Page 26 of The Most Eligible Lord in London
“As am I.” Again, not convincing. If he’d not been watching her so intently, he would have missed the mistrust her polite expression and words it had masked.
That she truly did not trust him was a surprise. Frits had thought she was merely being loyal to her friend. He’d been certain he could eventually talk her around. But a lack of trust was another matter entirely, and he hadn’t helped his cause at all by appearing with Humphries and Maximus. Somehow, Frits had to find a way to win her trust if he was to have any hope at all of attaching her affections.
Frits, Max, and Humphries continued on their way to the Park and Lady Adeline walked in the opposite direction. The only good that had come from this encounter was that he’d got rid of Anglesey.
“She’s a downy one, she is,” Humphries commented with more than a hint of approval.
“She certainly is.” It dawned on Frits that Lady Adeline was not a typical young lady or indeed a typical lady. It would take a great deal of work on his part to earn her confidence. The trouble was how to go about accomplishing that task. He’d never had a lady distrust him before. He supposed the first thing he should do was stop attempting to trick her. “I will not be joining you in the mornings again.”
At least not until she asked him to.
“As you wish, my lord.”
Humphries had such relief in his voice that Frits glanced sharply at the man. “Keep it up and you’ll be back in the stables.”
His old servant’s eyes sparkled with hope. “Can I keep walking Max?”
“No.” His mother had decreed that livery must be worn while taking the dog out. That was what had led to Humphries’s temporary elevation. Not that he saw it that way. Frits had heard him use the term “damned fart-catcher” more than once. “You know what her ladyship said.”
His shoulders slumped; then he remembered to straighten them, and Frits took pity on the man. “I’ll leave you to it. Take some extra time if you’d like.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Humphries lengthened his stride.
While Max—Maximus; he needed to remember to use the version of the name Adeline liked—and his footman continued on to the Park, Frits turned back toward home, applying himself to the task of making a certain lady understand he was serious about getting to know her better, and that he could be trusted.
He wasn’t happy that Anglesey was going to be dancing with her this evening, but Frits would be taking her for a carriage ride the next day, and he had the supper dance that evening. No matter what happened, he would not be relegated to the end of the table at supper again. That might take some maneuvering. He’d probably do well to arrange it so that they went down to the supper room with her brother and sister-in-law instead of allowing her to follow her friends. But, considering what he now knew, would it be better to let her take the lead? That might make her start to trust him.
In the meantime, he’d see about having his new curricle designed. He’d told her he was going to do it and he would. With Anglesey chasing after Adeline, Frits couldn’t continue to count on her being available to join him during the Grand Strut. But with Maximus as a lure, Frits had a better chance of coaxing her to ride with him. As long as he got the carriage built in time.
He entered his house and went straight to the breakfast room, where he found his mother reading the Morning Post.
“Good morning.” He took a plate and began to fill it from dishes on the sideboard.
She set the paper on the table. “You are up early.”
“I tried to get up in time to go for a walk with Maximus.” Considering the dog didn’t get up until eight, that shouldn’t have been too difficult. But Frits never seemed to be able to wake up early in Town.
“Um-hm.” She went back to reading the newssheet.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Taking his seat, he fixed a cup of tea.
Mama peeked over the top of the paper. “How did Lady Adeline react to seeing you?”
“Not particularly well.” He sounded like he had as a boy, when a splendid idea turned out not to be. “I have decided not to do it again unless she agrees to see me.”
“A wise decision.” Several moments later, she turned the page. “I have found a date for the theater, but it is not for another ten days. Lady Adeline is committed to several balls and other entertainments between now and then.”
He was disappointed, but he should have expected as much. At least two of her friends were having their come out balls, and she’d have one as well. “Thank you for arranging it. Is Miss Featherton coming?”
“Yes, that was another reason for the delay. We do not have the time either.” His mother started raising the paper to her face again. “I suggest flowers.”
“I already sent a bouquet.” He dug into a baked egg.
His mother sighed. “Send more. She is not one of those ladies who fawn all over you. You are going to have to exert yourself this time.”
That was an excellent point, one he’d already discovered. “I’ll go out after I break my fast.” Mama finished raising the paper. “Is there anything else I should do?”
“Stay away from Lady Holloway. She was quite taken with you.”
