Page 54 of Adeline

The woman held up her arms, palms out, a smirk settling on her lips. “Oh, we understand that, evident by my marriage to Felton and Theo’s marriage to Alistair; however, you’ve never taken an interest in any lord beyond what could be yours in the marriage contract.”

“That is vulgarly offensive.” Indignation flared, and her pulse thrashed in her head, distorting any conversation happening around her. “Besides, I have not shown attention to any man since coming out in society.”

Neither Josie nor Theo would meet her glare as they moved about her chambers, collecting their belongings. Georgie rested her hands on her hips, her smug grin remaining in place.

Adeline wanted to yell, throw her hands wide, and stomp her slipper-clad foot. But she suspected her irritation would only incite their further scrutiny regarding the connection between her and Jasper. She did not want any attention focused on the pair of them, especially during the ball to come, as Adeline hoped to find a few moments of privacy with Jasper before he returned to Faversham Abbey—and disappeared from her life.

Thankfully, Poppy tapped lightly on the door, rescuing Adeline from any further inquisition. “Lady Melton, Miss Adeline, m’lord be request’n your presence and assistance with greet’n the guests.”

“We will be right out.” Theo straightened her gown and checked her hair in the mirror, each woman following suit. “Shall we, ladies?”

Chapter 21

Jasper took a single—albeit small—step forward.

Any progress is progress, he reminded himself.

And after waiting in the long line of carriages outside the Melton townhouse to be deposited in the drive, the receiving line was not nearly as daunting in its length. As far as he’d noticed, he was the only gentleman to arrive unattended, without a woman on his arm or friends at his side. Jasper recognized he lived a modest lifestyle in Kent; however, he could not comprehend how any one person—or even family—was acquainted with so many people.

Undoubtedly, every member of society had been invited…and arrived at the same moment to celebrate Adeline’s birthday.

How had he completely missed her station in the ton?

Every man of marriageable age who was not already wedded or betrothed stood in line before and after him, with likely much more already in the ballroom.

Jasper pulled at the sleeve of his finely pressed shirt and adjusted his cravat. Bloody hell but he appeared the strutting peacock, a confirmed London dandy, in the coat and trousers he’d been given, with the iridescent, pale blue neckcloth tied precariously about his neck. The thing should be black, not a blue that seemed to change color with the lighting. The hue was one he’d never seen before and certainly not something he would ever don again—nor the rest of his garb. It was all rather wasteful, though Jasper was loath to admit his change of heart after ordering a completely new wardrobe from Lord Melton’s tailor.

The funds would have been better spent on restoring the east wing of the Abbey or adding a new warehouse at the plant.

He moved forward once more, this time three paces.

Jasper noticed a familiar face not far off, the butler who’d greeted Adeline the previous day…and he had a tray of tall flutes.

When Jasper nodded in the man’s direction, he hurried over and inclined his head. “Lord Ailesbury. Lord and Lady Melton are happy to have you present for Miss Adeline’s celebration. Refreshment?”

“Thank you,” Jasper said, relieving the man of a glass. “I thought this was to be a small gathering.”

“Oh, yes, my lord.” The butler’s head bobbed up and down. “Only two hundred invitations were hand-delivered to the most deserving households in London and the bordering countryside.” He paused as if remembering something. “You, Lord Ailesbury, made two hundred and one.”

From the servant’s widened eyes, Jasper suspected his complexion had turned a rare shade of green. Two hundred invitations, multiplied by several family members in each household…that must be…

“Five hundred and fifty-three, errr, fifty-four, guests,” the butler said, supplying the number Jasper was too dumbfounded to compute on his own.

“And that is a small number?”

“Certainly, my lord.” The butler nodded as the group of men behind him each took a flute from his tray. “Lady Melton found it necessary to eliminate over one hundred and fifty guests.”

“And Lord and Lady Melton are familiar with all these people?” Jasper had never felt so insignificant in his entire existence. The villagers rarely allowed him to forget that they were keeping watch over him. “That is rather difficult to believe, or perhaps I am simply unfamiliar with town ways.”

“You will grow accustomed to the extravagant nature of London, my lord.” With a reassuring smile, the butler moved down the line and nodded as guests took refreshments from his tray.

Whatever did the man mean by his comment that Jasper would grow accustomed to London?

He was counting down the hours until he was on his way back to Faversham Abbey and away from the senseless, absurd, and excessive ways of town life. He breathed deeply, picturing the simple life he led in Kent: his estate, his business, and his people, regardless if they denied him as their provider and beneficiary or not.

Taking another step forward, Jasper glanced over the shoulder of the woman in front of him to see that he was nearly to the ballroom doors, though he was still unable to gain sight of Lord and Lady Melton where they greeted guests. Every once in a while, the deep chords of Melton’s voice carried out of the grand ballroom.

Jasper must have gotten a fraction too close, for the woman turned around, her eyes narrowing before widening—in surprised alarm?—as a smile settled on her lips. She took in his height and seemed to appreciate his neckcloth before her stare halted at his cheek and his burns traveling lower into his shirt. The woman’s welcoming smile turned to a frown, and she pivoted back around, taking a step closer to her escort for the evening.