Page 16 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

Chapter Five

Tessa looked ather image in the mirror and smiled. She turned and said, “You are a natural, Abra.”

Her new lady’s maid grinned broadly. “I think so, too, my lady.”

It was hard to believe that Abra had only joined the household yesterday morning. After a day’s tutelage from Bridget and becoming familiar with Tessa’s wardrobe, the two servants had experimented with various hairstyles on both Tessa and Adalyn. Bridget would try something on her mistress and Abra would try to copy it with Tessa. Abra had caught on quickly and even seemed to surpass Bridget’s skill with hair.

She stood. “That will be all. I will ring for you when we return from dinner.”

The girl smiled. “I am liking this work, my lady.” She smoothed the skirts of her uniform. “I like what I do and how I look. I didn’t know I could be this happy.”

Without warning, Abra threw her arms about Tessa and hugged her tightly. Rather than reprimanding her for inappropriate behavior, Tessa returned the hug.

Abra broke away. “I won’t do that again. I promise.” She rolled her eyes. “Bridget would have my hide for even thinking about hugging you. But I did want to show you how much I appreciate you.”

Tears misted Tessa’s eyes. “I think we are lucky to have one another.”

As Abra left, Adalyn entered the room and said, “Oh, you should always wear that shade of light blue, Tessa. It truly brings out the color of your eyes. And your hair is marvelous. Perhaps I might steal Abra away from you and let you have Bridget.”

She shook her head. “Don’t let Bridget hear you say that. She is quite assertive and would probably take it out on poor Abra.”

“Are you ready for your first foray into society tonight?” her cousin asked.

Tamping down her nerves, she replied, “It is only dinner. With one earl. It is not a truetonevent.”

Adalyn sniffed. “It may be an intimate gathering tonight but oftentimes a small dinner party includes a good twenty to thirty people.”

“Are you joking?”

“Not a bit. This will be good practice for you, though. You never really dined out or with guests before now. Just family.”

It was true. Her father enjoyed the peace of the country and they never had visitors beyond family when there. She had been on the brink of experiencing the world when her come-out was delayed. Now, five years later, she felt absolutely ancient and a bit terrified to attend social events. At least she would have Adalyn and Louisa by her side when the Season began.

As for tonight, she couldn’t understand her nerves. It was just one meal with one man—and her family would be present.

“Bridget says the earl is quite good-looking.”

“How would Bridget know?”

Adalyn grinned. “Abra told her so. She told Bridget that the earl must be smitten with you and that is why he extended an invitation to dinner to Papa. You, naturally, would be included in the family.”

“Abra is making too much of this,” Tessa protested. “Yes, Middlefield was rather nice-looking but he seemed quite overbearing. Not someone I would like to get to know at all. You are bolder than I, Adalyn. Perhaps the earl is meant for you.”

Adalyn sighed. “I don’t know what I am going to do. I have enjoyed my freedom and the fact I am not seeing any one gentleman exclusively. Half of the eligible bachelors are terrible rogues and would take too much work to tame. The other half are wishy-washy. They don’t care to commit to anything and seem rather weak to me. They even seem afraid of me.”

“I am sure they are. You are very strong in your beliefs and never one to keep quiet about anything. That’s what I love about you. You will find the right man. I know it.”

It surprised her when Adalyn teared up. “I am not at all certain that will ever happen. I have begun thinking about children. If I turn twenty-five and still haven’t become betrothed, I am going to accept the first man that offers for me. I don’t want to be placed upon the shelf. I want to live. To learn. To have children and pass along my zest for living to them.”

“Who knows? Perhaps the Earl of Middlefield will catch your fancy.”

Adalyn laughed. “I predict he will catch yours.”

Tessa sensed her cheeks heat and turned away, picking up her gloves and putting them on.

“Shouldn’t we be going downstairs?” she asked once her gloves were in place.

“Yes. Papa is a stickler for being on time. Why, I have never understood. No one in thetoncares about arriving on time. And Heaven help the man who arrives early at an event.”

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