“Is there a problem?” Frits asked the workers.
“I think we need to know more about the dog what’s goin’ inside the box,” the older man with lightly graying hair said.
He put his hand on the top part of his hip. “His back is to here.”
The younger man’s jaw dropped. “That’s a big ’un.”
Adeline strolled around the carriage. “How are you going to get him up and into the box?”
The older man scratched his head. “That’s a good question, miss.”
And one Frits had not thought through. He had told Mr. Hatchett that Maximus was a Great Dane, but had not told him how large the dog was.
She pointed at the side of the box. “Could you make one of the sides a door and have steps going up to it?”
That was something Frits should have thought of. He glanced at the older worker. “I can’t see a problem with that suggestion. Can you?”
“No, my lord.” The man shook his head consideringly. “I think that’ll work fine.”
Frits bowed to her. “My thanks for solving the problem.”
“It was my pleasure.” Adeline smiled brightly.
“When do you think it’ll be finished?” Now that he’d seen it, he couldn’t wait to drive it.
“Another week should do it,” the older man said. “We need to paint it before we add the leather.”
“That will do. Thank you for your work.”
Adeline seemed to have a skip in her step as they walked out of the building. “What color will you paint it?”
“A deep green. The leather will be medium brown.” He smiled. “My housekeeper is having a pillow made for the bottom of Maximus’s box so that it can be washed.”
“That is a good idea.” Frits lifted her into the carriage and she scowled at him. “I am perfectly capable of getting in myself.”
He knew she would object at some point and had his answer ready. “But that takes too much time. One must let the steps down and put them back up again.”
She opened her lovely, deep pink lips and closed them again, shook her head, and gave him a skeptical look. All the while he maintained what he hoped to be an innocent expression. “If you would like, one day we can test my theory.”
Adeline smiled sweetly, and he knew that what was going to come out of her mouth was not going to be at all sweet. “I think that is an excellent idea, my lord. Perhaps when you take me home we can time it.”
“Perhaps. First, we must make our traditional stop at Gunter’s.” He climbed into the carriage and started the pair. “What flavor will you choose today?”
“I do not know.” She tilted her head to one side. “What do you recommend?”
“The lavender is nice and light. You might like it. My favorite is chocolate.”
“I think my favorite one will be Muscadine, but I must sample the others first.” The sun decided to make a stronger showing, and she opened her parasol.
If he looked closely, he could see very faint freckles on her face. She was most likely trying to avoid them darkening. It wouldn’t bother him if they were more noticeable. He liked freckles.
He avoided Oxford Street on their way back to Mayfair, thus missing much of the traffic. Soon, he pulled up outside of Gunter’s.
A waiter ran up to them. “What may I bring you?”
“What flavors do you have today?” He’d forgotten to mention to Adeline that the flavors changed.
“Today I can offer you bergamot and punch, royal cream, chocolate, burnt filbert, parmesan, lavender, violet, orange flower, and vanilla bean.”
