Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

Three days later, it was after three in the afternoon, and Lady Langley said for the tenth time,

"Where could she be?" Miss Pym had not yet arrived, and Lady Langley was in high agitation.

"Your niece will be here directly," said Lady Winthrop. "Why not take tea? It will keep our minds off things. She can take a tray before we set out this evening."

They had just sat down for their meal when the young lady arrived, shattered from her journey and wishing to lie down for an hour.

"Oh, dear," said Lady Langley, after seeing Miss Pym to her room. "What am I to do if she doesn't look her best by this evening?"

"Do not be concerned, my lady," said Adelaide, anxious to smooth things as much as possible so there were no impediments to their attendance the ball. For if Lord Culpepper were to attend, she hoped Edward would also be there. She longed to see him again. "I am sure Sally can assist. She knows all the latest styles and is a dab hand with the curling tongs. "

"Adelaide is correct," Mrs. Winthrop said. "My lady's maid does have talent. It is the sole reason we keep her on."

"I will defer to your wisdom on this topic," said Lady Langley. "My maid is exceptional with hair in the style I prefer, but I don't alter my style overmuch, so I fear she is out of practice with the newest modes."

"Then it is settled," said Adelaide, relieved to be able to improve Sally's value to the household. "I shall speak to Sally and arrange it all."

Sally was pleased, as she always was, to assist the two younger women in dressing and readying themselves. Adelaide wore a lavender dress only a year out of fashion, and Miss Pym wore the white muslin that was popular for younger ladies. Both had their hair dressed in styles most becoming.

Lady Langley was pleased with the effect, and Lady Winthrop did not seem displeased, which, in Adelaide's experience, was high praise. They were soon off to the ball, and even Lady Winthrop's stoic mood could not put a damper on Miss Pym's youthful excitement.

The carriage arrived, and they sat in the crush of traffic only briefly, though for Adelaide each moment was an eternity—in part because of the anticipation of seeing Edward again, and in part because she had listened overlong to Miss Pym's effusive prosing about the anticipated delights of the evening. Adelaide was sure if they did not arrive soon, she would succumb to a headache.

Finally, they arrived and were announced. Adelaide scanned the ballroom for Edward only to be disappointed. Only Lord Culpepper was there with a few other gentlemen, and they all stopped to see her and Miss Pym descend the staircase.

Lady Winthrop ushered their party toward the side of the room closest to the card room to reacquaint herself with one of her friends down from London. After they had found a suitable place to sit and made introductions all around, Adelaide was forced to take the seat furthest from the dancing and make herself useful fetching refreshments. She was on just such an errand when Lord Culpepper was presented to Miss Pym, and, to Lady Langley's delight, he requested her first dance. This was indeed a great honor for the young miss, who, having been asked by a gentleman of such consequence, was now assured a full dance card.

Adelaide, laden with Lady Winthrop's refreshments, arrived with her hands full just as Miss Pym was escorted away by Lord Culpepper. She so longed to ask him of news of Edward but would need to wait for her chance.

The set felt interminable, as she was forced to listen to Lady Winthrop's malicious gossip couched in concerned tones. Lady Langley sat nearby, her gaze following her niece. The only indication that she heard the chatter around her was through the arch of her eyebrows, which raised and drew together with such regularity that Adelaide was sure a musical score could be set to the tempo.

When at last Lord Culpepper returned his partner, Lady Langley stood and ushered her charge to the far end of the floor, where she had just spied an acquaintance. Lord Culpepper, adrift for the moment, asked Adelaide if she would like to stand up with him.

She rose and moved with him to the floor. Lady Winthrop was so deep in conversation that she did not notice.

Once they were well away, Lord Culpepper said, "I wonder if you would mind walking with me instead of dancing."

"That would be agreeable. I am just grateful to stretch my legs."

"And to have a few moments to turn about the room without demands upon your time," he suggested, steering her toward the opposite side of the room.

She tilted her head in acknowledgement. "That is the role of companion."

"And do you enjoy your role?" he asked, as the music began.

"I am grateful for it," she said, "and I understand it is my lot."

"And have you never thought of more for yourself? Marriage, perhaps?" He was asking such personal questions, and she wasn't sure what to do to get out of this conversation when she really wanted news of Edward .

"I would have liked to marry," she said, "but my father died right after my coming out, and, given my new role, I have not been out much in society since."

"Was there anyone who captured your heart?" he asked, and she looked at him sharply. Really, for a man who had been out in society for as long as he, these were very personal questions—and she told him so.

"My apologies," he said smoothly. Though, to her eye, he didn't look one bit apologetic. "I am asking for a friend."

Her face flushed, and she glanced around the room, trying to avoid his knowing gaze. This was too bad of him. But then her gaze settled on the table where Lady Winthrop was holding her wicked court, and she decided that today she had to be brave.

"One man captured my heart years ago," she said, looking down at the floor and then raising her eyes to his. "But he left after my father died, and I deduced that he did not feel the same."

"Ah," said Lord Culpepper. "I wonder if you might assist me with something."

"And what would that be?" asked Adelaide.

"I came to Lyme with a friend who had come on personal business. I am wondering…" He nodded to an acquaintance as they passed, and she had to keep herself from clutching his arm and demanding he finish his sentence. Instead, she waited while he steered her through a doorway and down a hall. She followed, knowing she should not. It did not do well for a young woman to be caught alone with a man.

"What do you wonder?"

