Page 12 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
“So, you admit it—you feel affection towards him?”
Adelaide fought the urge to roll her eyes. “He is a dear friend of the family. I feel affection for all of the Fitzwilliams, in equal measure. Are you suggesting I have romantic inclinations towards his father?”
“Now you are being ridiculous.”
“No, Leah,youare being ridiculous,” she insisted. “I have positively urged Jasper to call upon you.”
Leah frowned. “You have?”
“Of course. You and he are both my friends—why should I not delight in a union between you?”
Leah’s expression darkened. “Then why has he not sought me out?”
“That, I cannot answer. You would have to ask him yourself.”
“Perhapshisaffections towards you are not platonic.”
“They are, I assure you.” People were starting to stare. In a last-ditch effort to preserve some dignity, Adelaide turned Leah inwards and lifted her finger to her lips. To her relief, Leah seemed to understand. Still, she would not be silenced on the matter entirely.
“Why else would he seek to dissuade you if he did not feel romantic affections for you?”
Adelaide sighed. “He does not think the Duke of Bradford is suitable. I happen to think otherwise.”
“Yes, but why would he interfere?”
“He has a protective streak, I suppose,” Adelaide admitted. “It is one of the qualities that you should admire about him, instead of resenting it. Truly, he feels nothing for me but friendship. I have seen the way he behaves around you, Leah. You leave him utterly tongue-tied and enraptured. It is you he adores. He finds me to be a nuisance.” She forced a nervous laugh, conscious of many eyes upon her.
“Really?” Leah’s voice softened.
“Really.”
“You have given me a great deal to think about,” Leah mused. “Perhaps, you may send a message to Jasper for me?”
Adelaide shook her head. “I am afraid I cannot be your go-between. You must allow the postal service to do that for you.”
“Why not?” The defensive tone returned with increased ferocity.
“I would not have you accuse me of tampering or altering any message he may send in reply. No, this is best settled between the pair of you, without my interference.”
“I would not accuse you of such a disgraceful thing.”
Adelaide offered a dry smile. “Even so, I do not wish to take on the responsibility.”
“Very well,” Leah muttered.
“Now, if you will excuse me, I must visit the powder room.” Adelaide stood before Leah could respond and made her way to the next table. There, she paused to explain to Lady Francesca and the Countess where she was going. They offered to accompany her, but she refused. Truthfully, she needed a moment alone to collect her flustered thoughts. Leah and her anxieties had taken a great deal out of her.
Making her way out of the ballroom, she struggled to ignore the whispers that susurrated all around. Down every hallway, all she could hear was, “the Duke of Bradford,” and several unkind remarks about her appearance. She heard one or two crass mutterings about his reputation, too. It seemed everyone knew of his checkered past, aside from her. Not that it mattered. He was the most eligible bachelor she was ever likely to entice, and she was not about to let go of the security he offered. People could say what they liked.
Halfway down the main hall, she froze. Jasper stood in an alcove with two other gentlemen. One of them had his back to her, but the other was a fellow she vaguely recognized, Gordon Wealdstone, Baron Rowntree, a shadowy individual who was well-known in London for his unsavory dealings. There had even been a murder trial some years ago, with Lord Rowntree at the center of it. Naturally, he had managed to purchase his way out of a sentence and returned to the streets soon after. As rumor had it, the court and the government were too scared to strip him of his title, for fear of what his retribution might be.
What is Jasper doing, speaking with a man such as that?she wondered.Does he not realize that he can be seen? They may be conversing in the shadows, but there will undoubtedly be gossip. Well, if anyone is brave enough to spread such rumor, anyway.
Infamy seemed to benefit Lord Rowntree. Why hide away and do business in secret when he could conduct his dealings in plain sight, safe in the knowledge that nobody would be stupid enough to breathe a word?
Adelaide approached tentatively, just as the third man turned. Her heart jolted as a familiar face greeted her.
“Papa? Whatever are you doing here?” she gasped.
