Page 25 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

He saw how the porter’s words pleased his companion.

“My maid, Abra, is also coming inside,” Lady Tessa said, gesturing for Abra to come and join them.

Mr. Casher smiled. “I hope you all enjoy your visit. And don’t forget the Egyptology lecture, my lady. It begins at one o’clock.”

“We won’t. It is the primary reason we came today.”

They were given access and an elderly man with hair as white as snow smiled as they approached.

“Lady Tessa!” he cried out. “They told me you were back in the city. I have been away visiting my daughter and my three grandchildren.”

“Mr. Smithson, it is wonderful to see you.” She hugged the gentleman and turned to Spencer. “Mr. Smithson gave me my first guided tour through the museum many years ago. He was always mine and Papa’s favorite guide.”

The assistant librarian chuckled. “Probably because I let you in before you should have been allowed.”

“You knew I wasn’t ten?” she asked.

“Of course, I did, my lady. You were tall and mature for your age but I knew you were nowhere close to ten years of age.”

“I never knew that,” she said. “At least you came to the conclusion that I was no ruffian and would never damage anything on display.”

“I did,” Mr. Smithson said. “Lord Paxton had been coming for many years. I knew he would have passed his interest along to you.” He turned to Spencer. “Lady Tessa could replace me. Even though she didn’t visit us for a few years, she still knows more about this place than I believe I ever will.”

He thought of her buried in the country, tending to her ill parents, watching them slowly slip away. Pity filled him.

“I am happily placing myself in Lady Tessa’s hands,” Spencer told the man. “It is my first visit here. She tells me I will want to make several more.”

“I would listen to her, my lord,” Smithson advised. “Do you need me today, my lady, or would you rather do the honors?”

He spoke up. “I would like to see the museum through your eyes, Lady Tessa.”

“Very well.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Come along, Abra.”

As they moved toward a huge staircase, Spencer asked, “What will we see today?”

“We will be going upstairs since the lower floor is full of printed books. Upstairs there are works of art and treasures such as minerals, shells, and fossils. Even birds, insects, and snakes. We can save those for another time. I want you to see the gallery instead. It contains the Greek and Roman sculptures. The terra cottas. The Roman sepulchral antiquities.” Her face lit up. “And the best of all—the Egyptian antiquities. Since that is the focus of today’s lecture, I thought it would be best to start with the Egyptian section and then see other items in the gallery if we have time.”

“I’m going to wander about a bit, my lady,” Abra said. “See what I like and don’t like.”

“Very well, Abra,” Lady Tessa said. “I hope you find something to your liking. The museum is full of wonders. Come along, my lord. This way.”

He offered her his arm and glanced over his shoulder. Abra had the audacity to wink at Spencer and then she hurried away, heading back down the staircase. With no other visitors in sight, Spencer finally found himself alone with Lady Tessa.

Just as he’d hoped.

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