Page 17 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

They went down the stairs, arm-in-arm, and it comforted Tessa to know she would have this wonderful friend by her side as she made her come-out. Having no experience with men put her a bit on edge. She remembered her mother’s warnings of the rakes of the world and how they would try to take advantage of her. She had been told never to be alone with a man else she would find herself compromised—or worse—if the man in question refused to wed her.

She decided to look for someone like Papa. Steadfast. Loyal. Quiet. Dependable. Most likely a man the exact opposite of the one Adalyn would eventually settle down with. Her cousin was so vivacious and energetic, she would need a husband of high spirits to match her own.

“There you are,” her aunt said as they arrived in the foyer. “I was about to send a maid up to fetch you.” She smiled. “You both look lovely, don’t they, Uxbridge?”

Her uncle smiled. “They do. Middlefield will be struck dumb with their charm and beauty.”

“I doubt that, Papa,” Adalyn said. “I think—”

Tessa elbowed her cousin. “I think it is wonderful that he invited us to dine with him,” believing her cousin would toss out her theory that Middlefield was already taken with Tessa and wanting to silence her.

“At least we don’t need a carriage to simply walk across the square,” Uncle Uxbridge said.

They set out for the short walk. The evening air was a bit cool and she wished she had brought her shawl. Hopefully, the earl’s townhouse would be warmer.

A butler greeted them and escorted them to the drawing room, announcing them. Tessa saw the earl rise from the chair he sat in and was taken in for a moment by how handsome he was in his evening wear. He strode toward them, unsmiling, a serious look upon his face.

“Lord and Lady Uxbridge,” he said, taking her aunt’s hand and then shaking hands with her uncle. “I can’t thank you enough for accepting my invitation to dinner.”

“Wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” her uncle said. “May I introduce my daughter, Lady Adalyn?”

The earl took Adalyn’s hand and kissed it. “A pleasure, my lady.”

“And this is my niece, Lady Tessa Foster,” her uncle added.

Middlefield turned his focus to her and her heart seemed to beat in double time. She gazed up at him, forgetting how tall he was, though she was very tall for a woman. His thick, black hair was swept away from his face. His eyes glittered like emeralds.

“Ah, yes,” the earl said, taking her hand. “We have exchanged pleasantries if not names.”

Pleasantries?

Tessa knew he was merely being polite. Their conversation hadn’t been pleasant at all. In fact, she had been downright angry, while the earl had been overbearing. As her gaze met his, she saw a ghost of a smile and decided he knew exactly what she was thinking.

“When was this?” her aunt asked, curious.

Middlefield turned to Lady Uxbridge. “I ride very early each morning but my horse turned up lame so I chose to walk yesterday. Lady Tessa was also out for a walk and we spoke briefly.”

Her aunt clucked her tongue. “Oh, Tessa, you are going to have to give up those early morning walks. These country hours you insist upon keeping simply won’t do when the Season begins. Why, I do not see how you get up and walk before you even breakfast. It would be beyond me.” She smiled coquettishly at the earl. “I never rise before eleven and, even then, I breakfast in my room.”

“I admire Lady Tessa’s commitment to walking,” Middlefield said, surprising her. “I myself enjoy exercise, walking, in particular. It is not only good for the body but the soul.”

“Why do you say that?” she asked, wondering what he meant.

He shrugged. “If I have troubles, I walk them away. If I encounter a problem I cannot solve, walking helps me think through it.”

“I know what you mean,” she said softly. “I also walk as much for my peace of mind as I do for the exercise.”

Tessa looked at Middlefield with new eyes. He seemed to do the same with her for a long moment.

The butler appeared. “Dinner is served, my lord.”

The spell seemed to be broken. She turned away, embarrassed at the blush that heated her cheeks.

“Might I escort you in to dinner, Lady Uxbridge?” the earl asked.

“Why, I would be delighted, my lord.”

Her aunt took Middlefield’s arm and they left the room.

---