Adeline stared into the looking glass as Poppy slipped the final button through its intended hole and dipped her head to her mistress before departing the room. The door had not so much as latched closed before her friends leapt from their various seats around her bedchambers to stand beside her.

Each woman had selected a gown befitting their individual style. Georgie’s was a low-cut, daring dark red with a glittering jeweled waistband. Josie wore a peach concoction better suited to a girl fresh from the schoolroom than a woman of her age. And, Theo, as always, had chosen a conservative, high-necked, full-skirted, light green dress that enhanced the sheen of her dark hair.

Adeline’s gown was a shimmering blue with a moss green overskirt and cream lace embellishments, and she had a tight pearl choker around her throat. Against her mother’s wishes, Adeline had had her hair curled and left it to hang free over her shoulders and down her back. She cared not a whit women her age preferred their hair arranged high atop their crowns and beaded through with lengths of ribbon or pearls.

Her entire ensemble would not have been something she’d chosen only a month before. Not even a week before.

“You are stunning, Adeline,” Theo gushed.

“The coloring matches your complexion superbly,” Josie sighed, clutching her hands to her chest as she looked ready to swoon.

“And quite reserved for you,” Georgie added.

The gown was nothing like she would have longed for in the past. Normally, she would have selected a dress far more similar to Georgie’s with its daring neckline and bold hue, perhaps in a deep blue with sapphires at her neck, ears, and wrist.

“The dress is perfect.” Josie glanced down at her own gown, her pale complexion matching the peach colored material that was likely altered from a morning gown design to fit the night’s festivities. It was no secret that the woman’s family barely had the funds to even remain in London; however, Georgie—with Adeline’s help—made certain their friend never went without. “I envy your talent for commissioning gowns, Adeline.”

Adeline smiled at her friend in the looking glass. “This night would not be possible if it weren’t for all of you.”

It was hard to believe the trio had gone to such lengths to make sure Adeline’s birthday celebration was a success. Even now, the strings of the small orchestra carried up the stairs from the ballroom below and echoed through the halls to be heard in Adeline’s chambers.

Guests were likely arriving in droves.

All for her…

But she only thought of one man—longed to see one lord, and desired only his eyes on her.

“Do you think Lord Ailesbury will come tonight?” Adeline hadn’t meant to put voice to her concerns. Hadn’t intended to bring up the man’s name at all, especially before three women who knew her as keenly as she knew herself.

“Did he not say he was coming when he delivered you home this afternoon?” Theo asked, reaching forward to adjust the shoulder of Adeline’s gown.

“Yes, but—“

“Then he will be here,” Georgie replied, matter-of-factly.

“How can you be so certain?” She’d had to stop herself from sending a missive around to his townhouse earlier, verifying his attendance at the ball.

“While I have only just met the man, my deductive reasoning says he is a lord of his word: polite, well-mannered, and gentlemanly at every turn.” Theo nodded as if her deductive reasoning were all the proof Adeline needed to gain confidence in her words. “Lord Ailesbury accepted Alistair’s invitation and also spoke to you about attending. He will be here, I am certain of it.”

Adeline wished she held even a fraction of Theo’s confidence, but after their turn in the park, she was not at all certain Jasper relished an entire evening on display before the ton.

“He is a fierce lord,” Josie said. “I barely found my tongue when around him.”

“…the man is dashingly handsome, despite his, errr, damage,” Georgie added.

It was the first time her friends had mentioned Jasper’s scars, and Adeline fought back the need to bite out a harsh retort. She must remember that these women were her friends and would never say anything to disparage Jasper.

“What do you think of the man?” Theo’s intense stare met Adeline’s in the mirror, and she looked away quickly, forcing her interest to the lace at her waist. “Come now, you must have some fondness for the man if you accepted his offer to escort you back to London and invited him to our practice this morning.”

If she made eye contact with any of the woman in the room, they would see the true fondness that had grown between her and Jasper—or at least the attraction she had for him.

“You are likely hesitant to speak of him or have him attend you in public.” Georgie shrugged and turned to collect her dance card from the table next to Adeline’s bed.

“Whatever do you mean by that?” Adeline snapped.

“Only that his physical scars are not what most women find themselves drawn to.”

“I do not notice his scars.” Her voice held a force she hadn’t intended, belying everything she’d said. Taking a calming breath, she faced Georgie. “Jasper, Lord Ailesbury, is far more than his scars. I have gotten to know the man behind them—very well.”

Georgie only huffed and focused her attention on tying the ribbons of her dance card around her narrow wrist.

“I have witnessed his kind heart firsthand,” Adeline stumbled over her words in her rush to defend Jasper—to the only group of people she’d never thought she’d need defend him to. “He saved a man from certain death at his plant in Faversham. And he was humble about it. A child thanked him and he…he…” Adeline hadn’t known the exact words that passed between the pair before her mother collected her, but he’d been kind to the child. She was certain of that.

“Do you know his intention with you?” Theo asked, still at her side.

“Yes, Adeline, do you think he will offer a proper courtship? Mayhap speak with your brother about offering for your hand?” Josie lowered herself to sit on Adeline’s neatly arranged bed. “Imagine being betrothed to Lord Ailesbury!”

“Nothing has been promised nor mentioned beyond him escorting me back to London and accepting my brother’s invitation.” Adeline sighed, surprised to discover she wanted his intentions to reach farther—last longer—than the mere few days they’d had together. “He has been a gentleman since the moment we met. He is kind to his servants and is an admirable listener. He has much dedication to his people and the land surrounding his family home in Kent.”

“No mention of handsomeness, title, wealth, or landholdings…”

“A man is more than the title and wealth he possesses,” Adeline threw back at Georgie.

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?”