“For you... probably not,” Elizabeth remarked proudly.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he countered as he straightened.
“Well, it’s not as if there is a plethora of princesses and duke’s daughters of an age to marry,” she said at the very moment Ertugrul appeared on the threshold. Next to him stood Adeline, looking as if she had already made the emir’s acquaintance.
“Your Eminence,” Elizabeth said as she stood. “Do come join us,” she said as she waved a gloved hand to the settee.
“Ertugrul, please, my lady,” he stated as he bowed.
“Have you two met?” George asked as he made his way to the sehzade and offered his hand. The sultan’s son shook it as he nodded.
A blush colored Adeline’s face. “Not formally, of course,” she replied. “I found him when I was about to come down the stairs. He was admiring the statue, and I offered to show him the way here.”
Realizing she referred to a marble statue of a nearly naked Aphrodite, George struggled to keep an impassive expression on his face. “Well, Ertugrul, may I present my youngest daughter, Miss Adeline Bennett-Jones?”
Adeline turned and dipped a deep curtsy as Ertugrul bowed. He reached for her gloved hand, and not expecting he knew of the courtesy, she nearly let out a gasp as he lifted it and brushed his lips over the back of it.
“It’s very good to meet you, Miss Bennett-Jones,” he said after he had straightened.
Blinking, Adeline said, “And you, of course, Your Eminence.”
“Please, call me Ertugrul,” he insisted. “I shouldn’t wish there to be formality,” he added, struggling with the last word.
“All right,” she replied at the same moment Elkins appeared behind them. “Perhaps you’d like a cup of—”
“Dinner is served,” the butler stated before he stepped back.
“Thank you, but I will wait until after dinner for coffee,” Ertugrul murmured, his gaze going to his hosts.
Elizabeth and George immediately moved toward the door, but the viscountess slowed a moment. “Oh, dear. He should go first,” she whispered as she considered the order of how they would make their way into the dining room.
“He doesn’t know the way, my sweet,” George reminded her. In a louder voice, he said, “Ertugrul, would you mind escorting Adeline? David, you can follow behind.”
Ertugrul regarded Adeline, noting how she had her arm half-lifted. “Will you show me what to do?” he asked as George and Elizabeth passed them, making their way toward the stairs.
About to answer, Adeline instead gripped his coat sleeve and pulled it up until it was level before straightening her hand to rest atop it. “Just follow them,” she said.
Recognizing the manner in which his father escorted Charlotte about the palace and in town—at his side rather than her behind him as most couples did in public—Ertugrul gave a quick glance behind them to discover David waiting for them to move.
“It’s not quite like it is at Cambridge,” David said by way of encouragement, once they were descending the stairs. “If you knew the way to the dining room, you’d be escorting my mother.”
“I would be honored to do so,” Ertugrul replied,sotto voce. He couldn’t help but notice how Adeline reacted, as if he had said something to offend her. “But I am just as honored to escort your sister,” he quickly added.
Adeline glanced over her shoulder, prepared to provide a rebuke should David say something to tease their guest. When her brother gave her an innocent glance, she said, “Thank you, sir.”
“It’s my pleasure, Miss Bennett-Jones.”
The way in which he said the word ‘pleasure’ nearly had Adeline missing a step. “Oh, you can call me Adeline,” she suggested.
Ertugrul dared a glance in her direction before he said, “So... you are Sultana Charlotte’s goddaughter?”
Adeline inhaled softly. “I am,” she replied. “Do you... see her often? Speak with her?”
Grinning at her sudden interest in him, Ertugrul said, “Nearly every day. My youngest brother and sister as well. I will miss them most while I am here in London,” he added.
Her face beaming in delight, Adeline said, “Did you hear that, Mother?”
Elizabeth turned slightly when she had reached the ground floor and said, “Indeed. Ertugrul has already been a dear and caught me up with news from Charlotte. Perhaps he will do so for you?”
Adeline blinked and dared a glance at their guest.
“I will, of course,” he said, ignoring the chuckle that came from behind him.
She would have to add the sultan’s son to the list. After only a few minutes in his company, Adeline was sure he would be perfect for Lady Rose.
