Frits rubbed the dog’s ears. “He’s going to have to get used to some changes.” Such as not always being able to be with him or Adeline. “Do you want me to leave him with you?”
Her pearl-like teeth bit her bottom lip, and he almost groaned with need. “If you do not mind.”
“Not at all.” She gave him a dubious look. “I would rather he be here with you for the nonce. We will all be together before long.” All he’d have to do was to get his mother to speak with Lady Huntingdon again.
“How did you get him into my room? I cannot believe Abney or Mama allowed you to bring him.”
Frits grinned. “I came by so often that first day that your butler stopped manning the door. I was waiting for that to occur. After all, butlers have many more duties than that. Once I knew he was occupied elsewhere, Humphries came with me, and he got the footman to follow him out of the hall. Then I came in and snuck Max to your room. I think your maid was actually happy to have him there. She told me later that he made you much calmer, and when you did start to become restless, he would settle you.” He wasn’t going to tell her that when her mother found out about Maximus, her ladyship had tried to evict the dog. Adeline’s lady’s maid had argued against it, and he’d had to call his mother in to intervene.
“That must be the reason he was allowed to stay.” She stroked the Great Dane’s ears. “Thank you for thinking of it.”
“It was my pleasure.” He remembered the other thing he wanted to tell her. “Peter and his mother are safely out of Town, and Lady Wivenly sent the message to the West Indies.”
“That means Mr. Rymer will be here by early autumn, if not before.” Smiling, she gazed up at Frits. “Thank you for making sure I knew.”
“I’ve been thinking about their situation. You will remember that I suggested he could work at my shipyard. I wrote the manager, and he agreed that Mr. Rymer would be an excellent addition. It seems his reputation has preceded him.”
“Frits, that is wonderful.” A little color came back into her cheeks. “They have no family here to help them. Perhaps we should find a house for them and set it up as well.” A line formed over the bridge of her nose as she thought. “With Mrs. Rymer’s participation, of course.”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but you are right. We should ensure that they have no immediate worries.”
He heard the clicking of shoes on the terrace and glanced over his shoulder. “Good morning. We have an announcement to make.”
His mother clasped her hands together. “You are getting married.”
Before either he or Adeline could verify her statement, Lady Watford let out a loud huff. “Thank God. It’s about time. I shall inform the rector of St George’s.”
Adeline grimaced and looked at him, then shook her head. “Mama, we wish to have the wedding at Littlewood as soon as it can be arranged.”
“Aha!” His mother exclaimed as her mother scowled. “I do not know why you thought it would be otherwise, Annis. I should have accepted your wager.” Mama smiled at Frits and Adeline. “Shall we invite the tenants and the neighbors?”
“Yes, please,” Adeline said. “It will be a good opportunity to meet everyone.”
“Annis, you may invite as many people as you wish.” His mother apparently could not resist a triumphant smirk. It was a good thing they were longtime friends.
“I should have known.” Lady Watford sighed. “Adeline, you require new clothing. I shall ask my modiste to attend me immediately. This is a horrible time of the Season to have anything made quickly, but I’ll do my best.”
“I have some ideas on how that can be achieved.” Mama linked her arm with Lady Watford. “Let us leave the children alone, and we will discuss the arrangements.”
Adeline dipped her head and tried to hide a yawn, but he’d seen it. “You need to sleep.”
“That’s all I’ve been doing,” she complained.
“If you nap a little now, you might be able to join the family for dinner.” He’d cajoled more than one recovering person with promises of treats.
“Will you be there?” He swooped her into his arms and started inside.
“As soon as I ask your mother.” He had every expectation her ladyship would agree. They were going to be family soon.
By this time next week, Frits and Adeline could be married.
* * *
Owen Davies wiped his sweaty hands on his breeches before he knocked and entered Mr. Lettsome’s study. “You wanted to see me, sir?”
The man looked up. The almost refined appearance he gave to all of London was replaced by stern lines and anger that Davies was afraid was directed at him. He’d been so irked with the lad, he’d forgotten where he was. “You’ve got to get the boy and his mother back. I cannot afford to lose the money Rymer brings in from his work in the shipyard. If we don’t go back with them, he’ll find a way to escape.” The only hold they had on the slave was his family. “I also can’t bear the cost of replacing them with paid servants, or the prices the Danes charge for new slaves.” That Davies didn’t believe. Lettsome was a pinchpenny. “But this time you’ve got to be smart about it. If you get caught, I can’t help you.”
What was unsaid was that Davies could lose his position if he didn’t succeed. “I’m keeping an eye on his lordship’s house.”
