“They will behave in the same manner,” Lady Macbeth interrupted. “The lot of them. They will always second-guess me and want her opinion. That is why she needs to be gone.”
“I would happy to move to the dower house,” Tessa offered.
“That isn’t far enough,” the countess said, her voice rising. “I want you gone. Spend that thousand pounds you wheedled from your father. You can rent something somewhere. Just make certain that is far from here.” She placed her hand on her belly. “I will need peace and quiet—and totally loyalty from the servants—especially since I am now with child.”
Tessa hadn’t known about the baby but it didn’t change matters. She only felt sorrow that the child would have such a viper as its mother. She saw her uncles exchange a glance and Uncle Uxbridge said, “That won’t be necessary. Tessa can come live with us.” He looked to her. “You might prefer to remain in the country when we head to town for the Season. I will leave it up to you.”
Knowing from letters exchanged with Adalyn and Louisa, her friends would attend a whirlwind of events from April through August. If Tessa came to London, her cousins might neglect the invitations they received in order to stay home with her.
“Your suggestion that I remain in the country pleases me, Uncle,” she said. “I would prefer to do my mourning in private.”
“Then we will leave Oakley tomorrow morning,” Uncle Uxbridge said. “You will come with us, Tessa.”
“And know at any time you are always welcomed to stay with us,” Uncle Edgar volunteered. “Though we stay year-round in London, due to my position at the War Office.”
“I understand and I am grateful for your offer,” she said, her eyes misting.
“Well, it is good that matter has been settled so amicably,” Lord Paxton proclaimed. He rose and the others followed suit. “I shall see everyone in the drawing room at seven. We will have drinks and then go into dinner.”
As the group moved toward the doors, Lady Macbeth said, “I would like a private word with Lady Tessa.”
Louisa looked at Tessa. “Is that what you want? I will stay if you ask.”
“Thank you. I can handle her. Go on.”
The others left. Tessa remained standing in the same place, making Lady Macbeth come to her. She saw that displeased the young woman but she didn’t care.
“You are never to come to Oakley again,” Lady Macbeth began. “You will neither be invited nor welcomed if you turn up. Paxton and I wish to have nothing to do with you. Do not call on us in town, either. We will not be at home to you. If you see us at a ball or some other event, you may greet us politely but do not expect any prolonged conversation on our part.”
“You certainly are full of yourself, Lady Macbeth,” Tessa said. “Actually, your terms please me. I also prefer to have nothing to do with the both of you.”
The girl’s eyes narrowed. “What did you call me?”
“Oh, you mean Lady Macbeth? That is a famous character from a Shakespeare play. You remind me of her.”
She bit back a smile, knowing the new countess had never read anything by Shakespeare and would have no clue what an insult the moniker truly was.
Lady Macbeth pursed her lips. “No matter. I am Lady Paxton now and you are to address me as such the few times our paths do cross.”
“Of course, my lady,” she said and turned away, leaving the library.
Tessa knew when she left tomorrow she would never return to Oakley. That the door to the first chapter of her life would close—and a new one would open.
She was eager to see what her future would hold.