Page 59 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“Don’t come past us. It is a tight fit. Lady Tessa, you should move down. Here, let me help you.”

He moved past Miss Allen and took Tessa’s elbow, guiding her to the far seat—and then sitting down beside her. Turning, he smiled at Miss Allen.

“Please do move down, Miss Allen. That will allow the others to claim their seats.”

She did, fuming.

Spencer bit the inside of his cheek to keep from erupting in laughter.

Tessa turned away and faced the wall, her body shaking with silent laughter.

Graciously, he said, “You were talking about a ball, Miss Allen?”

Happy to have his full attention once more, the chit began babbling again. He didn’t listen to a word she said. Instead, he was aware of Tessa on his other side. He had smelled the lavender scent on her in the carriage and again caught a whiff of it.

God, how he wanted to kiss her again.

Thank goodness Mr. Smithson appeared at the front of the room. The crowd, which had been murmuring, now fell silent.

“It is my great honor today to welcome to the British Museum a scholar of notable fame.”

Smithson went on, elaborating on the qualifications of Pilson, whom Spencer spied standing off to the side. When the lengthy introduction finished, a sound round of applause was heard as Pilson took the stage.

“Thank you for that warm greeting,” the man of slight stature said. “And thank you for the warm welcome. Roman antiquities gained my attention many years ago when I was boy fascinated by both the Greeks and especially the Romans.”

As Pilson began to speak about sepulchral antiquities, Spencer felt a nudge against his boot. Coming from Miss Allen. He dared not look at her because if he did so, it might encourage her. Besides, he was a large man and had really nowhere to move to. If he leaned to his right, he would be infringing upon Tessa’s space. Not that he would have minded that, but she certainly would have harsh words for him afterward if he did. Or worse.

She might say something right now.

Though he didn’t think she would draw attention to them, considering she, her cousins, and Miss Allen were the only ladies present in the room, full of over one hundred gentlemen.

He thought he heard a noise coming from Tessa. Miss Allen’s slipper nudged him again and he shifted in his seat, still having nowhere to put his booted feet except directly in front of him. Spencer did his best to focus on Pilson’s lecture. The scholar was well-informed and presented many details that Spencer found fascinating.

Then the chit did it again.

This time, her hands, which had been folded demurely in her lap, were unfolded. She allowed the right one to slip from her thigh and rest in-between her leg and his, pressing against his leg in a most unseemly fashion. Now, he was in a true dilemma. He didn’t want his hand anywhere near hers. Especially in a room full of gentlemen representing Polite Society. As he debated on what to do, Tessa snickered.

Snickered.

Spencer eased his arms up until they were crossed over his broad chest. They would remain there until the end of the lecture.

He turned his head slightly, tilting it downward, and said, “Snickers, Tessa?”

She glanced at him, mischief in her eyes, and bit her lower lip to keep from laughing aloud. The gesture kept her quiet but it caused a frisson of desire to ripple through him.

He wanted to be the one biting into that soft, plump lip.

He would do so soon. He had taken an opportunity earlier while they were in Lord Uxbridge’s drawing room. A calculated risk because the door had been left open since she had no chaperone. He figured Lady Adalyn and Lady Uxbridge must not be at home because Tessa would have sent for them promptly to act as chaperones when he arrived.

After their kiss, Tessa could not deny what was between them. She was stubborn, however, and he could only do so much to point out to her what lay between them. Spencer would have to continue to do whatever he could manage in order to persuade Tessa that she was destined to be his countess.

He turned his attention back to Mr. Pilson, glad that Miss Allen made no further, unwelcomed moves upon his person. When the lecture ended, the scholar opened it up for questions. Several men asked him various things and Pilson had quick answers for them. Then it surprised him when Tessa raised her hand.

It must have surprised the speaker as well because he looked in her direction and blinked rapidly, as if he didn’t know women could think, much less speak.

“Yes,” Pilson asked hesitantly. “You . . . have a question, my lady?”

“I do,” Tessa said confidently.

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