Page 36 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

Chapter Ten

Spencer knew Tessawas more than put out with him. She hadn’t said a single word on the carriage ride from Bloomsbury to Mayfair. Abra had caught his eye and mouthed “What’s wrong?” but he shook his head and turned away.

After her reaction now to him being invited to tea, he knew it would be more than an uphill battle.

It would be a bloody war.

He wondered if Tessa might be worth all the trouble he foresaw in the coming weeks. After all, a myriad of young ladies would be making their come-out this Season. He was a wealthy earl with good looks to spare. Surely, it would be easier courting someone fresh on the scene. He might even find a woman even more beautiful and intelligent than Tessa.

But she was the one he wanted.

Tessa had captured his heart, which had knocked Spencer for a loop. Owen would never understand this. His friend played the field, fliting from woman to woman. Win, too, was much the same, chasing any female in a skirt. His other friends, Ev and Percy, would be more understanding. Percy was much like Spencer—reserved, dutiful, and one who very much stuck to the rules. Ev was downright shy, barely conversing unless he had known someone a long time and was comfortable in his company. His quieter companions would be men who sought only one woman and would understand how only one would do.

Spencer wanted Tessa as his countess because he wanted their children to have her determination and spirit. He still had much to learn about being an earl and a member of Polite Society and he could think of no one else he would want by his side more than the golden-haired beauty now simmering with rage as they moved down the corridor toward the drawing room.

The butler announced him and he and Tessa crossed the long room to an intimate seating of chairs with a teacart parked next to it. He greeted Lady Uxbridge and Lady Adalyn first and then shook hands with Lord Uxbridge.

“Please, have a seat,” said the countess.

“Wouldn’t we be more comfortable moving over there? It would give us much more room?” Tessa commented.

“It is only us, Tessa,” her cousin admonished. “This is more appropriate for a small group.”

That meant taking a seat on the only piece of furniture left, a small settee they would have to share. Spencer bit back a smile and allowed Tessa to seat herself first before joining her. Immediately, he understood her reluctance. He was a large man and because of that, the settee wasn’t ideal to share. They were rather crowded together, their sides pressed against one another. Her lavender scent wafted toward him as he relished the warmth of her next to him.

She must be hating every minute of this.

His hostess poured out and they all placed various items on their plates.

“These scones are delicious,” he remarked, which led to a discussion of their favorite dishes their cook made.

Excluding Tessa. She sat mute. And continued to do so throughout the tea unless a direct question was addressed to her.

“How did you enjoy your first visit to the British Museum?” Lady Adalyn asked brightly.

“I found it very pleasing,” he shared. “The number of artifacts is astounding. Of course, Lady Tessa and I could not begin to scratch the surface during our visit. She suggested we concentrate on the rooms devoted to Egypt since today’s lecture was on the Rosetta Stone.”

“Ah, did you see the stone itself?” asked Uxbridge.

“We did. Lady Tessa proved to be an excellent tour guide and shared her extensive knowledge about the Rosetta Stone and other Egyptian antiquities.”

“Tessa could run the museum,” the earl proclaimed.

“She and Uncle Paxton were always going there when we were young,” Lady Adalyn added. “And since we have been back in London, she has been several times.”

“I plan to continue visiting it regularly,” Spencer said. “I have a deep love for history. I am hoping Lady Tessa might accompany me on those trips and act as my guide again.”

He glanced to her, seeing her face void of emotion.

“The British Museum has excellent guides, my lord,” she said stiffly. “Mr. Smithson, in particular, would be the best one to introduce you to further exhibits there. I am afraid with the Season only two weeks away that I will be busy with dress fittings. And once it begins, I won’t have time to visit the museum at all. There will be morning calls to make and others who will call upon us. Afternoon garden and tea parties. Events every night for months. I will be quite busy.”

She smiled sweetly. “But don’t let that stop you from going yourself, my lord.”

“We should talk about the dinner party we want to host for you, my lord,” his hostess said. “My husband told me you are available next Tuesday. I would like to invite those neighbors who live on our square and a few others.”

“Whomever you invite is up to you, Lady Uxbridge. Just tell me what time to show up.”

“Dinner will be served at eight o’clock but we will gather for drinks in the drawing room at seven-thirty,” she said. “Why don’t you come a quarter-hour before that in order to get settled?”

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