“Until then.” Crispin moved on until Mrs. Drummond-Burrell caught his attention. She was a rather homely woman with a long face, riding in a landau with another lady he did not know. Mrs. Drummond-Burrell knew his mother, but, more importantly, she would give him access to Almack’s, thus granting him entrée to all the most eligible ladies. And birth was an essential consideration in a wife to his parents, and therefore to him. His wife’s bloodlines had to be pure. “Ma’am, it is a pleasure to meet you again.”
“Anglesey, I am glad to see you back home again.” She held out her hand, and he made his bow. “Your mother wrote to me saying you would be here.”
“Paris is lovely but nothing can compare with England,” he lied. He’d still be there if not for his mother’s demands.
“Lady Bellamny”—Mrs. Drummond-Burrell glanced at the other lady—“may I make known to you Lord Anglesey?”
The older woman regally inclined her head. “Good day, my lord. I visited your mother before coming to Town.”
He’d been wondering how to bring up his search for a wife. As both ladies obviously knew he was in the market, this was his opportunity. “Did she also tell you that I have been told not to show my face until I am betrothed?”
The woman chuckled. “I believe she did mention something to that effect. Clementina, you will have to send Anglesey a voucher for Almack’s.”
She lifted one thick brow. “Indeed I shall. Are you staying at Normanby House?”
“I am.” Along with the servants his mother trusted would keep an eye on Crispin.
“I shall see you on Wednesday.” She gave the signal for the carriage to move forward.
“I am honored.” He left, making his way past the other carriages. All in all, this had been a productive outing. He was being admitted to Almack’s, he’d seen a lady who interested him, and he had a bed partner for this evening.
Making his way out of the Park, Crispin smiled, nodded, and greeted people he had met on the Continent and was introduced to other members of the ton. Some of them matrons whose eyes signaled their availability. He had resolved to be on his best behavior—most of the time. It would not do for his parents to get word he was raking about Town. That also meant he couldn’t set up a mistress. Even his father—the easier of his parents—had particular ideas about one’s conduct when courting a young lady. For the present, he had the lovely Sarah to satisfy any of those needs, but he could not deny other ladies who wished the pleasure of his company. After all, a man could not be expected to ignore his desires. He would simply have to find a set of rooms or a small house for his liaisons. Somewhere his mother’s servants could not spy on him.
Chapter Three
On Wednesday evening, Adeline stared at herself in the mirror. The pale yellow gown with her pearl earrings and necklace were well enough, but she wished she could wear brighter colors. “Could we put an emerald-green ribbon in my hair?”
Her maid, Fendall, gave her a critical look before shaking her head. “Perhaps a Pomona green ribbon would look better.”
“Anything to brighten me up a bit.” Wearing brighter colors was one of the good things about marrying. At least her mother had not insisted she wear white. That would only serve to make her appear ill. But that might be because Mama did not look good in the color either.
Eugénie, Adeline’s sister-in-law, knocked on the door and entered wearing a deep purple gown and diamonds. With her rich, chestnut hair and brown eyes, her sister-in-law was one of the most beautiful ladies she had ever seen, and Adeline wished she too was beautiful. “Are you about ready to depart? Will is running a finger between his neck and his cravat. One would think I was taking him to his execution.”
Adeline burst out laughing. “He probably thinks you are. I remember Mama complaining that she had had to drag him there one evening, and he never went again.”
“Tant pis.” Eugénie shrugged. “He has nothing about which to be concerned. We are not to dance while chaperoning you.” Stepping over to the toilet table, she looked at Adeline. “Tu es très jolie.”
“But not beautiful.” And she never would be.
“Ah, ma petite.” Her sister-in-law smiled. “You are beautiful to your family and to the man who will love you.” Adeline so wanted that to be true. “Beauty from within is more important than beauty on the outside. Never forget that.” Eugénie stepped back as Fendall finished. “Alors, we must go before your brother loses his courage.” As they made their way down the stairs to the hall where Will was waiting, she said, “I have not been to this place either. It will be the first time for both of us.”
Adeline was convinced that even if her sister-in-law had made her come out in London, she would have walked into Almack’s and immediately taken control of everyone, including the Patronesses. She, on the other hand, was quite nauseous.
The ride to the Assembly Room was mercifully short, and they arrived at the same time as Georgie and her mother, Lady Featherton. “Come.” Georgie linked her arm with Adeline’s. “I have been assured that the worst part of this is waiting to be approved to dance the waltz”—Adeline’s stomach lurched—“and that the Patronesses will ensure that all the ladies just out will be approved.”
“That is reassuring.” As much as she tried to make her voice strong, it was thinner than she liked.
“If it makes you feel better, my mother confirmed that Dorie was right. The bread is stale, the lemonade and tea are weak, and the rooms are not opulent.” Georgie slid Adeline a glance.
She took a breath and let it out. “Fine. I’ll do my best not to be ill.”
As it was, they quickly spotted their other friends and joined the circle being formed.
“Are you excited?” Adeline asked Augusta.
“I am . . . curious.” She was gazing out at the number of people gathering. There had to be at least two hundred already, and guests were still arriving.
“You look like you are making a study of the mating behavior of an unknown civilization.”
