Page 68 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“He did. There is no sense rubbing it in about poor Ellington. He has suffered enough, both physically and in reputation. It’s certain that everyone who was afraid to box with him before will want to do so now and he will grow weary from the number of challenges he will face.”

“You sound very sympathetic toward him.”

“Only up to a point.”

“What point?” she asked curiously.

“My sympathy stops when it concerns Lord Ellington’s interest in you.”

“Oh!”

They had reached the buffet and she knew their conversation should remain private. Tessa turned her attention to the food at hand, marveling at the amount and variety. Soon, her plate was filled and they returned to the table.

Lord Huxley looked a bit contrite as they sat. He rose and helped Adalyn to her feet.

“We are going to partake in the buffet now,” her cousin told them and they left.

She sampled a few savory dishes and then went straight to the sweets, saying, “They look almost too pretty to eat but I will not allow that to stop me.”

“Back to Ellington,” Spencer said.

Tessa wished she could stop thinking of him as Spencer but the damage had been done. He looked as a Spencer should though she had known none before tonight.

“He is good-looking and oozes self-confidence. I know he will try to court you. Be wary of him, Tessa.”

“Lady Tessa,” she prompted.

“Lady Tessa,” he said evenly, giving her a devastating smile. “I have asked around a bit and he is not for you.”

She finished chewing her bite and then said, “I would love to know why you think so, my lord.”

“Spencer,” he urged, ignoring her eyeroll. “Ellington is a bit of a rogue. I doubt he has begun contemplating settling down, much less thinking about children. You need someone more mature than he is.”

“He is older than you. I believe thirty or so.”

“Maturity does not come with age but with experience,” he countered. “Lord Ellington has led an easy, soft life while I have been on my own much of mine and away at war.” He paused, growing serious. “War allows a man to realize what is important, Tessa. For me, that is a wife and our family.”

Oh, he was saying all the right things to worm his way into her heart yet Tessa still resisted him. Part of her wanted to believe him. Trust him. But she still worried that he was too much for her. He was very much a man, imposing and demanding. Even his very posture told of his strength and sheer physicality. She had thought she wanted a kind, affable man such as her father.

And found herself wanting this man instead.

Her admission flustered her and she glanced away, looking across the room.

“There are so many people here tonight,” she remarked.

He reached and covered her hand that rested in her lap. Her eyes flew to meet his. Fortunately, they were in a corner and she doubted anyone could see that he held it.

“There is only one person here tonight that I find worth knowing. Worth spending time with. That is you, Tessa. You.”

She found herself wavering and looked at him, helpless to speak.

“May I call upon you tomorrow afternoon?”

She nodded.

“And might we go riding in Hyde Park afterward?’

“Yes,” she whispered.

His hand, so large and warm, squeezed hers. “Good,” he pronounced.

Tessa decided she had to kiss him a third time. This time, she would refuse to be swept away by the kiss. She would analyze it—and decide if Spencer truly was husband material.

---