Her shoulders felt as if a load of stones had been removed. “Yes, I would like that immensely.” He started the horses. “It is far?”
“Not particularly. It will probably take us the same amount of time to go there, look at the curricle, and return as it would to get most of the way around the Park.”
“Excellent.” She smiled in relief. “It will be fun to do something different.”
When Adeline grinned at Frits, the slightly hazy day became much brighter. Thank the Lord she had suggested they not go to the Park. “How did you spend your day?”
“Shopping.” Her face scrunched up adorably. “I suppose I should tell you that there is another scheme afoot to compromise you into marriage. The only problem is that I do not know which of the two ladies it is. I should be able to ascertain that this evening.”
Frits forced himself to frown instead of smiling. It was about time Fate decided to be kind to him. If Adeline was going to spend her time protecting him, he could not be even the slightest bit upset. Still, he made a point of heaving a huge sigh. “I do not understand why this happens. Or what I can do to stop it.”
“Well, I am not sure there is anything you can do to make them cease. In this case, it is occurring because you apparently share a boundary with Lord Turner.”
“We do. Our families have been friends for generations.” Frits didn’t understand. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Have you met Miss Tice and Miss Martindale?”
“Yes, I have met both of the ladies, and Turner made me known to Miss Martindale again.” He glanced at Adeline. “He is very taken with her.”
“That is our answer. They are almost inseparable. And they wish to wed gentlemen whose holdings are close together.” So much for trying to avoid the ladies. They had turned on to Piccadilly and he had to thread the carriage through a narrow space between two wagons that had stopped on either side of the street. “That was well done,” she said approvingly. “Therefore, as Miss Martindale and Lord Turner appear to be forming a connection, she is looking for a gentleman for her friend.”
“I have no words.” Or he had plenty of them, but none he could say with Adeline present.
“Is there another gentleman you can think of who would meet the requirements?” Adeline glanced at him hopefully. “If we can find another prospect, she might leave you alone.”
We.
She had used the word “we.”
The word struck him so forcefully, he had to think about the rest of what she’d said. “Let me ponder it when I’m not distracted by traffic.”
She looked around. “And to think I thought the Park was crowded. There are so many different types of vehicles.”
London streets were always busy. He took them for granted, but it was interesting seeing them from her point of view. Despite the traffic, it wasn’t long before they reached the carriage maker. She was staring at the large building and the various vehicles when he surprised her by lifting her down. He smiled to himself when she sucked in a breath. For all her curves, her waist was small enough that he could put his hands almost all the way around it. He held her so that they were face-to-face, becoming lost in the way her silvery eyes looked at him. They reminded him of the sun glinting off a sword.
“You really should put me down.” Her voice was breathy and dry at the same time. He must be having an effect on her. One he hoped Anglesey wasn’t having.
“Of course.” Frits lowered her gently, wishing he had an excuse to bring her close enough that their bodies touched on the slow slide down. He could imagine her arms around his neck and their lips touching. If only she was wearing short stays, he could feel more of her well-rounded body. Thinking of that. When had she changed from short stays?
“My lord.” The sharpness in Adeline’s tone made him drop his hands and offer his arm.
“Let’s find the owner.” He led her into the massive front doors.
“I’ve never seen so many different types of carriages.” This time her voice was filled with wonder. “How much fun it would be to design one’s own coach.”
A clerk came up to them. “May I help you?”
“Yes. I am Lord Littleton. I’d like to know if Mr. Hatchett is available.”
“He’s out at the moment, my lord. I am his son. I will be happy to show you the work that’s been done on your carriage.”
“Thank you. That’s the reason I came.”
The man glanced at Adeline. “I’m afraid it’s not very clean. The lady might want to have a cup of tea in the office.”
“I am sure I shall be fine.” She gave the clerk a polite smile. “I am extremely interested in seeing the vehicle. I have only seen finished ones.”
“If you’re sure”—Hatchett the Younger’s tone indicated he thought she’d be unhappy with her decision—“then follow me.” He led them into the back, and the man hadn’t been exaggerating. Workers were in the process of building various carriages, and at one point they had to walk through sawdust. He stopped at the side of the curricle. The body had been completed, and the bench for the driver attached, but two men were frowning over the box that had been installed behind the bench. “Here you are, my lord.”
