Page 2 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“I love you, Papa. I always will.”

Lowering them, she sat beside him for a few minutes, savoring the last moments she would have with him. Then acknowledging what must come next, she rose and went to her desk, writing two brief notes to the vicar and the doctor, informing them of Lord Paxton’s death. Those were followed by two letters addressed to the Earl of Uxbridge, Adalyn’s father, and Sir Edgar Goulding, Louisa’s father. Both men were her mother’s brothers. She informed them of her father’s death and asked them to come to the funeral in three days’ time.

Tessa sealed the notes and letters and left the bedchamber, not glancing at her father. She knew the body that lay in the bed was no longer the man she had known and loved. His soul had risen and gone to Heaven. She wouldn’t torture herself further.

In her father’s sitting room, next to the bedchamber, she rang for both the butler and valet. Both men arrived at the same time and she told the servants of the earl’s passing.

“I trust the two of you to prepare Papa,” she said. “I have written my uncles, as well as the vicar and Dr. Smith, and will send footmen to deliver those now.” She paused, taking a cleansing breath. “I will also go and tell the new Lord Paxton what has occurred.”

“I’m ever so sorry, my lady,” the valet said. “The earl was such a good man and a good father to you.”

“I can go with you while you speak to the earl and countess,” their butler ventured. “You might need . . . support.”

Tessa knew what he meant. “Thank you, but no. I’d rather you stay and make Papa presentable. He always loved gray. Perhaps that light gray waistcoat and the darker tailcoat would do.”

Her father had lost a considerable amount weight since the apoplexy attack and she knew the clothes she mentioned would swallow him. She would leave it up to these two trusted servants to see that Lord Paxton looked the best he could.

Leaving the room, she made her way downstairs and found a footman. She instructed him regarding the notes and letters and he told her he would take care of it at once. Then she steeled herself and went up a flight of stairs to the drawing room, where she knew her uncle and his wife would be. Entering, she saw them sitting before the fire and crossed the room to them.

“Ah, Tessa,” her uncle said. “You look tired, my dear.”

“She always looks tired,” Lady Macbeth said. “You really should take better care of yourself. Get out some. See people.”

“Papa has passed,” she said brusquely.

Her uncle rose and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I am sorry to hear that. He was a good brother to me.”

She wanted to ask if he was such a good brother, why hadn’t her uncle gone to see him more? He had arrived at Oakley and entered the sickroom that first day—and never again. Her uncle went about the business of the estate and in London and never bothered sitting by his brother’s side, trying to comfort him.

“He was the best of men. A wonderful husband and father and the best Earl of Paxton,” she declared.

“Well, he isn’t the earl any longer, is he?” Lady Macbeth said, rising. “A new Earl and Countess of Paxton are now in charge.”

“You will plan Papa’s funeral?” she asked quickly, panicked by that thought.

“No, my dear,” her uncle assured her. “You know what he would have wanted.”

“I will plan the reception after the funeral,” Lady Macbeth proclaimed. “There will be all manner of people in attendance. I will get with Cook now and make certain it will be a memorable event!”

Lady Macbeth exited the drawing room and her uncle shook his head. “She is young,” he told Tessa, as if that should excuse her outrageous behavior.

“She is old enough to know to offer me her sympathies,” Tessa said bitterly. “Certainly old enough not to rub it in my face that there is a new earl and countess.”

He shrugged. “She is eager to put her stamp on this household. It has been hard for her, being in limbo with these . . . circumstances.”

Tessa wanted to argue that Lady Macbeth already ran the household the way she saw fit because Tessa had spent all her waking hours with her father. That nothing would ever excuse the girl’s rudeness. She was too tired to argue, however.

“The vicar will be arriving soon. I sent word to him and Dr. Smith. I will work with him on the service. I will let you notify Papa’s solicitor and any others you might wish to attend the funeral.”

Wearily, Tessa left the drawing room, knowing the days ahead would be long ones.

*

Tessa wearily saidgoodbye to the last of the guests who had returned to Oakley after the funeral. Instead of being comforted by those in attendance, she had been the one to do the comforting. Her father had been much beloved by his tenants and the people who lived in the surrounding area. At least Papa was finally at peace.

She was grateful that her two uncles had brought her cousins with them. Usually, women did not attend funerals but Tessa had insisted upon seeing her father laid to rest. It was good to have Louisa and Adalyn with her when that occurred. She wondered how long her relatives would stay—or rather, how long Lady Macbeth would allow them to remain.

Their butler came toward her. “My lady, you are requested to join the others in the library for the reading of the will.”

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