Her stomach fluttered at his wink, and she moved from the instrument to the others, turning her attention to Honora and Julia. “Now I will insist that the two of you show us how Christmas carols should sound.”

“Any particular requests?” Honora asked brightly, seeming more outspoken now than Adelaide had ever seen.

“Might you favor us with ‘Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing?’” Gage suggested as he settled back into his seat. “I’ve always admired that piece.”

Honora seemed delighted by the request. “Of course!” She turned to Julia, and they began to converse on the details as they walked to the pianoforte.

“Meanwhile,” Adelaide said, “I will see that Mervyn brings up the Mahogany for us to enjoy.” She gestured to one of the footmen, who nodded briskly and left the room.

Left without occupation, Adelaide found herself looking between Gage and the pretty cousin of his oldest friend as she prepared to sing a song he requested. Her mind spun with sudden ideas and possibilities, her lips curving in a smile.

Basset moved to sit by his sister, then changed course and came to Adelaide instead. “You’re thinking something.”

“Mm-hmm,” she agreed, nodding slowly. “What would you say to Gage and Miss Berkeley?”

“As a match?”

Adelaide gave him a scolding look. “No, as partners for the bowling green. Yes, for a match!”

He looked between the two of them, his expression speculative. “I don’t know. I can see the merit of it, but Gage has not been the same since that business with Margaret Teague when it comes to matters of the heart. Or matrimony, seeing as the two may not be one and the same.”

“As we are proof,” Adelaide muttered, nudging him gently with her elbow.

He only nodded. “But I will say, I do like the idea. Will you suggest it to him?”

Adelaide shook her head. “Not tonight. It is Christmas, after all, and we are about to give Gage a glass of Mahogany. Who knows what he’ll say or do after that?”

Basset shuddered, which supported her thoughts adequately. “No, indeed. Miss Berkeley would never see him in the same light.” He exhaled a quick breath. “Speak to Julia about it after Christmas. I daresay she might join you in the venture.”

“Excellent thought.” She smirked up at him playfully. “Sometimes, Basset, you do have marvelous ideas.”

He looked down at her with a rueful smile. “I should think so. I married you, didn’t I?”

Adelaide quirked her brows at that. “Fortunate man.”

“Glad you think so.” He smiled more fully, a rather ticklish sort of smile, and Adelaide squirmed at it.