Page 58 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

Spencer took that as a hint and rapped on the roof. The carriage began to roll.

“Where are the others?” Miss Allen demanded.

“My cousin, Lady Adalyn, is at a dress fitting. She will join us at the museum when it is completed. Lord Ellington had estate business which claimed his attention.”

“I see,” Miss Allen said dismissively.

Wethersby glanced to Tessa. “You seem to be a frequent visitor to the museum, my lady. Can you tell us more about it?”

“With pleasure, my lord,” Tessa replied and launched into an explanation of the museum.

Spencer could tell her words bored Miss Allen and the woman turned toward him.

“How are you today, Lord Middlefield? I was hoping you would come inside and allow us to visit for a bit.”

“Everyone coming today had already arrived, Miss Allen. I thought it best we not tarry. You never know with London traffic how long it might take to reach somewhere. I know you will want to claim a good seat at the lecture, especially since you were so keen on attending it.”

She gave him a deliberate pout. Spencer supposed there were men who might find it—and her—attractive. However, Miss Allen did not hold a candle to Tessa.

“I will admit that I was mixed up on my days, my lord,” she said, batting her eyelashes at him. “I am not that interested in today’s topic, after all.”

“You shouldn’t have come then,” he stated.

Her pretty pout turned sour. “But I wanted to see you,” she explained.

He could think of no witty response that would keep her at bay and put her in her place at the same time so he said nothing.

Instead, he asked Tessa a question and looked across Miss Allen, joining in on the others’ lively conversation. Lord Wethersby had an interest in the Greeks and Romans and was looking forward to today’s speaker. Spencer began telling the viscount about some of the statues he had viewed on his trip to the museum and the two men chatted affably. All the while, though, he could tell Miss Allen brooded.

They arrived and after everyone had exited the vehicle, he found Miss Goulding had taken Wethersby’s arm. Spencer hoped Tessa wouldn’t do the same and looked to the two women.

“It looks as if I am fortunate enough to escort both of you lovely ladies inside.”

Tessa stepped to one side and took his arm, leaving Miss Allen to join him on the other side. They followed the other two inside, where Tessa was greeted personally even though it was growing crowded.

“I had no idea sepulchral antiquities were quite so popular,” he quipped.

“Mr. Pilson is extremely well known in the field. He is an expert on anything Roman in nature,” Tessa said. “Ah, there is Mr. Smithson. We must say hello.”

They ventured toward the museum employee and he greeted Tessa and Miss Goulding by name. Turning, he added, “And it is good to see you again, Lord Middlefield, shiner and all.”

“I am looking forward to hearing today’s speaker. This is Miss Allen and Lord Wethersby. Mr. Smithson gives guided tours at the museum.”

Wethersby began a conversation with Smithson and Tessa said, “We should go and find seats. We can save some for the others.”

They moved toward the lecture hall but were stopped several times, all by gentlemen congratulating him on his victory over Lord Ellington yesterday. He didn’t know which of them had seen him box in person and which had merely heard of his pairing with Ellington. He briskly thanked all of them and continued steering his two companions toward the lecture hall.

Entering, Tessa pulled on his arm. “Over here, I think. I see more objects on display on this side of the room.”

She moved down a row, leaving the three seats against the wall empty, while sitting in the one next to them. Immediately, Miss Allen muscled through and sat next to Tessa, leaving Spencer to sit to Miss Allen’s left. He paused a moment, thinking Tessa might say something that would allow him to sit in-between the two women.

She didn’t. She merely smiled at him.

He sat.

Miss Allen began talking his ear off, gossiping about people he didn’t know and upcoming events that he had no idea if he was attending or not. He knew he had received a myriad of invitations but hadn’t responded to any. He better, especially if he wanted to pursue Tessa during the Season. He couldn’t do so by sitting alone at home.

Miss Goulding and Lord Wethersby appeared, along with Lady Adalyn. Spencer rose.

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