The other man, a few inches shorter than his friend but equally broad, stepped forward to take her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you…properly.”
Adeline’s eyes widened as she recognized him as the man from the bookshop. His handsome face was chiseled with sharp features. His eyes were just as bright and full of mischief as they had been that day. Oh dear, this was Lord Kingsbury?
He frowned. “Where are your spectacles?”
Her hand fluttered up to touch the bridge of her nose. “Oh, my father doesn’t let me wear them to these things.”
“How did you know she wears spectacles?” George asked.
Lord Kingsbury turned his attention to George. “Last week, I got quite lost on my way to Whitehall and stopped into a bookshop to ask for directions. Your sister was kind enough to help me.”
“What a strange coincidence.”
Lord Kingsbury’s gaze slipped back to her. He winked. “Perhaps it was fate.”
“Fate is a construct that society uses to romanticize the unexplained,” Adeline replied. Honestly, this man was the most incorrigible flirt with that wink. Violet and Lucy would think him perfect for their rumor fabrications.
Lord Kingsbury rocked back on his heels. “Hmmm, well, fate has dealt me several unexplained blows in my life, so I’ll keep believing the construct.”
“Surely, though, it would be more practical to investigate the whys—”
“Adeline,” George interrupted with another stern look that meant she was talking too much. She had been instructed to be agreeable.
But Lord Kingsbury didn’t seem annoyed. He offered his hand. “Perhaps we could continue to discuss our difference of opinion on the dance floor?”
“I would be delighted.” For the first time tonight, she smiled with genuine enthusiasm.
“What about your card, love?” her brother asked. “Do you have a free spot next?”
She tore her gaze from Lord Kingsbury’s bright, interested regard to stare dumbly at her brother. What about her card?
George reached for the dance card, dangling at her wrist by a ribbon. He glanced down at it, and his eyes widened. “You are full up for the next three sets, pet. Good for you.”
Adeline looked down as well.Drat. She had forgotten how full her card had gotten tonight. Their little experiment seemed to be working. Much to her father’s shock, she had been approached by a half dozen gentlemen at the beginning of the evening asking to sign her card. He had actually smiled and awkwardly patted her arm.
Unfortunately, the evening had been so dull. Previously, she always envied the girls dancing. Imagining sparkling conversation between partners. But tonight, as a girl with little grace, she had struggled to keep up with the dance moves. Between concentrating on not making a fool of herself by stepping on her partner’s toes and the terribly boring small talk she’d had to endure and, worse, respond to, tonight’s ball had seemed endless.
“It would be rude for her to ignore the card,” George explained to his friends.
Lord Kingsbury took hold of her card and peered down. “It seems you have an opening here and the one after.” He glanced back at his tall friend, who grinned. “We’ll take those if you please.”
Adeline could not believe these two strapping men wanted to dance with her. Perhaps this whole evening of male attention was a fevered dream? Or perhaps her friends were correct. When men saw you were sought after, they were curious to find out why. She lifted the little pencil and let the two gentlemen write their names on her dance card.
“Ahem, pardon me, but I believe, Lady Amberley, that this next dance is mine.”
Adeline turned and gave Lord Munthrope a polite smile. “Indeed.”
She couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder at Lord Kingsbury. The men’s faces became blurry as she walked farther toward the dancing, but she could tell that Lord Kingsbury continued to look at her even after his lieutenant and her brother turned to walk away.
Chapter Four
“Having fun tonight,Addy? I haven’t seen you dance so much…well, never,” Violet said from next to her.
“Our plan is working splendidly,” Lucy said from her other side. “I knew it would!”
Adeline smiled at Lucy’s unabashed enthusiasm. Lucy was enthusiastic about everything she set her mind to. She was rather like a whirlwind when on a mission.
Lucy’s husband, the Duke of Hartwick, joined them. “I am back as promised with refreshments.” He handed her a cup of raffia. “What plan is working?”
