“Nothing.” He turned his attention to her. “Something caught my eye and I was attempting to discover what it was that appeared odd.”
“As far as I am concerned, there are a great many things that are odd.” Her disgusted tone made him smile.
“Indeed.” He led her into a twirl.
“What do you think of Lord Belmont for Miss Hanson?” Rotating around, he glanced in the direction Adeline was looking. “He seems to meet her requirements.”
“He’s not as rich as Croesus, but he is wealthy enough.” His family was good. He was well liked, and women thought he was handsome.
“And she seems to be enjoying his company.” Adeline glanced at Frits. “I think she stood up with him because she wished to and not because she had to.”
She was correct. The smile on the lady’s face was not merely polite. “What an astute observation.”
“That might mean we just have to worry about Miss Tice.” That lady was dancing with Lord Bottomley, and her smile was definitely not one of joy.
“Will you bring the other gentleman with you tomorrow?” Adeline’s thoughtful look was on her face.
Frits was not at all certain he could easily convince Fitzwalter to come. It might take drastic measures. Still, even if the lady was not as beautiful as Adeline, Miss Tice was pretty. He wondered why she had not taken better; then he remembered that she was only interested in gentlemen who lived near her friend’s potential new home. “If I have to tie him up and cart him there.”
Adeline’s laugh was like the tinkling of small bells, and it warmed his heart and other parts of his body as well. He caught sight of Anglesey and the lady again, and Frits realized what it was he saw. If they weren’t having an affair, he was still a green lad. It was all there: the lips close to an ear, the man’s slow perusal of the lady’s bosom, and the way Lady Holloway dropped her gaze. He knew if he followed either of them after the ball, he’d find them together. And to think the curst rum touch had the gall to keep bothering Adeline when he had a lover.
“What are you looking at?” Adeline appeared perplexed.
“I solved what had puzzled me earlier, and it is nothing.” Nothing he’d tell her, in any event.
“That is good.” She grinned. “It has occurred to me that if Miss Hanson has found her match, and Miss Tice can be as easily dealt with, you will not have to remain with me at balls and other entertainments.”
Frits just kept his jaw from dropping to the floor. Devil it! He’d not even considered the consequences of having no lady attempting to trap him. Of course, Adeline thought he was staying with her because of the threats to himself. What was he to do when he didn’t have the excuse?
“Er, I suppose so.” He damned sure wasn’t going to agree with her. “I do like your company.”
A polite mask dropped over her mien. “I wonder if they will have lobster patties this evening.”
Hell and perdition.
He was going to have to think of something soon. “If they do, I will ensure you have several.”
The edges of her lips wanted to tip up. They were trembling, and he silently cheered them on. But they lost the battle. “Thank you.”
Frits turned his mind to supper. If Lady Dorie was with Fotheringale, she would not be helping Adeline avoid him. He’d have to be sure to secure his chair before going to get their food. Frits was tired of being relegated to the other end of the table. He’d had too much fun talking with her and her family the other night. The set ended, and he slowly escorted her back to her brother and sister-in-law, all the while thinking of ways to achieve his immediate goal.
When they reached her family, her sister-in-law took Adeline aside. What was that about?
A moment later, a broad smile appeared on her face, and she came back to him. “I have been told that Gunter’s has supplied the ices for this evening.”
Frits’s lips curled up as well. “Would you like one of each flavor?”
“Do you think I could?” Her expression was almost childlike in its wonder. Then her eyes dimmed a bit. “Without appearing to be too greedy?”
“If we share them, no one will think you are gluttonous. They will think I am.”
“We do not need to taste the ices we already have.” Ah, she was becoming interested in how to do this and not garner attention.
“Indeed. I shall only choose the ones you have not sampled.”
Her eyes were shining again. “Yes. That will work.”
All he had to do was try to sit as far away from Lady Dorie and Fotheringale as possible. Just then, his mother, Lady Watford, and Lady Huntingdon joined the group. “I thought my mother was at a dinner this evening.”
