Page 57 of Adeline

“Good evening, Lord Cartwright.” Jealousy spiked when Adeline turned her bright smile on the man. “It is lovely to see you once again. May I introduce Lord Ailesbury from Kent?”

“A pleasure, I am certain,” Cartwright mumbled, sounding anything but pleasured to meet him. “I only wanted to give my well wishes for your birthday, Adeline. I must needs leave quickly.”

“I do understand, Lord Cartwright,” Adeline said, accepting the stiff embrace the man offered. “Your situation is certainly one to be cautious of.”

Jasper was uncertain what irritated him more: the man’s use of her given name, Adeline’s knowledge of his situation, or that Cartwright’s arms were presently touching her back.

“Lord Cartwright—Simon—is Theodora’s elder brother,” Adeline offered, doing nothing to dampen the jealousy at the man’s familiar relationship with her. “Simon, you will be quite interested in Lord Aliesbury’s endeavors in Faversham.” She turned an appreciative look in Jasper’s direction, settling his ire. “He bought the gunpowder plant after the war ended and employs a large number of the villagers.”

Cartwright’s brow rose. “I know very little about weapons of war, but I would be very interested in visiting your plant.”

“I am currently renovating an area of the building that collapsed during the recent storms, but when they are finished, I’d be happy to show you how things work.” Why, oh why, had he offered to escort Cartwright on a tour of Home Works? He knew exactly why. This man meant something to Adeline…and he was determined to find out what. “A wall recently gave way and injured one of my workers.”

“A wall, you say?” When Jasper nodded at Cartwright’s question, the man tapped his chin and closed his eyes, his brows moving up and down before his lids snapped open once more. “It would be my pleasure to work through the calculations and coordinate the measurements and weight requirements to better determine what would constitute a sound, load-bearing wall, as well as the appropriate thickness of the supporting beams to withstand future storms.”

Jasper stared at the man in wonder, partly because he was unaccustomed to such kindness from strangers, but more accurately because he could not fully understand the assistance Cartwright offered.

“It was certainly a pleasure, Lord Ailesbury, but my dear wife is waving frantically at me, and my situation may have suddenly escalated from cautious to dire.”

Jasper followed Adeline’s stare to see a tall, dark-haired woman, heavy with child, leaning against the refreshment table—one hand waving while the other cradled her swollen midsection.

“It appears Theo is to be an aunt for the third time,” Adeline said. “I think it best you hurry and return her home, Simon.”

“Olivia waited fourteen hours to arrive, and Samuel came after twelve. Using simple calculations, I have ten hours until this babe graces us with its presence.”

“I do not think it works that way, my lord,” Jasper said, eyeing Cartwright’s wife, who, while in the late stages, made no show of needing to be whisked away to her birthing suite.

Adeline laughed, pushing Simon in his wife’s direction. “Do see to Jude. The evening is young, and I find myself in need of fresh air, and a stroll on the terrace before Lord Ailesbury and I seek the dance floor once more.”

If the man found it shocking Adeline had promised Jasper another dance, he did not show any signs of it. “Very well, I will take my leave, but please, there is little reason to upset Theo with news of Jude’s less than perfect health. This night means much to her.”

“Your secret shall not pass my lips. But do keep watch over her, Simon.”

“I endeavor to do exactly that.” With a quick embrace for Adeline and a bow to Jasper, Cartwright moved through the crowd to his wife’s side.

“A peculiar man,” Jasper mused.

“You have no idea how peculiar, my lord.” She slipped her arm into his once more and turned her bright eyes on him. “Now, the Melton gardens, while small, are beautiful under the moon’s glow.”

Chapter 22

The chilly night air, as they stepped through the open doors onto the terrace, was a balm to Adeline’s overheated face, neck, and arms. It had nothing to do with the ballroom being warmer than usual and everything to do with Jasper. His hand on her lower back, pulling her ever tighter to him as they danced. His stare on her as they conversed with Theo’s brother.

Every inch of her blazed with unbidden heat, and, at some point, that heat had changed to a deep-seated need. A desirous longing that she’d never experienced before.

One dance with Jasper was not enough.

An entire day would not be sufficient to keep her satisfied, her mind full of memories after Jasper returned to Faversham.

This night was their goodbye.

She’d known from the moment they left Kent Jasper would deposit her in London and his duty to her would be fulfilled. She should be content with the additional time she’d been allowed to spend with him; though it only seemed to make her want him more.

It had taken but a brief moment to realize the shiver running down her body, the flutter in her stomach, the tightening in her chest was due to one thing.

One complex, all-consuming emotion.

Love.