He pushed open a door halfway down the hall and escorted her into the library. "I am wishing to help my friend expedite the conclusion of his business. I have been in Lyme a week, and I am anxious to return to my father's side as soon as possible."

"And how can I help you?" she asked. He had finally stopped walking.

He smiled down at her, and she wondered at the luck of any woman who could win his heart .

"I wondered if you could speak with my friend," he said, nodding over her shoulder. She turned, and there he was: Edward, his one unruly curl falling over his eye.

"Hello, Adelaide," he said, stepping forward.

"Edward," she whispered, not daring to believe that what she had been hoping for was true.

"I believe my work here is done," murmured Lord Culpepper. "I will be in the conservatory until the end of the set."

Edward nodded at his friend without breaking his gaze from Adelaide's. "Thank you for meeting me."

A jumble of words caught in her throat, and all she could do was nod.

"I am not sure what Culpepper said," he began, stepping toward her so she could feel his warmth. He was taller than she remembered, and she grasped the back of a nearby sofa with one hand while her knees turned to water. "But I asked him to help me get some time alone with you."

She swallowed. "I see." She wished she could call the words back and say something else. Something with more feeling. Something that conveyed how pleased she was to see him, to be near him.

"Adelaide," he said again, "when Eloise told me you were here, I came as soon as I could."

"You knew I was here? You said you were here to see an old friend."

"You are my friend, are you not?" He gave her a sheepish half smile. "Though I admit I have spent the last four years at sea working hard to be worthy of more than just your friendship."

"You have?" Her heart felt lighter than it had since before she'd lost her parents. Was this what hope felt like? What love felt like?

"I have," he said. "And so I am here to ask you what I have longed to ask. He took her hands in his, and she gave them willingly, looking down and wondering at how well they fit together.

She looked at him. "What would you like to ask?"

"I would like to ask you for your hand, if you'll have me."

"But I would need the permission of my guardian," said Adelaide, " and I don't know that he will give it. Lady Winthrop would be loath to release me, I should think, or else she would have put me in front of eligible men long before now."

"Ah," he said, looking down at the ground as though considering their options. "I have a plan for that, if you will have me."

She gripped his hands more firmly. "How? Do not keep secrets from me, Edward. You have never done so before."

"As to that, I cannot agree," he said. "I have indeed kept something from you. But, please, I must know if you will have me. Then I feel we can overcome all else."

"Yes, of course," she said.

"Thank heaven," he said, pulling her toward him.

She pushed him away. "I don't want secrets between us. What is it that you are keeping from me?"

He nodded. "I agree. We cannot keep secrets from each other and, upon my word, once we are married, I will not."

"Tell me."

He sighed in defeat, her hands still in his. "I have been to see your father's solicitor, with whom I still have a good accord, and I have confirmed the rumors I heard. The money that was to be set aside for your marriage has been spent."

"Spent? What do you mean?"

"Winthrop used a clause in your father's will to access the money set aside for your keep and marriage settlement. He gave it to his mother as an allowance. And, I am sorry to say, she is bad with money."

"Do you mean that she has spent my inheritance?"

"Spent or gambled it away, yes. Which is why she has not tried to find you a match. There is no settlement left."

"Then I cannot marry you, Edward. I have nothing to give you."

"Adelaide." He looked into her eyes, and she saw they were stricken with grief. "I do not need money. I have been fortunate to bring home enough prize money from the war to keep us in funds for the rest of our lives."

"But I bring nothing. "

"I need nothing but your love. It was only my dream of coming back to you that kept me moving forward all those dark years."

"But you never wrote."

"No," he said, looking down at the ground again, "and for that I am sorry. I wanted to, but Eloise told me how your life was now. I did not want to prevent you from finding another love should I have failed to return. There were so many times I almost did not return, Adelaide. Many of my friends did not."

"Still, I wish I had known you were coming back to me."

"Forgive me?" He took one step closer, and she felt his warmth, his tenderness.

"There is nothing to forgive now that I know the truth."

"Then you will give me your hand?"

"Yes," she said.

"My heart," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and bending to kiss her. She let her arms climb up his back and pressed her lips on his. They stood there for a few long moments, locked in an embrace, until they heard a throat clearing behind them.

"Can I assume this means your personal business in Lyme is nearing its conclusion, Kingsley?" said Lord Culpepper.

"Nearly," said Edward, turning toward his friend. "You may be the first to wish us happy."

"That is welcome news, indeed, but the set is nearly done, and Miss Templeton and I must make our way back to the dragon."

Adelaide buried her cheek in Edward's chest, embarrassed at being caught in such a compromising situation. A part of her also wished Lord Culpepper to the devil, for she wanted to stay here in Edward's arms instead of stepping back into the ballroom to face Lady Winthrop.

Sensing her feelings, Edward said, "I have a plan to extricate you from that house. Don't worry. But in the meantime, I am asking you to act as though nothing has changed."

"I am not a good actor, Edward."

"For me? "

She looked up into his eyes and nodded. "Yes." She would do anything for him.

"Let us take you back to the dragon," said Lord Culpepper kindly.

She nodded, took his proffered arm, and listened to him tell a ridiculous story about a chicken that had her smiling and laughing by the time she returned.

Miles deposited her back to her table, and Adelaide was relieved to see that Lady Winthrop was still deep in conversation with her friends.

"Lady Langley," said Lord Culpepper, "I see your charge is already off to dance. Could I beg the pleasure of your company for this set?"

Lady Langley glanced at Lady Winthrop and back to him. "Yes, I believe I would enjoy that very much."