“Why don’t you ask your mother?” Turley finished his wine and set the glass on the sideboard. “She always knows everything.”
“I will, but I wish to cast a wider net.” Frits strained to hear whether the music had begun again.
“Let me ask some discreet questions when I’m at my club or at the Lords.” Turley gave him a long look. “At least you’re consistent.”
Now what was Turley about? “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You go after a lady with the same single-mindedness as you ran away from one. I must admit that although you danced attendance on Lady Dorie last Season, you did not pursue her as you have Lady Adeline.”
“Thank you.” Frits heard the faint sound of music. “I think the next set has begun.” Maybe this time he could remain with Adeline the rest of the evening.
Chapter Nineteen
When Adeline came back into the ballroom, she glanced around for Littleton and did not see him. Surely he had not gone off by himself. He might be a rake, but that did not mean he was stupid. “Where did Lord Littleton go?”
Her brother lifted his quizzing glass to his eye, seemed to change his mind, and dropped it. “He grabbed Turley and left. Something about not wanting to meet Miss Tice.”
“Oh, that’s good, then.” Adeline let out the breath she was holding. She was glad he had taken a friend with him.
Her brother fixed her with a hard stare. “Adeline, what exactly is going on?”
She debated telling Will. If anyone had knowledge of what Littleton should do, he would. Before tonight, she would not have thought to confide in him, but that had changed. “There are two ladies attempting to make him marry them. Do you have any advice you can give him?”
“I wish I did. I left England, but that won’t work for most gentlemen.” Her brother heaved a heartfelt sigh. “I’ll tell you, young ladies can be the very dev—persistent.”
“So I have noticed.” The prelude for the next set began, and her dance partner approached and bowed.
When she returned to her family after the dance, she was pleased to see Littleton was present; unfortunately, so was Lord Anglesey. Adeline hoped they would not snipe at each other again.
“Lady Adeline.” He swept her a bow. “I am here to request the supper dance at tomorrow evening’s ball.”
“Sorry, Anglesey,” Littleton said. “She has promised that set to me.”
Adeline ground her back teeth. She was going to murder Littleton. Smiling warmly at Lord Anglesey, she said, “Perhaps the quadrille, my lord.”
“I would be honored.” He glared at Littleton. “My lady, are you free for a ride in the Park?”
“Not tomorrow. I have plans.” That was the truth. She was walking with Georgie and the others.
“The next day?” Lord Anglesey’s eyes narrowed at Littleton.
She was glad she did not have to accept Littleton’s request for a ride, yet she could not like the way his lordship was making this a contest. “Yes, I am available.”
“Thank you.” He bowed again and took himself off.
For Littleton’s part, he scowled at Lord Anglesey’s back. What was between the two of them?
“I don’t like him,” Littleton said, as if he could read her mind.
“Do you know of anything against him?” Adeline held her breath. Surely there was nothing wrong with Lord Anglesey. He was younger than some of the other gentlemen and had not been on the Town very long, but that must be to his benefit. He would have been less likely to engage in bad behavior than the gentleman standing before her had. In fact, he was perfectly charming, and he was so very handsome, with his Byronic looks and golden hair.
Littleton shook his head. “No.”
“Well, then.” Adeline stifled her sigh of relief. She had been correct. There was no reason she should not look to Lord Anglesey as a possible mate. “I have no excuse not to stand up with him or ride with him.”
He inclined his head, as if to acknowledge the truth of her statement. “I’ve asked Lord Turley to help me find a husband for Miss Hanson.”
Will glanced sharply at Littleton. “Well done. That was one thing I never thought to do.”
