Page 20 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

Middlefield helped her rise and they returned to the others. “I never played but I enjoy music. My brother played for a short time and then quit. I have told Lady Tessa I will have the instrument tuned for her. Then I will invite you to return and we can hear her play again.”

“You could always come to dinner and hear her on our pianoforte,” Uncle Uxbridge said. “Say, next Tuesday?”

“I would be delighted to do so, my lord,” the earl said, bowing his head in acknowledgement.

They spoke for a few minutes and then Adalyn said, “I don’t suppose you are interested in lectures, Lord Middlefield.”

“What kind of lectures, my lady?”

“Poetry. Science. Religion. Antiquities,” Adalyn said loftily.

Tessa knew what was coming but could not nudge her cousin to make her stop without it seeming too obvious.

“Tessa is forever dragging me to all sorts of lectures, mostly at the British Museum. Might you care to accompany us sometime? In fact, there is one tomorrow,” Adalyn mused. “What is the topic?” she asked Tessa.

“Egyptian antiquities,” she said tersely, knowing perfectly well Adalyn knew the topic. “With a focus on the Rosetta Stone being the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs.”

Adalyn sighed deeply. “See? Even hearing the topic bores me silly.”

“I have wanted to see the British Museum since I came to town,” Middlefield said. “I suppose this would be a good excuse to do so.”

“We could go early and allow you to walk the museum and see this all-important stone before the lecture begins,” Adalyn said. She turned to Tessa. “Isn’t the lecture scheduled for one o’clock?”

“It is,” she said reluctantly.

“Yes. We should plan on it,” Middlefield said.

Tessa listened to the pair set a time and then her uncle said it was time to bid their host good evening.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Middlefield. My family and I have enjoyed getting to know you.”

“It has been a most pleasant way for me to pass my evening, as well, Lord Uxbridge.” He looked to Tessa. “I will see you two ladies tomorrow morning.”

“We look forward to it,” Adalyn said demurely.

The earl accompanied them downstairs and they said goodnight. The moment the door closed, Tessa linked her arm through Adalyn’s and held her back as her aunt and uncle started across the square.

“Why are you playing matchmaker?” she demanded.

Adalyn grinned. “Because he is a very handsome man who couldn’t seem to take his eyes off you the entire evening.”

“Why did you invite him to come with us tomorrow?”

The grin widened. “Because I thought it would be a wonderful way for you to get to spend more time with him before the Season begins. Oh, don’t be angry with me, Tessa. Lord Middlefield is suave and cultured. He’s very well spoken. Mama liked him.”

“For you. Not me,” she said.

“Well, he doesn’t suit me at all. He’s a bit reserved. A little too bookish for my tastes.”

“And you think that is what I want?”

“Admit it, Tessa. That he is the tiniest bit handsome. And intelligent.”

Grudgingly, she nodded. “He is. Nice to look upon and intelligent enough.”

“And he likes you.”

“He does not,” she protested, moving toward their townhouse, bringing Adalyn along with her.

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