Page 62 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

Chapter Seventeen

Excitement filled Tessa.

Tonight was the opening ball of the Season. She was now dressed for the event which would take place at Lord and Lady Healey’s townhouse several blocks away from her uncle’s.

She wore one of her favorite new ball gowns, an elegant, sophisticated silhouette in a pale shade of blue, so pale it was the color of ice. The color served to bring out the intense blue of her eyes. Abra had dressed Tessa’s hair high on her head, allowing wisps of curls to frame the sides of her face. Fortunately, she had a pearl necklace which would draw attention away from the low scoop of the gown’s neckline. The piece had been a gift from her parents on her eighteenth birthday in anticipation of her come-out, which was to have occurred several months later.

The come-out would finally take place tonight and eagerness caused her belly to flutter in anticipation. She glanced into the mirror and wished she could tug the neckline of the gown up a bit. It revealed the top curve of her breasts, something she was not used to showing off. Adalyn had laughed off Tessa’s complaints at Madame Chevalier’s shop. Even Madame herself told Tessa that she had a lovely figure and her beautiful breasts were meant to be seen and admired.

“You want a husband,n’est-ce pas, Lady Tessa?” the modiste had asked. “If so, you must display your assets. You are a clever young woman but men will not want to hear talk. They will want to see. At least at first. When you find several you like and who are attracted to you physically, then you may talk with them and find the one who will capture your heart.”

Madame’s advice made sense. Tessa just didn’t want any man to think of her only in a physical manner. Adalyn had told her a good majority of the bachelors on hand tonight wouldn’t bother to make much conversation with her at all. They would attend the event to see who was now available on the Marriage Mart and if any of these ladies interested them. Physical beauty was the first thing those men would consider, according to Adalyn, though some might first focus on the size of her dowry and then her looks. Only if both interested a gentlemen would he then make an effort to get to know her.

Tessa had thought that appalling. Of course, she realized Adalyn looked at the entire process with a bit of cynicism. Years ago, she had been as idealistic as Tessa. She would need to temper her expectations, especially since she was making her come-out at a much older age than the others tonight. She wondered if she truly would find a husband this Season or if she would be like Adalyn and Louisa and return again and again without finding her soul mate.

She had finally gotten out of Adalyn that she was looking for love. Her cousin admitted that she had immensely enjoyed each of the past several Seasons but knew it was time to grow more serious, hinting this might be the Season she would finally choose a husband. As far as Louisa went, she had recently shared with Tessa that her father didn’t really wish for her to wed. That she was too valuable as his hostess. He had encouraged Louisa to wait until the war with Bonaparte had ended before she became serious about finding a husband.

Tessa thought that ridiculous, especially since the war with France had dragged on for so many years already. If Louisa waited, she might find herself unwed another twenty years from now. While Louisa wasn’t as outspoken as Adalyn, Tessa hoped Louisa would finally stand up to her father and choose to follow her heart.

A knock sounded at the door and Tessa bid her cousin to enter, knowing it would be Adalyn coming to see if Tessa had finished getting ready.

Adalyn’s smile told Tessa everything that she needed to know. “You look lovely,” her cousin praised. “I don’t believe I have ever seen a more beautiful girl making her come-out.”

“Well, I am not exactly a girl anymore, am I?” Tessa said lightly. “At eighteen, I would have been that girl. Five years have passed, though, Adalyn. Much has happened which changed me. I am not that young, idealistic woman. But I do believe it is for the best. I would not have wanted to wed and then been unable to tend to Mama and Papa during their long illnesses. My allegiance, naturally, would have been with my new husband. This way, I am getting the best of both worlds. I was a dutiful daughter who cared for my parents as their health declined and I was with them to their final days. That time will always be precious to me.

“However, I believe I am stronger for the experience. I don’t have stars in my eyes. I believe I will be able to search for a husband using my newfound maturity. I think girls at eighteen making their debut into Polite Society focus on how handsome their suitors are, while their families look to the man’s wealth, title, and social connections. I, at my advanced age, am interested in none of those things. I want a companion who shares common interests with me. Despite what you have told me about theton’s practices, I want a husband whose pledge of fidelity will last throughout our entire marriage. And I want a man who is not only eager to have children but will love them unconditionally.”

She ignored the thoughts of Lord Middlefield telling her how he would adore his children.

And how he would love his wife with passion.

“You say nothing of love for yourself, Tessa,” Adalyn pointed out.

“I know you have admitted to me you are looking for love, Adalyn, but I don’t really need it. Mama and Papa did not have it and their marriage was a good one. They had a mutual respect for one another. That is all I ask.”

“I hope you will find everything you are looking for, Tessa—and even more. You deserve the best of everything.”

“And you don’t?” she asked.

“I have shared with you how much I have enjoyed not being tied down to a man. So many females my age have two—even three—children by now. I will admit I have been selfish and taken this time as mine. I have gotten to do everything I wanted and met a great many men over these last several Seasons. You also know that I am looking for love.” She paused. “I suppose I am afraid I will not find it.”

Adalyn’s air of sadness hurt Tessa. She wanted everything good for her cousin and though she had thought Louisa might suit with a certain earl, she believed Adalyn would be an even better match—so she asked, “What of Lord Middlefield?”

Adalyn looked at her in surprise. “What of Lord Middlefield?”

“I think you and he might suit,” Tessa suggested, wanting to plant that seed within Adalyn as the Season began.

Adalyn shook her head. “No. Middlefield has made his feelings clear. It is you—or no one.”

Tessa bit her lip. “I don’t like hearing that,” she said. “While I am not as adverse to Lord Middlefield as I once was, I don’t believe he is the man for me. I still believe him too cocky for his own good.”

Adalyn gazed at her steadily. “I believe Lord Middlefield has deep feelings for you, Tessa. You need to give him a chance.”

Her cousin moved to the mirror and glimpsed at herself and back to Tessa. “Shall we go downstairs?” she asked. “Papa expects me to be late but he knows you are always on time.”

Tessa chuckled. “It is in my nature. Papa stressed to me that others’ time was important and I should never infringe upon it.”

They left her bedchamber, arm in arm, and headed to the staircase. As they descended and drew near the foyer, she heard voices.

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