Page 78 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

Spencer caught her elbow as she turned away and pulled her back toward him. “I will.”

“What?” she asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because it is the first time we are parting since becoming engaged. I am loath to separate from you.”

She laughed, thinking him quite romantic. “You are most amusing. Now go. I will fetch my aunt and Adalyn.”

This time as Tessa turned, Spencer caught her wrist and pulled her to him again. But he didn’t merely study her. He bent and brushed his lips softly against hers in a sweet, lingering kiss.

When he released her, she didn’t even bother to glance about and see if any of the servants had seen them kiss or not. She didn’t care.

She was in love.

Tessa danced up the stairs, going first to her aunt’s rooms and knocking upon the door. When she was bidden to enter, she did and told her aunt she had something of great importance to discuss with her in the library.

Her aunt bit back a smile. “I would guess at your news but I see you want to share it with all of us at the same time.”

Tessa nodded. “You understand me well. You always have. Why don’t you go to the library, Tessa? I will fetch Adalyn and we will be there shortly. If you go to her now, she will get it out of you.”

“I am certain you are correct.” She chuckled. “Very well, I will see you downstairs.”

Entering the library, she saw her uncle already present with Spencer and crossed to them.

“Do I need to send for champagne?” Uncle Uxbridge asked, his eyes full of mischief.

“It wouldn’t hurt,” she said loftily. “I think a glass of champagne would be just the thing.”

Her uncle rang and Rainey appeared.

“Champagne for five, Rainey. As soon as possible.”

The butler smiled broadly at Tessa and said, “Right away, my lord,” quickly exiting the room.

Adalyn entered with her mother in tow and said, “What is going on? Bridget was trying a new hairstyle out on me for this evening but Mama insisted I come to the library with her immediately.” Her cousin’s eyes flicked from Tessa to Spencer and back to Tessa again. She gasped. “Don’t tell me. You are—”

“Engaged,” Tessa provided. “And very happy about it,” she added.

Hearty congratulations occurred and, soon after, Rainey appeared with the champagne.

Her uncle raised his glass and said, “Your parents would have been so pleased at this news, Tessa, just as your aunt and I are happy, as well. You are a daughter to us and I hope you will do me the honor of allowing me to escort you down the aisle whenever the time comes.”

She glanced to Spencer. “We haven’t even talked about dates,” she said anxiously. “What are your thoughts?”

Spencer took her hands in his and squeezed them. “My thoughts are to find out how and when I might be able to purchase a special license.”

Everyone laughed and Tessa said, “So, you want to marry quickly?”

“It would be my desire to do so but I will not deny you the Season you never had, much less a wedding you have always dreamed of.”

“I don’t really care about the Season anymore,” she admitted. “All I care about is becoming your wife. I have never dreamed of a largetonwedding and, in fact, I would prefer it be much smaller. Perhaps we might have it here and the wedding breakfast, as well.”

She looked to her aunt. “Would that be agreeable with you?”

Her aunt beamed. “We are happy to host your wedding, my dear.” She looked up at Spencer and said, “If you could give us a week, my lord. It takes time to bake a cake and prepare other foods for the wedding breakfast. I will need to know your favorites to serve. I already know Tessa’s preferences.”

Glancing back to Tessa, her aunt added, “We must think of the dress which can serve as your wedding gown. A week is too soon to have a new one made up but you have several you may choose from that you had created for the Season.”

Adalyn said, “Oh, I know exactly which one Tessa should wear.”

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