“I take it that plan didn’t work?”
“No. I let”—he was about to say “lust,” but considering Exeter was trying to court Lady Dorie, he probably wouldn’t take that very well—“attraction get in the way of good sense.”
“She is beautiful, isn’t she?” The man had a moonstruck look on his face.
“She is, but what is more important is that you want the same things in life.” Exeter glanced at Frits as if he did not understand. “You want to be involved in politics, and she wants to be a political hostess. And your political views are the same. That sort of thing.”
Exeter smiled proudly, as if the lady was already his. “I could see her having Whig parties even if I had not decided to switch parties.”
“That would have been interesting,” Frits muttered to himself. “Fortunately, you have no need to worry about it.”
“I thought all of Lady Dorie’s friends were interested in being politically involved.”
He shook his head. “Not Lady Adeline.” And thank the Lord for that piece of luck. The way he was starting to feel about her, he didn’t think she would be nearly as easy to give up as Lady Dorie had been. And he had no intention of running away from her. “She prefers the country.” And liked stories about pigs and walking his dog. “If only I—never mind.” He’d drive himself mad if he continued to focus on his mistakes. What he needed was a plan. One that was actually feasible. “What are you going to do about Lady Dorie?”
Exeter leaned forward. “There is a matter with which she can help me, and I am going to use that time to . . . well, not seduce her, as we will be in her family’s house and chaperoned, but make her more aware of me.”
“In other words, spend more time with her, but not in the Park, where most of the ton is.” Exeter nodded, and Frits was reminded that he needed to ask his mother to plan an outing at Vauxhall. “An excellent idea.”
“I did try to convince her father to arrange a match, but he refused.”
Frits covered his mouth so that his laughter wouldn’t be heard all over the club. “I cannot imagine what would happen if anyone attempted to force Lady Dorie into a marriage she did not want. I’m quite sure for all Lady Adeline’s gentle ways, she would be as stubborn as a goat about it.” He drained his glass. “By the way, when is Dursley due back?”
Exeter was helping Miss Chatham avoid Lytton until the gentleman she wanted to marry, Lord Dursley, returned to England. Exeter scowled. “Not soon enough, which is making my problem with Lady Dorie all the more difficult.”
“Perhaps not.” Frits recalled how he’d helped Elizabeth Harrington and her husband before they married. “Sometimes it takes another person’s interest to spark a flame that was banked.”
“I hope you’re right.” They stood at the same time. “I have a carriage ride for which to prepare.”
“As do I.” And another visit to Gunter’s. Maybe ices were the path to Adeline’s heart.
Then what Exeter had said struck Frits. So far, he had been lucky that he and Adeline, except for one time, had not been in the Park when Lady Dorie was there. “What time are you going?”
“Five o’clock. Why”—Exeter glanced at his pocket watch—“Damn. I can’t be late. You know how she is about punctuality.”
“I’ll try to think of something.” Ices before the ride might work. Yet the best thing was to take her somewhere else.
“Good luck,” Exeter said in a heartfelt tone as they reached Piccadilly to proceed in separate directions.
“Thank you,” Frits answered. “I just need to think.” Although, he hadn’t had much success with that.
By the time he reached his house, he’d come up with an idea. He’d received the plan for his new curricle several days ago, and he was overdue for a trip to the carriage maker. Perhaps Adeline would like to come with him. But first he’d ask his mother if there was anything improper with his scheme.
“Creswell.” Frits handed his hat, cane, and gloves to his butler. “Is her ladyship in?”
“She returned a few minutes ago, my lord. I believe she is in the morning room.”
Frits headed to the back of the house. His mother was seated at a small cherrywood table, writing. “Mama?”
“Give me a moment.” She sanded the paper and sealed it. “What can I do for you?”
“First, tell me if there is any impropriety in my taking Lady Adeline to the carriage maker in Long Acre instead of the Park, and second, tell me if you can arrange a party to Vauxhall.”
She pursed her lips in thought, then shook her head. “I cannot think of anything wrong with a trip to Long Acre, provided she agrees to go. As for Vauxhall, I believe that would be a splendid idea. I shall look into booking a box early next week.”
“Before her come out ball?”
“Yes. Her mother thinks she is nervous about it. This and the theater will be just what is needed to take her mind off the ball.”
