so well with in such a short time. She let out a soft sigh. At least she knew which gentleman she would avoid.
The talk turned to Almack’s and balls, particularly Augusta’s come out ball, which would be the first to be held. Adeline’s was not until a few weeks later. They also discussed ways to protect each other from unwanted attention from gentlemen.
Apparently Lord Littleton was not the only rake in Town. “We could even think up some scenarios to help each other,” she suggested. “Augusta, can you arrange for us to come to Rothwell House so that we can learn where everything is?”
“Of course,” Augusta agreed, but appeared confused. “How will that aid us when we will not know the other houses?”
“We will practice slipping away to be found.” Not that Adeline thought she had anything to worry about. She was passably pretty, but not beautiful like her friends were.
“Like the game Sardines,” Augusta said. Adeline had never heard of the game. Fortunately, her friend saw their confused expressions and explained, “In Sardines, one person hides and the others find her. It is played in Spain.”
“Sardines it is.” Henrietta laughed.
It did sound like fun. Adeline looked forward to learning how to help her friends avoid rakes.
“Will you attend Almack’s this week?” Augusta’s forehead had furrowed. She really wasn’t looking forward to going.
“I’ll be there with Dotty and Merton.” Henrietta used a reassuring tone. “It will be interesting. Think of it as an experiment.”
“I suppose I could do that.” Augusta did not sound convinced.
“Interesting is one way to put it,” Georgie muttered. “I hear that the refreshments leave much to be desired. My mother, brother, and sister will escort me.”
“Caro and Huntley are bringing me.” Dorie’s nose wrinkled. “Supper consists of thinly sliced stale bread and butter, weak tea, and orgeat.”
It appeared as if all of them were being accompanied by their brothers or sisters. Adeline had wanted her mother to attend with her for the first time, but Mama had a political event she was helping to host. If Adeline heard another word about politics she was going to—to—well, she would have to think of something that was not too painful as she would no doubt be unable to avoid that topic. The Lords was in session, and most peers were involved in government.
“I will be there with my brother and sister-in-law. Wivenly complained about going, but Eugénie said he could remain home if he wished, and she would dance with whom she pleased.” Remembering the look of pure outrage on his face, Adeline had to giggle. “She says it in such a way that makes one think she doesn’t care one way or the other, but my brother hates whenever another gentleman stands up with her. So, he will escort us.” Not that he would be much help when it came to knowing who was eligible and who was not. It was most depressing. How was she supposed to know who to encourage and who to discourage? Well, that was what friends were for. Especially Dorie. This was her second Season, and that gave her a great deal of knowledge Adeline and the others did not have.
As they strolled farther, Georgie fell in beside Adeline. “You look blue-deviled,” Georgie said. “Did you not wish to come to Town?”
