Her friend grinned. “I suppose in a way I am. I find many of the ton’s mannerisms curious.”
“Lords Turley and Littleton are coming toward us,” Georgie whispered and glanced at Dorie, who was talking to a worthy-looking gentleman.
Adeline slid a look across the Assembly Room. Drat. Georgie was right. To make it worse, he was even better-looking in evening clothes. No rakes. “I have no objection to Lord Turley, but I do not wish to have anything to do with Lord Littleton.”
“You cannot refuse to dance with him.” Georgie’s tone had lowered even more.
“If he even asks me.” Perhaps he would not. “He might ask you or Augusta instead.”
“I do not think so.” She pasted a polite smile on her face and curtseyed. “My lord. Good evening.”
Lord Turley bowed. “Miss Featherton, might I ask you for this dance?”
“It would be my pleasure.” He held out his arm and she took it, leaving Adeline to face Lord Littleton all by herself.
“My lady”—his voice was low and seductive, just like a rake’s, and his bow was elegant, but it was his deep, meadow-green eyes that held her plain gray ones as they had that afternoon. They still made her feel as if she was the only lady he saw. “Would you do me the honor of being my partner?”
She curtseyed and kept her tone cool. “I would be pleased”—not delighted—“to dance with you, my lord.”
Those same eyes that had affected her a moment before now had a cynical cast as he held out his arm. “Thank you, my lady.”
At least he seemed to understand that she was not the type of female who would fall into his arms. Not to mention he had hurt her friend’s feelings last year and was not on her list of gentlemen to wed.
When they reached the dance floor, she was thankful the set was a country dance that required them to change partners. As he had asked her for this dance, he would not be able to ask her to stand up with him again this evening. A situation that suited her very well. What she did not understand was why her hand began to tingle when it touched his muscular arm. Not only that, but the tingling had spread through her fingers. Much like the electrical current she felt at times when she touched one of the barn cats during the winter. Adeline was positive he had caused it in some way; she just did not know how he could have done it.
As they skipped around the floor, she could not help but be impressed with his lordship’s grace. Although she had noticed that many large men—including her brother—were equally agile. No doubt the ability to dance well was part of a rake’s required accomplishments. Adeline wondered if there was a list or a guide they all followed. Something entitled How to Be a Successful Rake. Perhaps she and her friends could write a pamphlet on ways to recognize and avoid rakes. It would help a lot of ladies avoid falling victim to them.
They came together again and he took her hands. “Have you seen much of London?”
“Only if you consider the shopping areas ‘much.’” Adeline had a list of places she wanted to visit before leaving the metropolis.
Lord Littleton grinned, and the dimple made an appearance. It was extremely unfair for men with strong jaws to have a dimple. It made them look much too safe. Something she knew his lordship was not. “Perhaps you will allow me to get up a party and escort you to one of the museums.”
Before she could deny that she wished to go anywhere with him, the movement of the reel separated them again. When they came together again he did not mention his plan but turned the subject to the unseasonable cold. “I am concerned for the crops if this weather continues.”
That was safe ground. “I cannot fault you for that. I would not wish to see another summer like we had two years ago.”
“Indeed.” His eyes twinkled at her like polished emeralds. “It would be calamitous.”
“I agree.” Why was he giving her such a look of approval?
“Tell me, my lady, do you enjoy the theater?” The music ended and he bowed while she curtseyed.
“I have only seen some traveling troupes my father hires to visit our market town. But I have enjoyed their performances.”
“I am partial to comedies. Do you like them as well?”
“Oh, yes.” They were her favorites. She did not understand how one could enjoy a tragedy nearly as much. “The troupe last summer performed A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The presentation was wonderful.”
He held out his arm and she lightly placed her fingers on it, not wanting to experience the tingling sensation she’d had when he led her out to dance. Yet even now, sparks were popping.
This could not be good.
It was probably no more than an electrical charge. There was nothing else it could be. They were almost to Will and Eugénie; then she would take her hand from his arm and it would all be over.
* * *
Frits had stopped to suck in a breath when he spotted Lady Adeline across the room at Almack’s. She had been pretty when he’d first met her, but now she was beautiful. He had been right about her bosoms. They were truly splendid. And the candles picked out her hair’s golden hue, making it shimmer.
