Page 49 of Adeline

Lady Georgina patted his chest. “Do not fret, Felton, Adeline has already discovered the details of her party. You have ruined no surprise.”

The man exhaled. “I am relieved it is not I who let the cat out of the bag.”

“I will be attending,” Jasper said.

“Very good.” Felton placed a quick kiss to Lady Georgina’s forehead. “While I would relish another chance to best Lady Melton with a bow, I must be getting my wife home to prepare for our evening.”

“Are you certain it is not you who needs time to ready themselves?” Adeline teased, her eyes lighting with merriment once more.

“I can neither confirm nor deny your question,” Felton responded with a wink.

“It is time we all return and prepare ourselves,” Lady Melton said. Two footmen stepped from the shadows of a tree and began collecting the targets. Ailesbury had as yet not noticed the footmen keeping watch over the women, but it satisfied him greatly to know Lord Melton did not leave Adeline—and her friends—unprotected. “It was lovely seeing you again, Lord Ailesbury. My husband and I look forward to gaining an increased acquaintance this evening. I hope you will see Adeline home safely?”

A sheen of sweat broke out on Jasper’s forehead despite the cool morning breeze still playing over the grassy area. See Adeline home safely?

As he stood mute and confused, a footman returned and collected Adeline’s and Lady Melton’s archery gear and then disappeared again.

“We shall see everyone this evening,” Lady Georgina called with a wave before turning and departing with Crauford.

“Come, Josie.” Lady Melton slipped her arm through Lady Josie’s, and they followed the footmen from the clearing. “Good day, Adeline.”

Jasper kept his stare trained on the retreating women, certain they would turn at any moment and laugh at their jest. They could not be serious about leaving Adeline in his care without a proper chaperone, especially after the fuss her brother had made about their time in the country.

The sinking sensation that he’d been duped by none other than Lady Melton froze Jasper where he stood.

Chapter 19

Adeline shivered in the morning chill, noticing the brisk temperature for the first time since Jasper’s arrival. She remained quiet as Jasper unbuttoned and removed his coat, settling it around her shoulders with care. The new clothes suited him well, and anyone would be hard-pressed to believe this was his first time in their fair city. He walked with the confidence of a man who knew his place in life, who had no question about his worth and could give a damn what others thought of him. It was the thing that had drawn her to him during their first meeting when he stuck his rain-soaked head into her carriage and gave her a simple ultimatum: find refuge at Faversham Abbey, or remain stranded alongside the road.

“Thank you, my lord.” She pulled her skirts from her waistband and tugged the coat tighter around her shoulders. “This is very kind of you.”

He brushed his dark hair back, and she noted he’d had it trimmed since their arrival in London. She could not say whether she preferred the shorter, more fashionable style or his locks hanging over his collar.

Adeline allowed her stare to wander from his hair to his face and down to his neck, his scars only slightly visible above his collar. In her opinion, the burn marks did more to enhance his appeal rather than deter from it. Odd that no man in society had gained her notice beyond a single dance—or refreshment—at a ball, yet Jasper, despite his stern demeanor, caused her to think through her every remark and take extra care with her appearance.

The ache of her head from the pins placed with precision to hold her curls high atop her crown was evidence enough of this. If Theo had noted the extra time she’d spent preparing for this usual archery practice, she hadn’t mentioned it.

However, leaving Adeline in Jasper’s care was enough to solidify in Adeline’s mind that Theo was meddling…which was highly suspect as Theo was not usually one to notice connections between individuals, especially from simple glances or witty remarks.

“My carriage is across the park to the east at Albany Street,” he said as if apologizing. “Is the walk too far?”

He glanced down at her feet, and Adeline was happy she’d selected her well-worn half boots that morning.

“I think a stroll through the park sounds lovely, Lord Ailesbury.” Adeline made no attempt to hide her grin. Since their return the previous day, she’d thought they would never again enjoy a moment of privacy without her brother hovering close by with a watchful eye. It had been something she’d taken for granted while at the Abbey. London afforded no seclusion, but that found behind the closed doors of a married couple’s bedchamber. Even at her family’s townhouse, there were her siblings and servants always about. And Jasper and she would never know the privacy of a bedchamber.

A walk through Regent’s Park long before the fashionable members of society ventured forth from their homes was the most solitude they could hope for in London.

Adeline was shocked Theo had departed without leaving so much as a chaperone to accompany them. When Alistair learned of it, she would likely receive a sharp reprimand from her husband.

They’d all accept such a fate to help one another, though, Adeline included. Had she not assisted Theo and Georgie in their scam to compete in their first tourney and thus faced her brother’s wrath?

She and Jasper fell into a companionable silence as they followed the path toward the more populated section of the park. The sun rose ever higher, and soon, Adeline could feel nothing but Jasper’s warmth. Though he knew nearly nothing of London, she felt protected and safe by his side, much as she’d been when they first met.

“The park is lovely, so serene for an area surrounded by such a bustling city.” He kept his steps short and unhurried, matching Adeline’s measured pace. It appeared he was in no rush to return to his coach and deliver her home. “If I were to close my eyes and listen, I could swear I was back on Faversham land.”

“Amazing, is it not?” Adeline turned her face skyward, allowing the breeze to caress her skin but confident Jasper’s coat would keep the chill at bay. “One would not believe the marvels to be seen within London if they did not see them with his or her own eyes.”

“I can now understand your love of London,” he replied.