Adeline wanted to tell Dorie that things between Miss Chatham and Lord Exeter were not as they appeared, but Adeline did not know the details and could not raise her friend’s hopes to have them crushed again. “I have heard it said that things work out the way they are supposed to.”
“Yes. I have heard that as well.” Dorie’s tone held a sorrow that tugged at Adeline’s heart.
She wished she could help, but did not know how. Perhaps Littleton would have an idea. If not, Georgie was sure to have something sage to say. She always did. “I shall see you this afternoon.”
“I am looking forward to shopping. It always makes me feel better.” Dorie and Adeline rose and made their way to the hall.
“You will be at my ball this evening?” Adeline asked.
“Of course. I would not miss it for the world.” Dorie bade her adieu, and Adeline collected her footman.
She looked forward to seeing Littleton again. She had been right to wait until she’d spoken with her friend, but now it was time to move ahead to whatever the future brought. Yet, with his reputation, she still needed to be careful. She would not allow him to break her heart.
* * *
Later that evening, as Adeline sat before the mirror, a sense of excitement infused her. She was dressed for her come out ball. She had not expected to be enthusiastic about the event. And she had expected the pale, peach-colored gown to look insipid. Instead, it made her skin glow. The necklace and earrings her mother had given her—delicate, figured gold with drops of turquoise—provided a vivid contrast. “I actually look pretty.”
Fendall cast her gaze to the ceiling. “That’s because you are pretty, my lady. And your type of looks won’t fade when you get older.” She placed a spangled shawl on Adeline’s shoulders. “It’s time for you to go down.”
Rising from the bench, she donned her gloves and picked up her reticule. The worst part would be the receiving line. After that, she could forget it was her ball and enjoy herself. Once again, Littleton had the supper dance. She would spend the time assessing him as a potential husband.
She joined her parents, brother, and sister-in-law in the drawing room for a glass of champagne before they took their places in the receiving line.
Papa kissed her cheek. “You look lovely.”
She returned the kiss. “Thank you. I feel as if I look well.”
Mama was next to the windows, speaking with Will and Eugénie. They turned to greet her.
“I do not know what it is about this evening,” Eugénie said. “But there is something in the air.”
“It’s hot.” Her brother’s bored drawl had her shaking her head.
“Non. It is more than that.” She lifted her head, as if she had caught a scent. “But you are correct. I very much enjoy the heat. It feels like St. Thomas in summer.”
Abney entered the parlor. “My lord, my lady, the first carriage has arrived.”
“Come along,” Mama urged them out of the room. “We must take our places.”
Even though this was the first time Adeline had stood in a receiving line, it all went as she expected it would. After all, she had been through enough of them on the other side. The greetings and responses were exactly the same as they always were. Then Littleton’s head rose above the others in front of him, and he caught her eye and smiled. As he drew closer, she could admire his beautifully tied cravat and the emerald pin nestled in the folds. His black jacket molded his shoulders, which seemed even broader than before. One lock of ink-black hair fell across his forehead, making her want to wrap the curl around her finger. As his smile grew, the dimple deepened, giving the strong planes of his lean face a gentler look. Even as he greeted her family, he seemed to keep her in his gaze. Perhaps Eugénie was right and there was something in the air.
“Good evening, my lord.”
As Frits went through the receiving line, his jaw almost dropped when he saw Adeline. She was always beautiful, but tonight, she glowed. When he got a better look at her gown, his mouth began to water, and his cock stiffened. If it wasn’t for the blond lace at her neckline, and the way her bodice winked in the candlelight, he would have sworn she was half naked. The gown was almost the same color as her luminous skin, albeit embroidered with small flowers and vines. Whose idea was it to let her out like this? He gave himself an inner shake and blinked.
Not naked—although he could envision her thusly—but extraordinarily enticing. That gown was made for slowly peeling off her.
It was all he could do not to stop himself from taking her arm and carrying her out of the house. He did have her father’s permission to marry her. “Lady Adeline.” Frits bowed over her hand, barely touching his lips to her fingers, yet he could feel her reaction to him. He pitched his voice in a low whisper. “I cannot wait until our dance.”
Gazing up at him, she searched his eyes, as if looking for understanding. “I look forward to it as well.”
Something sharp poked him in the side. “Move along, Littleton.” Lady Bellamny held her cane. “You are holding up the line.”
The silver flecks in Adeline’s eyes sparked as she chuckled.
So much for that. “Yes, my lady.”
He reached the ballroom and saw Turner, who’d joined Fitzwalter and Frits for dinner, and had taken Fitzwalter with him to the ball. Next to them were Miss Martindale and Miss Tice. Frits hoped the meeting Fitzwalter was to have with her father before the ball had gone well. Avoiding the other guests, he made his way along the side of the ballroom and joined Turley.
