“By punch I assume you mean the strong drink from the West Indies,” Frits clarified.
“Yes, sir.”
He glanced at Adeline. “Have you made a choice?”
“I shall try the parmesan.”
That was a daring selection. He preferred the sweeter ices. “I shall have the vanilla bean.” The waiter ran back into the shop. “If you like, you can try mine.”
“Thank you.” Sitting with her back against the bench, she had a satisfied look on her face. “I like coming here.”
So did he . . . with her. He had a vision of them at Littleton coming up with ideas for ices. What else could he find that she liked?
The ices were delivered, and after Frits finished his, leaving a spoonful or so for Adeline, he watched as she licked the last of the parmesan ice from her spoon. This was torture.
The parmesan was very good, but Adeline liked the Muscadine better. Lord Littleton held out his bowl, and she dipped her spoon into the vanilla bean, then tasted it. “I like this as much as the Muscadine.”
“Wait until you try the chocolate.” His tone was low and gruff. “That should be last.”
He did not look angry or in pain. What could be making him so different? “Are you so sure I will like it the best?”
“I am, but if you do not, it is no matter.” His dimple popped out. Now he was back to normal. “We can’t like all the same things.”
That stopped her. Did they have a preference for so many of the same things? She had been so involved in not wanting to like him, she had not even noticed what they had in common. She wanted to playfully ask him which things he meant, but she was afraid to know the answer.
Coward.
Maybe she was. That did not make her feel better. As much as she had been enjoying her time with Lord Anglesey, it occurred to her that they did not talk about likes and dislikes very much. “I do not think it is possible for two people to enjoy all the same things.”
“You are probably right.” He signaled for the waiter and handed him their bowls. “We should leave before the rest of the ton joins us.”
“I agree.” She definitely did not want Dorie seeing her with Littleton at Gunter’s. That would be awkward.
He gathered the ribbons and started threading them through his fingers, then stopped. “I did ask you for the supper dance this evening, did I not?”
She could not remember. Lord Anglesey had had the last two. Yet, had Lord Littleton asked for this one the night before last? He always did ask for the supper dance, so he must have. Adeline was certain she had not given it to anyone else. She would have remembered if Lord Anglesey had requested it. “You did.”
“Oh, good. I’ve never attended so many balls before. I’m getting confused.” The carriage moved forward. “How is the planning for your come out ball going?”
“Well.” At least she thought it was. “There is a great deal to do. My mother is more worried than am I.”
He looked relieved, but why would he be concerned at all? “Who is standing up with you for your first dance?”
“My father.” At least she thought that was who was leading her out. “Or my brother. They have been going round and round about it. I understand it is usually a family member.”
“I would be honored to dance the supper dance with you.” He had such a boyishly hopeful look on his face, she laughed.
“And I shall accept.” She had missed standing up with him. He always made interesting conversation, and he listened to her. A tinge of guilt struck her, dampening her good mood. Anglesey was a much better match, and he was not a rake. She should be thinking more about him. Not only that, but she was beginning to doubt her first impression of Lord Littleton. He was not acting much like a rake. She must decide soon what to do if Lord Anglesey asked for her hand. “Have you been able to think of anyone whose land marches with Lord Turner’s?”
“It’s something I should know without thinking about it, but for some reason, the knowledge has gone straight out of my head. I’ll look at a map when I am home. If there is an eligible gentleman attached to any of the properties, and he is not in Town, I’ll go drag him here.”
Poor Littleton looked so put upon, she had to laugh. He gave her a wounded look, and she struggled to bring herself under control and not go off into whoops. “I am sorry. It is not funny and I should not act as if it is.”
“I depend upon you to watch out for me.”
Good Lord. He was serious.
“Just make sure you are always with either me or one of your friends and you will be safe until we can find a solution.”
