Page 18 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

Her uncle grinned. “I suppose I am left to escort the likes of you two.” He raised both forearms and Tessa and Adalyn placed their hands upon them. “Let’s see what the earl might serve us. I do hope something sweet.”

She laughed aloud. Her uncle was famous for his sweet tooth and Adalyn had inherited it from him. She liked sweets but just as easily enjoyed savory fare.

They arrived in the dining room and Adalyn leaned across her father and said, “I saw how he looked at you.”

“Stop,” Tessa warned.

“Do as she says, Adalyn,” Uxbridge agreed.

Her cousin pursed her lips. “It is a conspiracy against me,” she said in a mocking tone.

The three of them joined the earl and her aunt at the far end of the table which seated twelve.

“I hope you don’t mind that I asked for us all to be placed at this end. I see no point in shouting down the table at a guest. In my opinion, the distance keeps the conversation from flowing.”

“That is very thoughtful of you, my lord,” Adalyn said sweetly, her eyes then cutting to Tessa as she grinned.

Their host took the seat at the head of the table, with her uncle and aunt placed on his right. She and Adalyn were directed to sit to his left and her cousin quickly claimed the seat furthest from the earl, leaving Tessa to be seated directly at the earl’s left hand. Gritting her teeth, she allowed a footman to seat her. After all, it was only one dinner. She could survive that.

And damn the man.

He was charming. A bit reserved but he opened up as the meal progressed, much as her father might have under similar circumstances. Lord Uxbridge urged their host to talk a bit about his army career and he did so, downplaying the dangers of war and making light of what occurred in camp.

“I was fortunate to be with several friends so it made a bad situation better,” Middlefield told his guests.

“Who were these friends?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“Two, Owen and Everett, were from my earliest school days. We met that first day. Or at least I met them. They were neighbors and had known one another their entire lives. Everett was quite shy, while Owen thinks it is his mission in life to conquer the world.” He chuckled. “He very well may do it someday.”

“It must have been a comfort to have familiar faces nearby,” Tessa remarked.

“I also had two very close friends from our university days with me. Percy and Win. Percy and I were officers in one regiment. Owen in another. And Win and Everett in a third. All were under Wellington’s command. Being officers, we saw each other frequently in meetings and worked together in training and drilling the men under our command. Those four are as brothers to me. Closer than brothers.”

She heard the emotion in his voice. He reached for his wine goblet and drank deeply before setting it down.

“How is it being the new earl?” Adalyn asked. “Of course, we knew your father and brother, residing so close to one another in town.”

His brow furrowed. “I am learning, my lady. I wasn’t brought up to be an earl. I was meant for the military. The change has been, to say the least, a little disarming.”

“Was it hard to walk away from the career you had always envisioned for yourself?” Tessa asked.

His gaze turned to her and the earl nodded. “Yes. Very much so. My life was the army. I breathed duty and loyalty to my country. My father wished for me to come home when my brother, Wilford, died several years ago. I chose to remain on the front. I believed myself more valuable there than home in England. Father was in good health and I didn’t question him running things. He did an excellent job until the bitter end. Now, I must pick up his mantle and try to do the best I can for my tenants.”

“I know your steward to be excellent,” her uncle said. “Middlefield told me enough times how pleased he was with the man.”

“Yes, Mr. Pimmel is quite knowledgeable. He took me in hand the moment I arrived at Stoneridge and taught me a great deal. It was only because he is so capable that I felt comfortable coming to London for the Season.”

“Have you ever been to it before?” Lady Uxbridge asked.

“No, my lady. I went straight from university into the army without a backward glance. I fear I have as much to learn about thetonand social affairs as I do matters at Stoneridge.”

The countess smiled. “Adalyn will be an excellent guide for you. She knows all the young people and will be able to introduce you and Tessa around. There is no one more popular than our daughter.”

“Don’t bore the earl, Mama,” warned Adalyn. To Middlefield, she said, “I will be happy to introduce you and my cousin around. Tessa is making her come-out this year. She has been in the country caring for her parents until recently.”

Middlefield caught her eye. “That was very noble of you, my lady. Putting your own life aside while you tended to others.”

“Those others were much beloved by me, my lord. It was no trial but a privilege.”

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