Page 26 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

Chapter Seven

Tessa tried notto be upset that Abra had abandoned her. The girl was new in her position and really didn’t understand that she shouldn’t have left her mistress unchaperoned. If anyone saw Tessa alone with Lord Middlefield, even in a public place, it might cause gossip. Of course, the museum seemed as quiet as a tomb now. She supposed like last week, no one would be touring the exhibits at this hour. Closer to the lecture, however, might be a different story. She would make certain they were back downstairs and ready for the speaker, hopefully with Abra nearby.

They reached the section of Greek and Roman antiquities and the earl slowed until they came to a halt. She saw his gaze wandering the room, his eyes lighting up in delight at the treasures contained there. It would be interesting to view the displays through his eyes.

“There are so many items here. I don’t even know where to begin to look.” He took a few steps forward with her on his arm. “To see things I have read about and studied right before my very eyes. I am speechless.”

He looked up at a statue and Tessa could tell he observed every detail of the artist’s work.

“I am surprised since you have such an interest in history that your father did not bring you here when you were in town. Unless he wasn’t interested in history himself,” she added, realizing not everyone shared their love for ancient items and the history behind them.

She sensed tension within him and wondered how she might have upset him.

“I have no idea what he was interested in,” he said brusquely. “It certainly wasn’t me.”

His words shocked her. “I beg pardon?” she said, thinking she had misheard him.

He kept his focus on the statue as he said, “I spent my entire life being ignored. I have no memories of my mother. She died when I was two. I have no idea why. No one ever thought to tell me even after I was old enough to understand.”

Tessa heard the hurt in his voice. Sympathy filled her.

“My brother, the heir apparent, was ten years my senior. I don’t know if we had anything in common because I never really got to know him because of the age difference. Our father worshipped Wilford and invested all of his time and energy into that son. Sometimes I felt as if Wilford were his only child and I was a nobody. A leftover which he forgot about and therefore never thought to acknowledge.”

“That is terrible,” she said, outraged at the thought. “Your father should have showered you with love, especially after the death of your mother.”

Middlefield turned his gaze upon her. “Families are diverse. Your father seems to have been a very different kind of man from mine.”

Her eyes misted with tears. “Papa was generous with his time. I spent a good portion of my days with him from the time I was young. We called upon tenants together. Visited others in the neighborhood. When we came to London for the Season and Mama was busy with dress fittings, he would take me to this museum and to Hyde Park. We would walk along the Serpentine.”

She smiled at the memories. “He taught me how to fold boats from paper to float there. We also would go to the park to ride or fly a kite. I went with him to his tailor’s shop, helping him pick out various materials for his coats. We were inseparable.”

Tessa squeezed his arm. “I am sorry you experienced a different kind of childhood.”

“It made me strong. In character.” He paused. “It was part of the reason I didn’t care to return to England when Wilford died. I had recently graduated from university and Father had purchased my military commission. I had just finished training and left for the Continent, commissioned as a lieutenant. I was with my two childhood friends and two more recent friends from university. I was eager to fight and honor my king and country. I especially felt a strong commitment to the men serving under me.

“Then I received news that Wilford had died and my father wished for me to come home.”

“And you had no desire to do so.”

“Not at all,” he admitted. “My father was in good health. I decided I would continue to serve in the military until we defeated Bonaparte—or until I had to come home.”

“When did you return to England?”

“Last autumn. Father died of dropsy and I knew I could no longer put off seeing to my duties back home. It was with great reluctance that I left my men and friends behind.”

Trying to lighten the mood, Tessa said, “Well, you are here now. Your estate is thriving, thanks to a well-chosen steward. And here you are in London at the most wonderful museum in the world.”

The earl looked out across the room, his features relaxing once more. “I could be lost here for days.”

His words tugged at her heart.

“Then you will need to become a regular visitor,” she told him. “This Greek and Roman section alone should have weeks devoted to it. For now, though, we should focus on Egyptian antiquities.”

He sighed. “Lead the way. Do not let me become distracted.”

“Eyes forward, my lord,” Tessa said, laughingly. As they began walking, she said, “I rather like being a commanding officer.”

“You would have made an excellent one,” he said.

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