Page 40 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“That’s so many people. I don’t know how I will remember all their names,” Tessa said, worried.

“The ones to remember will be the bachelors,” Louisa said. “The guest of honor is one. I know of two others who will be in attendance.”

“I have no interest in Lord Middlefield,” she declared.

“Why not? I met him before I came to see you. He had beautiful manners and was quite handsome.”

“He is insufferable.”

Louisa frowned. “Tessa, what is going on? How do you know Lord Middlefield? You wouldn’t be saying such things if you didn’t already know him.”

“Remember how I told you I had hired a new lady’s maid?”

“Yes. Abra was her name, I believe.”

Tessa proceeded to tell her cousin about the entire encounter.

“Why, I think it brave and bold of his lordship,” Louisa proclaimed. “He came to your aid even though he had no idea who you were. And a knife?” She shuddered. Then smiled. “I think it a bit romantic that he played the dashing hero.”

“He is no hero to me. He is . . . that is . . . he . . .” Her voice trailed off.

“What did he do?” Louisa asked. “It wasn’t merely hitting Abra.”

“He kissed me! With his tongue!”

Louisa’s eyes widened. “Lord Middlefield kissed you? When? Where? Tell me everything.”

“It was in the British Museum. A public place, Louisa! Anyone could have come along and seen us together. Adalyn found out he hadn’t visited the place and talked him into accompanying us to a lecture last week.” Tessa sniffed. “Then she conveniently remembered she had another engagement, which I know for a fact she did not. I could not gracefully extricate myself from going with him. We were standing before the Rosetta Stone.”

“When he kissed you.”

“Yes.”

“And how was it?”

Immediately, heat filled Tessa at the thought of the earl’s mouth on hers. His tongue stroking hers. His strong fingers holding her.

“I don’t know. Good, I suppose. I have never been kissed. Did I mention he used his tongue?”

Louisa chuckled. “You did. And some kisses involve that.”

“Have you been kissed that way?” she demanded.

Her cousin nodded. “Twice.”

“Did you like it?”

“Once. It was quite pleasant. The other time left me feeling distasteful. But how did you feel about it?”

“I liked it. Probably more than I should have,” she admitted. “But he did it in a public place where discovery would have meant a scandal.”

“I went with you to the museum two weeks ago. No one was there, Tessa. It seems Lord Middlefield assessed the risks and decided it was worth a shot to kiss you. He must be interested in you to have done so.”

Her hackles rose. “Oh, he has told me of his interest. He said that no other man would have a chance with me with him around wooing me.”

Louisa laughed aloud. “I’d say the earl is quite bold, making such a declaration.”

“Well, I don’t like it. I don’t like him. I need a sedate man.”

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