Page 10 of The Most Eligible Lord in London
Her ladyship squeezed Mama’s hand. “My wardrobe needed refurbishing. We have a local modiste, but as good as she may be, no one can deny that the fashions in Town are more elegant.”
“I heartily agree with you.” Mama smiled. “I believe it has to do with the quality of the fabric.”
“My lady, how do you and his lordship take your tea?” Adeline asked before her mother and Lady Littleton could settle in for a comfortable coze.
“We both like two sugars and a generous helping of milk.” He straightened and came over to Adeline. She served his mother, but as she handed him a cup, their fingers brushed, and that strange awareness occurred again. It couldn’t be an electrical shock. It was also odd that she did not feel it with the other gentlemen. “Thank you.” He took a sip. “This is perfect.”
“Annis,” Lady Littleton said, “what is your blend? It is excellent.”
Mama glanced at Adeline. “You must ask my daughter to write it down for you. It is one of her own making.”
Adeline could not help but be pleased with the compliment. She had tried several different blends before settling on this one. “It is nothing complicated. I simply mix Ceylon with a lesser amount of Darjeeling and add a small bit of grated dried orange peel. I will be happy to send you a packet.”
“Thank you. I will gladly accept the gift.” Her ladyship took another sip.
The other ladies were standing to depart when Lord Littleton set down his empty cup. “Lady Adeline, if you are free, I would like to take you for a carriage ride this afternoon.”
Miss Tice and Miss Martindale’s jaws dropped, and Miss Emerson’s eyes rounded.
Drat the man for posing his invitation now, in front of all these ladies. He knew Adeline could not refuse. She kept her tone even and polite when she would rather have boxed his ears. “That sounds lovely.”
“I shall see you at five.” He held his hand out to his mother as she rose. “Lady Watford, thank you. It was lovely. I agree with my mother that the tea was excellent.” He gave a short bow to the others. “Ladies.” And escorted his mother out of the room.
“He is soooo very handsome,” Miss Martindale gushed. “I hope he comes to our at-home.”
Miss Tice clasped her hands at her breast. “I wonder if he has an eligible friend who lives near his estate.”
Adeline fought not to roll her eyes as their mothers smiled indulgently. The ladies should not be encouraged to behave thuswise.
Lady Emerson rose. “Lady Adeline, I agree with Lady Littleton about the tea. If you could see your way to sending me a packet, I would be grateful.”
“Mrs. Tice and I would love a packet as well,” Mrs. Martindale said.
“Of course.” Adeline was thankful that the discussion about Lord Littleton had ended, and extremely pleased to find her tea so well received. “I will have the tea sent to you by the end of the day.”
The at-home hours were finished; now the only thing she had to do was suffer through the carriage ride with Lord Littleton. If only she knew more about rakes. Having one for a brother was not much of a help. He never displayed his tendencies around her. But—she glanced at her sister-in-law—there was someone who could answer her questions, and Mama had already left the drawing room, so Eugénie was free to speak.
“Eugénie?” Adeline said before she could leave as well.
Her sister-in-law glanced at her. “Oui?”
She bit down on her lip. “I have some questions about men.”
“Ah, oui. But you must know that I am not an expert on the subject. I only know who I should avoid.” Eugénie sank down onto the sofa.
“You know more than I do,” Adeline grumbled. “And you married Will.”
“That is true.” Her sister-in-law studied her long enough to make her want to fidget. “What is it that you wish to know?”
She clasped her hand in her lap. “How do I avoid a rake?”
Eugénie let out a low stream of light laughter. “Ma petite, if I knew the answer to that, I would not be married. Oui?”
Adeline frowned. “I do not understand.”
“I had no interest at all in marriage when we met. I only wanted to save those who were enslaved and take them to freedom. I had no time for gentlemen. Mais, when a rake decides to wed one, it is very difficult to change his mind.” Her sister-in-law’s smile was a bit misty. “I set many tasks for your brother, but the greatest one was that he must love me and be faithful.”
Tasks? That was the first time Adeline had heard about that. What kinds of tasks? “Why do I have the feeling that there was more to your courtship and marriage than we were told?”
