About to explain what had happened to Rose, Adeline turned her attention to her plate when her mother provided the response, including all the gory details of the young lady’s accident, subsequent limp, and occasional need to use a wheeled chair.
“She’s still a duke’s daughter,” Adeline whispered to no one in particular. “And she’s very beautiful,” she added, directing her last words to Ertugrul. His gaze was on his plate, though, his furrowed brows suggesting he was curious as to the food on it.
“Is there something wrong with your cod?” she asked.
The sehzade lifted his gaze to hers. “I merely wondered what kind of fish it was, and now I have the answer. Thank you,” he said.
Adeline blinked. “You’re welcome. Do you have this sort of fish in the empire?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so,” he replied as he glanced over at David, as if for confirmation.
“The fish out of the Bosphorus are rather excellent,” David commented. “There is one, a sort of turbot—”
“Kalkan,” Ertugrul interrupted. “The word means shield in our language, and the fish looks like an iron shield.”
“Studded with nails,” David finished for him. “Comes down from the Black Sea in the spring. Sultana Charlotte orders it as often as she can, but I doubt she’s actually seen one before the cook has cleaned it or we would probably never have it.”
“Are there foods I should have my cook attempt to replicate for you, Ertugrul?” Elizabeth asked as she motioned for the footman to bring the next course.
Ertugrul glanced up from his plate, obviously not used to the attention, especially while he was eating. “Meatballs, perhaps?” he replied as his gaze darted to David.
“They call themkofte,” David said, “and they are delicious. Although we have the beef and lamb, I’m not sure about the spices required.”
“I’m sure our cook can sort it,” George offered, intrigued by the thought of something different for dinner. The current menus seemed the same from week to week, and he didn’t know if it was because Elizabeth had requested them that way or if she had simply left it to the cook to decide since she spent so much time at her charities.
When the meal concluded, Elizabeth and Adeline stood to leave for the parlor.
“Are you up for a game of billiards?” George asked, directing his query to the young men. “Adeline has helped keep me sharp in your absence,” he added as he gave a nod in David’s direction, “but it means my viscountess has been left to her own devices after dinner.”
“I’ve been looking forward to it all day,” David replied.
Elizabeth grinned as she moved to kiss her husband on the top of his head. “My own devices meaning responding to invitations and such,” she said before she curtsied. “I’ll see you all at breakfast in the morning.”
The men all bowed as she and Adeline took their leave of the dining room. The footman appeared with a tray of port and small glasses.
“Gentlemen, we’re off to the billiards room,” George said with a huge smile. “Perhaps we can refine the list of available young ladies you might consider for matrimony.”
Although David’s expression showed a hint of fright, Ertugrul appeared pleased with the plan. “Lead the way, sir,” he said.
