Page 36 of The Most Eligible Lord in London
“We have plates for you,” Lady Wivenly said, indicating the table.
Frits held the chair for Adeline, and took the place next to her. It was the first supper where her friends had not surrounded her, relegating him to the end of the table with Exeter. In fact—he glanced around—all the young ladies were sitting with their families and the gentlemen who had stood up with them for the supper dance.
He dipped his spoon into the white soup. “Did we miss anything?”
“You might say that.” Wivenly grinned. “Exeter defended his sisters, and the ladies decided that anyone who speaks badly about the girls will not be invited to any of their entertainments.”
Something about that didn’t quite make sense. “His sisters aren’t out yet.”
“And will not be for years,” Adeline added. “This must have something to do with his mother’s behavior.”
“It did,” Lady Wivenly said. “Lady Letitia was not at all happy about being introduced to Exeter; then she started saying that there must be something wrong with his younger sister, as neither of his older sisters had taken them in after their mother left. She could not see we were sitting here, but her voice carried, and he went straight over and told the lady and her mother that he would not stand for their slander.”
“I never thought she was so cruel. I will certainly have nothing more to do with her.” Adeline lifted her glass of wine. “I wish we had been here to see it.”
“It was très impressionnant,” her sister-in-law said.
For Exeter’s sake, Frits hoped Lady Dorie thought the same. He desperately wanted her to decide to marry the man. “That was well done of him. It never does to allow false rumors to start.”
Lord and Lady Watford had joined a political discussion with Lord and Lady Huntingdon and Exeter and Lady Dorie, leaving Frits, Adeline, and her brother and sister-in-law to talk about other subjects. Frits had been stunned and impressed to discover Lady Wivenly had actually been physically involved in saving slaves on St. Thomas in the Danish West Indies, and was still actively supporting the cause. What was even more interesting was the extent to which the venture captured Adeline’s attention.
“Did I tell you that Eugénie has formed a charity that pays shipowners for helping free the slaves?” Adeline asked. “Some of them are rescued at sea when the ships carrying slaves are stopped.”
He knew British naval ships were tasked with the job, but he had not known private ships were involved as well. “I suppose our navy cannot find all the slave traders.”
“Especially when some of the countries who sign laws ending the slave trade continue it,” Adeline commented drily.
Another thing of which he had not been aware. “Who in particular?”
“Denmark and Norway.” Pushing away the soup, she helped herself to two lobster patties. He’d have to remember how much she liked them.
“One of my friends is heir to a shipping company,” Wivenly said. “He assists us.”
That gave Frits an idea. One that would kill two birds as it were, save people, and improve Adeline’s opinion of him. “Do you need more ships?”
“We always need more ships,” Adeline responded. “And money. I give what I am allowed to from my pin money.”
“I have a shipping company.” He grinned when Adeline’s jaw as well as her brother’s and sister-in-law’s jaws dropped. “My family long ago decided that the health of the barony would be better served by having a wide range of investments. I don’t personally manage it, but I can put the ships at your disposal when required.”
“Merci.” Lady Wivenly smiled gratefully. “We shall accept your kind offer.”
When they had finished eating, Frits decided to escort Adeline to the hall while their coaches were being brought around. He was perplexed to find the rest of their group joining them. Then he remembered that for some reason, all the ladies in her circle departed after supper. Come to think of it, that was probably the reason she rose so early.
As they left the room, she squeezed his arm. “Do you see the two ladies in the corner next to the tree with the red flowers?”
He cut his eyes quickly in that direction. “Yes.”
“Miss Hanson is the one in the blue gown.” Adeline had tipped up her head, and her breath caressed his jaw, creating an almost overwhelming urge to dip his head and kiss her.
“I shall make sure to stay out of her way.” And avoid an introduction. Although that had not deterred the female. Just then, Miss Hanson raised her eyes, and he quickly lowered his to Adeline, making sure that anyone—but particularly Miss Hanson—knew where his interests lay.
Adeline began strolling again. “Do you often receive unsigned notes?”
Where the devil had that question come from? “No.” And that was all he was going to say on the matter. He did not want Adeline to think any worse of him than she already did, especially as he was going to wait until her mother was nearby to ask her to accompany him tomorrow. He’d told himself he wouldn’t do that again, but he couldn’t take the chance she would refuse him.
They reached her parents’ coach and he waited while her mother and sister-in-law were handed up. “Can I tempt you into another carriage ride tomorrow?”
“What a lovely idea,” her mother interpolated before she could reply, and he almost groaned with frustration. He didn’t need that much help.
