Page 55 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“I hope the other fellow looks worse, my lord,” she teased. “I assume that would be Lord Ellington.”

“Yes, I sparred with Ellington.”

“I would say more than sparred. I should have warned you of his reputation when I heard you making plans to go to Gentleman Jack’s academy with him.” Louisa smiled at him. “But I thought you could handle yourself.”

Something slammed into Tessa, almost knocking her off-balance.

Jealousy.

She felt ridiculous. If Louisa liked Lord Middlefield, they might be a good match. Just because Tessa herself found him irritating and arrogant did not mean her cousin wouldn’t suit with the earl. Louisa had been out in society for a long time and had never written to Tessa of feeling any man was special. She decided she would encourage Louisa’s attention in Lord Middlefield.

Even if it killed her.

“It is close to our time to depart,” her cousin said. “I saw Lord Middlefield’s carriage waiting outside and know the others should arrive momentarily.”

“Then we should go downstairs,” Tessa told the pair.

They went to the foyer and Abra awaited, holding Tessa’s spencer, bonnet, and reticule in hand. Her maid helped her into them and she turned, ready to go.

The three stepped outside as Tessa told Louisa that Lord Ellington would not be joining them today and that Adalyn would come straight from a fitting.

Lord Wethersby rode up and dismounted, giving his reins to a nearby footman, who led the horse away. He joined them and Tessa repeated her news about Adalyn and Lord Ellington.

“I figured Ellington wouldn’t be here after hearing of his match with you, my lord,” the viscount said. “It was the talk of White’s and Brooks’ both.”

“And how many pretended they bet on me?” Lord Middlefield asked.

Lord Wethersby laughed. “A good many. Though I can’t imagine anyone placing a wager against Ellington before the match began. He is known for his pugilistic skills. Now, however, I doubt anyone would dare bet against you, Middlefield.”

“Where is Miss Allen?” Louisa asked. “She only lives next door.”

“I suppose I should be the one to call for her,” the earl said, sounding resigned to his fate. “After all, this outing originally began when she asked me to escort her to the lecture.”

Tessa recalled how certain Miss Allen was that she would nab Lord Middlefield as her husband and spoke up.

“I will go with you, my lord,” she said pleasantly, tucking her hand through his arm. “Why don’t the two of you step inside the carriage?”

Louisa let out a slight giggle while the viscount bit back a smile.

“Let me help you, Miss Goulding,” Lord Wethersby said.

“Come along, my lord,” Tessa said, hoping she sounded braver than she felt.

As they walked down the pavement, she said, “I am sorry everyone seemed to know Lord Ellington was such an excellent boxer and yet no one warned you of the fact.”

“Well, Gentleman Jack did just before I went into the boxing square.”

“Still,” she said, “I will warn you now. Miss Allen announced to me after dinner the other night that she has decided you are to be her husband.”

“She what?” he roared.

“Quiet, my lord,” Tessa warned. “I am sharing this in confidence.”

“What, exactly, did she say?” he asked as they approached the door.

“She wanted to make certain I was not interested in you and informed me that she would be your betrothed by Season’s end.”

He looked amused. “What might you have told her, Tessa?”

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