“I was going to propose,” Anglesey ground out.
That is the reason he wanted to be alone with her, and Littleton had ruined it. Then another thought occurred to her. Why here and not at her home? “Have you spoken to my father?”
“I tried.” Anglesey clipped the words. “He did not answer me.”
“If you have not even spoken with my father”—Adeline took deep breaths as her anger increased. How could he have imagined—“What, my lord, makes you think I would accept without my parent’s approval? What sort of lady do you take me for?”
Anglesey’s gaze again strayed toward the other path. He was waiting for someone. But to what purpose?
Littleton’s fingers curled to form fists, and the sound of people talking reached her. “I believe, my lady, that if you refused his lordship, he intended to compromise you into marriage.”
For a moment, she couldn’t comprehend what he had said. “Compromise me?” He nodded. Lord Anglesey had said he had not heard from her father, but was that a lie? “Did my father refuse you?”
“No.” A tic had developed in his jaw as Lady Riverton and Lady Holloway emerged from the second path and reached the other side of the fountain.
In a few moments, they’d be able to hear everything. Littleton was right. Lord Anglesey had planned to compromise Adeline.
Littleton put his quizzer to his eye and focused it on his lordship. “That, my lady, unfortunately, I cannot tell you.” Raising his voice, he drawled, “Especially considering he already has a wife.”
“A wife!” Lady Riverton’s outraged tones pierced the air. “You are married?”
Lady Holloway’s mouth hung open before she was able to compose herself. Then she cut a sharp look at the other lady. “You blackguard. You scoundrel.”
As the women were making their way toward Lord Anglesey, Maximus began herding Adeline away from the others. Stepping forward, Lord Littleton took her arm, coaxing her from between the combatants.
She glanced at him. “How do you know he is married?”
“I received a letter from Lady Harrington in Paris. It seems that Lady Anglesey, her son, and her parents, the Duke and Duchess of la Algaba, arrived in that city searching for her husband.”
“It’s not legal,” Lord Anglesey spat out. “The marriage is not legal.”
“Indeed?” Lord Littleton raised a brow. “The duke and duchess say you and she were wed in Madrid.”
“It was a papist ceremony.” Lord Anglesey’s eyes jumped from the other ladies to Littleton and Adeline. He shook his head, trying to convince them he was telling the truth. “It won’t be recognized here.” He focused on the two ladies. “If it had been legal, I would not have left Spain.”
Adeline could not believe what she was hearing. Neither Lady Riverton nor Lady Holloway appeared to soften toward the scoundrel, and Adeline’s rage grew. The worthless, contemptible, despicable blackguard.
Lady Riverton’s eyes narrowed to slits. “You got a gently bred lady with child.”
“A very young lady at that.” Littleton said casually. “She has just turned seventeen.”
“Seventeen, and she already has a child?” Adeline had never in her life been so shocked. The scoundrel tried to deny not only his wife, but his child as well. He should not be allowed to get away with such wickedness. But before she could lash out, Lord Littleton again calmly raised his quizzing glass and inspected Lord Anglesey as if he was a disgusting insect. “As well traveled as you are, I am amazed that you do not know that any marriage meeting the legal requirements of the country in which it is performed is legal in England.”
The blood left Lord Anglesey’s face, and for a moment Adeline thought he would faint. If he fell backward, he would hit his head on the rim of the large fountain and, strangely, that did not bother her at all. He should feel as much pain as he had caused his wife. Then she remembered what Littleton had said earlier, about the blackguard’s scheme to compromise her, and she focused on the two ladies. “My ladies, did anything particular make you decide to come out here?”
Lady Riverton lifted one shoulder. “Lady Holloway told me that Anglesey suggested we might like to view the fountain.”
Lady Holloway turned a bright shade of red. Adeline was certain she had known.
Adeline drew in a deep breath. Littleton had been right. The cur had intended to compromise her. And if the news of Anglesey’s wife and child had not reached England, she could have been made to marry him. Then what would have become of her?
Her fingers curled into fists. She had never wanted to strike anyone so badly in her life. Actually, there was no reason she should not. Making sure her thumb was on the outside of her fist, as her brother had shown her, Adeline lunged forward and struck. Something made a crunching sound, and blood spurted from Anglesey’s nose.
“Excellent flush hit.” Littleton nodded approvingly. “And you didn’t even get any blood on your glove. Very well done indeed.”
He placed the palm of his hand on her waist, and she put her fingers on his arm. “I wish to go back.”
“Certainly.” His large hand covered hers, and his warmth seeped into her. Until then, she had not realized how cold her fingers were. They also hurt a little, but it was worth it. “Ladies.” He bowed. “We shall leave his lordship to your tender mercies.”
