Page 38 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
“Tell me, darling, are you fond of the Duke?”
“I believe I am, in my own way.”
Lady Leeds smiled. “Then you are already one step ahead of so many others. There is affection between you, however intangible it might seem. That is not always a guarantee.” A chuckle bubbled from her throat. “More to the point, he is still reasonably young and is rather pleasant on the eye. That is not always a guarantee, either.”
The thought comforted Adelaide.Perhaps, from that tiny seed of mutual fondness, true love might grow. Wouldn’t that be a glorious thing?
Adelaide had always been a pragmatic young lady. She had no delusions about a white knight in shining armor coming to her rescue, to whisk her away to a land of fairies and rainbows. If she could wed a man of means and have love blossom over time, then that might just be good enough for her.
They crossed over the cobbled square in front of St. Paul’s Church and headed in the direction of St. Martin’s Lane. They had plans to meet with one of Lady Leeds’ dear friends at one of the local tea rooms, before making their way to the museum at Montagu House, for an afternoon excursion. Both of them adored the exhibits and it was close by. Indeed, they went rather often, in the hopes of happening upon a new display. The taxidermy was of particular interest to Adelaide, who loved to marvel at all the weird and wonderful creatures.
“Was it this one, Mama?” Adelaide asked, coming to St. Martin’s Tea Room.
Lady Leeds frowned. “Oh goodness… I cannot recall, darling. We shall have to pause here a moment and hope we catch sight of Lady Phyllis upon her arrival.”
Lady Phyllis Langtree was a formidable lady with a voice as loud as the bells of Westminster Abbey. From the portraits that Adelaide had seen, Lady Phyllis had once been a true beauty, but the years had plumped her out and grayed her hair. Still, her vibrant personality remained untouched. Amusing and quick-witted, Adelaide loved to spend time with her. Her mother was always at her most relaxed around Lady Phyllis, and they often reminisced about their girlhood endeavors.
With mother and daughter keeping an eye on opposite ends of the street, they huddled under a striped canopy to shelter from the drizzling rain. Eager for a taste of one of the delicious cakes, and longing for a sip of hot tea, Adelaide turned her gaze towards the window of the tea room behind her. Patrons sat by the window, enjoying themselves. She wondered if they were merely smiling to pique her envy.
Her casual observation drifted beyond the first cluster of customers, leading to the tables in the center of the tea room. She hoped to find a spare one, where they might sit and wait for Lady Phyllis.
She froze as her eyes settled on a familiar face.
Miss Leah Green…
The shock was not in seeing her there, but in seeing who else was present. A gentleman took up the chair opposite. Again, it would not have been too remarkable a sight—he might have been her brother or her cousin—had it not been for the old, disinterested woman who sat at Leah’s side. A chaperone, if ever Adelaide had seen one.
What are you thinking, Leah? Has sense evaded you? What are you doing here, with him? For goodness’ sake, think of dear Jasper!She longed to shout every word through the rain-spattered pane.You need only be patient. Heavens above, you silly girl; a little forbearance for a lifetime of happiness. A good, honest man, with a heart of gold—that is what awaits you in Jasper. No lady could be luckier, you fool!
The gentleman was older; in his early forties, Adelaide supposed. He was not unhandsome. There was strength in his jaw and a youthful demeanor about him when he laughed at something Leah had said. His dark hair was streaked with gray and his skin had taken on a more rugged quality. However, it was easy to see the striking young man he had once been. And yet… he was not Jasper.
Adelaide thought back to the conversation they’d had, in front of the drawing-room fire. Leah had alluded to the possibility of seeking a “safer wager.” And she had mentioned that her mother was impatient to see her wed to a decent man.
Do not be forced into a lesser match,Adelaide begged silently.Jasper adores you, I am certain of it. You have no need to search elsewhere.
The entire scenario certainly looked like a meeting between potential partners. Her manner was coy and playful, whilst his was proud and somewhat brash. Adelaide could see that he was attempting to impress Leah. He smiled every time he managed it.
What are you doing, you foolish girl?
A vision sparked into her mind—the same gentleman sitting at her family dining table no more than two years previously. It was all coming back to her now. Her mother had thrown a dinner party to celebrate the start of the new London season, and many of the family’s acquaintances had been invited. Most of them were gentlemen, which had led Adelaide to believe the party was merely a ruse for her mother to matchmake.
Sure enough, she had been seated beside a gentleman—the very one who now sat opposite Leah. Lord Alastair McGillivray, if memory served her. A Scottish baron who always spent the season in London, away from his lochs and highlands. He had been pleasant enough, but Adelaide had thought him much too old. She had said as much when he enquired after her age: “Much too young for you, Lord McGillivray.” It had seen her scolded for an hour after the party.
Is that where a ‘safer wager’ has led you?She did not know whether to feel horrified or disgusted, or a mixture of both. Jasper was undoubtedly at home at that very moment, crafting a letter to try and win back Leah’s favor. The notion made Adelaide’s heart plummet like a stone.
They had not parted on the best of terms the previous evening, after what Jasper had said about her selling herself short. She knew he meant well, but the words had still stung. It took time to heal. Now, she felt nothing but sympathy for her dear friend. He was oblivious to this. Truly, she wished she could run home at that very moment and get him to hurry to the tea rooms.
As it happened, she could do nothing. She could not even alert her mother to the fact, for fear of tarnishing Leah’s reputation at the house. Everyone was aware of Jasper’s affections for Miss Green. Lady Leeds would have been equally devastated for him had she discovered Leah conversing so charmingly with another gentleman.
Oh Jasper, why haven’t you just confessed your adoration for her? I know you are a shy, proper, polite gentleman, but how can she know of your feelings if you do not tell her? Sometimes, a man must be bold instead of reserved.
“Shall we go inside, darling? I may catch my death of cold if I stay out here much longer,” Lady Leeds chimed into Adelaide’s thoughts.
Adelaide looked up in alarm. “Not here, Mama. I do so hate the selection of desserts here.”
“You do? I thought you relished in their strawberry parfait?”
“No, no, you are thinking of Bea’s. Their strawberry parfait is divine,” Adelaide corrected, without missing a beat. She did not want to alert her mother to any problem.
