Page 37 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“I will do so. Again, my thanks for holding this dinner party in my honor.”

“We are eager to help you get acquainted with others, Middlefield,” Uxbridge said.

Spencer heard a clock chime and decided he should leave.

“I want to thank Lady Adalyn for inviting me for tea this afternoon,” he began. “And I also wish to express my gratitude to Lady Tessa for introducing me to the treasures in the British Museum, as well. Overall, this has been the best day I have spent in London.”

He rose and the others followed suit.

“I will walk you out, Lord Middlefield,” Lady Adalyn said, surprising him.

He offered his arm to her and said goodbye to the others. Once they were in the hallway, she said, “Why was Tessa in such an awful mood, my lord? What could you possibly have done to make her so hostile in your company?”

He assessed the risks involved, knowing Lady Adalyn could be a powerful ally or even more powerful foe in his pursuit of Tessa—and decided to opt for honesty.

“I kissed her,” he admitted.

Lady Adalyn laughed. “You seized the opportunity. Well done, my lord. Tessa had never been kissed before. I would know because she would have told Louisa and me if she had. Poor little love, buried in the country all these years, dutifully nursing her parents. She has such a good heart.” She paused. “And if you break it, I will have to break you in two.”

Spencer had no doubt Lady Adalyn would do just that.

“May I inquire how the kiss was?”

He decided she wouldn’t do so if she weren’t on his side and said, “Most pleasurable on both our parts. Your cousin was upset afterward because it occurred in a public place and we might have been observed.”

“Oh, no one is at the museum this time of year. Attendance will actually pick up during the Season but I have been with Tessa three times now and only saw one other visitor.”

“She was right, though. If we had been spied, she would have had no choice but to wed me.”

They reached the foyer and Lady Adalyn stopped. “What of you, Lord Middlefield? What choice would you have made in that instance?”

“The honorable one, my lady. But I would never want Lady Tessa’s own choice to be removed from her. She is vibrant and animated. She deserves to decide her own future and not having that future decided for her.”

She eyed him intently. “That is very observant of you, my lord. And very generous. Yes, I think you will do.”

“I will do?”

Lady Adalyn grinned. “You will make a fine husband for Tessa. I thought so from the moment she mentioned meeting you. Now that I have done so—and we have spoken honestly—my mind is made up. I have a bit of a reputation, you know, of playing matchmaker for couples in theton.”

“I did not know that,” Spencer replied, thinking of the wagers regarding Adalyn Goulding in the betting book at White’s and wondering why she matched others but did not choose to make a match herself.

“Well, I do. I think you and Tessa will make for a marvelous couple. And just think about how beautiful your babies will be.”

He felt his face grow warm, thinking about how those babies would be made.

“I do like you, Middlefield. I can tell you now that my cousin is a most stubborn woman. She’s already decided not to like you—even if she did like your kiss. I will be subtle at first in helping her try to change her mind about you. You must do the same.”

He grimaced. “I am afraid I haven’t been very subtle.”

“Why? What did you say to her?” she demanded.

“I might have mentioned I was interested in her.”

She chuckled. “There is nothing wrong in that. She would have to assume you were because you did kiss her.”

“I also told her no other man would have a chance with her.”

“Oh, dear,” Lady Adalyn fretted. “That would certainly raise Tessa’s hackles. She is sweet-natured but she has never liked being told what to do. That was not well played, my lord.”

“I realize that now. I will do better in the future.”

“You must if you are to win her hand—and her heart. Tessa hasn’t told me she seeks a love match but I know her. It is what her heart will want.” She paused, gazing deeply into Spencer’s eyes. “Can you provide her with that, Lord Middlefield?”

He nodded. “Tessa has already claimed my heart.”

She brightened. “I will think on things, my lord. You do the same. Together, we will make certain that Tessa becomes your countess.”

Spencer left the townhouse and crossed to his own, his step light.

---