“Will there be lobster rolls?”
Adeline scrunched her nose. “Yes, and lobster cakes.”
“You don’t like lobster?” he asked in surprise.
“I used to. But it’s so common, and not always well done,” she explained. “The Weatherstones’ cook does a decent job of it, though. The specialty here is the roast beef, and there is usually a curry dish or two since the Weatherstones visited India a long time ago.”
They danced in companionable silence for a time before Ertugrul noticed a few couples had danced their way out of the outer circle and into the crowd. “Where do you suppose they are going?” he asked.
“To eat,” Adeline replied. “There are always those who wish to be first in line for the food.”
“What is this I hear about a card room?”
She grimaced. “Ah, the reminder that we shall lose half of our dance partners,” she remarked. “There is a separate room set up with tables for playing card games. Whist, mostly, but there will be some others. The men like to gamble, so they will play for money.”
Ertugrul seemed to think on her explanation for a time before he asked, “Do you think I will be expected to join them?”
Adeline considered the query for a moment. “Has anyone challenged you to a game?”
He shook his head. “Not that I know of.”
“Good. Then you shall be free to dance or go to the gardens should you wish.”
“The gardens seem as if they are a very popular spot this evening,” he repeated. “Can they be that large?”
Tittering, Adeline said, “Probably not by your standards, but they are the most remarkable gardens in all of Park Lane.”
“Isn’t it too dark to make out the plants?”
Adeline’s titter turned into a giggle. “Most couples don’t go out there to admire the flowers so much as they look for a dark place in which to engage in...” She clamped her mouth shut.
Ertugrul’s eyes darted to one side. “Kissing?” he guessed.
Already warm from the dance, Adeline knew the color in her cheeks deepened. “Probably.”
His gaze followed a young couple as they hurriedly made their way in the direction of the French doors. “Making love?” he suggested.
Adeline’s eyes widened. “Perhaps, although I’m not sure there’s really any place out there it can be done... comfortably,” she said in a quiet voice.
“I suppose not. Which is why there is the library.”
“Ertugrul!” she scolded, even as her grin widened to a brilliant smile. “Who told you about thelibrary?”
The sultan’s son sobered. “David might have mentioned your... grandparents. They tend to spend some time there, do they not? I couldn’t help but notice Lord Morganfield’s color seemed especially high when your mother introduced me to him.”
“He didn’t,” Adeline replied with a scoff.
“Lady Morganfield is especially lovely. I would never have guessed she was old enough to have grandchildren of yours and David’s age.”
“Oh, that’s because she’s Italian,” Adeline said. She was tempted to add that it helped the marchioness made frequent visits to the library, but thought better of it.
Ertugrul grinned. “You have her eyes,” he said.
Adeline inhaled a bit deeper than the dancing required. “Thank you.”
A moment later, and the final strains of the supper dance faded. Once Adeline had curtsied to Ertugrul’s bow, they headed for the supper room.
