Page 30 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“We should stay for the lecture. We both want to hear it. Come and finish telling me about the things that are here. I am sorry I ruined the outing for you.”

She swallowed. “Are you sorry for the kiss?”

“No.” He gave her a wry smile. “I am sorry for my behavior. For not asking if I could kiss you before I did so.” Pausing, he added, “But I will never be sorry for kissing you, Tessa.”

“Why did you?”

“Because I have wanted to ever since the morning we met,” he admitted. “You were magnificent, coming to Abra’s defense. Like Boudica boldly—”

“Boudica?”

He grinned. “Boudica. You would be a woman who would know who she is.”

Tessa felt her face flame. “I do. But I am no Boudica.”

“You are to me. And to Abra.” He cleared his throat. “Again, I am sorry for having kissed you in a public place. I would not see you ruined. You should be given the choice as to the man you will marry.

“But I will tell you now, my lady, that I plan to woo you.”

“Woo me?” she asked, breathless.

The earl smiled. “Yes. I am seeking a wife. You are seeking a husband. I think we should get to know one another better during the Season and see if we might suit.”

Tessa grew lightheaded hearing his words. This handsome man, a powerful earl, was declaring his interest in her. She blinked rapidly several times.

“I plan to pursue you with a passion, Tessa,” he added. “No other man will have a chance.”

His arrogant words brought her back to reality.

“You thought you could tell me what to do from the moment we met, my lord,” she told him, anger suddenly sizzling through her. “I will not be told what to do. I will not be pushed into a match by a high-handed lord. You aren’t even the kind of man I am interested in wedding.”

Lord Middlefield cocked his head and studied her a moment. “What, exactly, am I lacking? I would be interested to hear your opinion, Tessa.”

“Stop calling me that,” she demanded. “You are to address me as Lady Tessa. As for a husband, I am looking for someone who is steadfast and loyal. Patient. Kind. A man who will be a good father to our children.”

He took a step closer, invading her space, yet she refused to step back. Instead, she glared up at him.

“I am those things. If my friends were here, they would tell you so. And I may not have had the good, kind parents you did but I know I want children and will treat them the way I always wished to be treated.”

He brought his palm to her face, cradling her cheek. “You left out being a good husband, Tessa. You need a man who will be a good father and a good husband to you. One who will make you feel things you have never felt before. One who will introduce you to passion and pleasure.”

Her face burned. “That . . . isn’t necessary.”

His thumb stroked her cheek. “I hope to show you it is very necessary,” he said softly. “In the end, you will realize we are meant to be together.”

She grasped his wrist and forced his hand away. “You are much too conceited for my tastes, my lord. You presume far too much. I am not interested in your suit. Find some young simpering debutante who will be impressed by your looks and title.”

“Where there is anger, there is passion,” Lord Middlefield said. “I have much I can teach you, Tessa.”

“Someone should teach you some manners, my lord,” she said coldly.

He shrugged. “I have already told you my time at war has left me rough around the edges.”

The earl captured her wrist and placed it on his forearm. “Continue the tour. I promise to be a perfect gentleman. We will then attend the lecture and I will escort you to your uncle’s house.”

She seethed but felt she had no choice. With Abra nowhere to be seen, Tessa couldn’t leave the museum and hire a hackney cab to take her back to Uncle Uxbridge’s townhouse. She was stuck with the earl. Deciding he was right—for once—she wouldn’t let him spoil the lecture for her. She would allow him to go with her and then see her home.

And she would never speak to him again.

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