They reached the Park and joined the throng on the carriageway. Several people greeted them, and Georgie and Lord Turley came up beside them so that she could say good day to Adeline.
Littleton joined them. He was riding the black gelding he’d ridden when they first met. She would like to go riding more often, but her mother did not approve of anything faster than a sedate trot in Town. “He is a handsome lad. What is his name?”
“Thank you.” He stroked the horse’s neck. “This is Apollo. His mother is one of our mares.”
“Good afternoon, Littleton.” Lord Anglesey’s tone conveyed his irritation. “We must not hold up traffic.”
“I completely agree.” Littleton smiled pleasantly as he kept pace with the carriage. “Holding up any of the older matrons is certain to draw a rebuke.”
“Don’t you have somewhere else to be?” Lord Anglesey’s jaw tightened.
“Not at all,” Littleton responded, as if the other man had not just tried to hint him away. “I’m happy to keep you company.”
He was incorrigible, but Adeline had a hard time not laughing and kept her mouth tightly closed. As he kept up a stream of small talk, Lord Anglesey became sulky. For the first time, she wondered how old he was. He certainly did not have the address of Littleton or indeed any of his friends. How had she not noticed that before?
They had arrived at the gate when Littleton executed a bow. “My lady, until this evening. Anglesey, it’s been a pleasure.”
Anglesey mumbled something she was sure would have made her ears burn.
She met Littleton’s gaze, and his green eyes brimmed with laughter. “I shall see you later, my lord.”
“He must be the thickest-headed man I have ever met,” Lord Anglesey muttered as he drove out of the Park. “Why did he not leave?”
That was actually a very good question. Why had Littleton remained with them? Adeline knew the men did not like each other and, even though she enjoyed Littleton’s company, it was clear Lord Anglesey did not. And Littleton knew it. Had it simply been to irritate the man, or was it something else entirely? Perhaps she would ask him this evening.
“I am sorry our ride was ruined,” Lord Anglesey said. “Is it possible that you have a dance available this evening?”
She did feel sorry for Anglesey. He had been making an effort to engage her attention, and she had the feeling he had made up his mind to get to know her better. She was glad about that. “Yes, I have the second country dance.”
“Thank you.” He flashed her a smile. “I believe you were telling me why you enjoy the country more than Town before we were interrupted.”
Only if one could call entering the Park an interruption. But perhaps she was being too harsh. “As I said, there are more restrictions here. When I am at home, I can walk and ride by myself. Here I must have a footman or a groom accompany me. Even when I go shopping with my friends, footmen must be in attendance.” Although, she had to admit, they were sometimes helpful. “Therefore, one must plan everything in advance.”
Anglesey’s brow furrowed. “I would have thought you’d be accompanied by a maid instead of a footman.”
She had seen maids accompanying other ladies. “I do not know why it is, but my parents and those of my friends all insist on footmen. I cannot imagine any of the maids would have time to attend me. They have too much to do.”
He nodded. “Now that I consider it, the maids do seem always to be busy.”
Something in the way he spoke made her think that he never considered such things. But why would he, when he had been traveling so much? “What do you like best about the country?”
“The beauty of nature and the fresh air. One need never be concerned about the smoke.”
That was true. Still, she felt as if he was repeating what someone else had said. “What do you do while at home?”
“I have not been there since I began my Grand Tour.” He pulled his curricle to a stop in front of Watford House, quickly hopped down, and came to her side of the carriage. Instead of putting down the carriage steps and assisting her to the pavement, he waited for the footman to do it. Only then did he escort her to the door.
She had been on several carriage rides this Season, and this was the first time the gentleman had waited for a footman. Adeline gave herself an inner shake. Perhaps he was raised more formally than the other gentlemen she had met.
Taking her hand, Anglesey bowed. “Thank you for your delightful company, my lady.”
“Thank you for yours, my lord.” Adeline curtseyed.
“I look forward to our dance this evening.”
“Yes indeed.” She entered the house feeling as if something was missing; then she knew exactly what it was. They had not gone to Gunter’s. She hoped there were ices this evening. Littleton had her supper set, and if there were any, he would see to them.
Adeline halted on the stairs. It was strange how Littleton crept into her thoughts. She continued up toward her room. In fact, he spent too much time occupying her mind. Every time she thought she had banished him, he came back. Of course, it did not help that he seemed to physically insert himself into her life as well.
