Page 79 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“Which one?” she asked.

Her cousin shook her head adamantly. “Not in front of his lordship. It is to remain a surprise. But I know he will admire you in it.”

Tessa glanced to Spencer. The look on his face told her he would admire in—or out of—any gown chosen and she blushed profusely.

Uncle Uxbridge asked, “When would you like us to announce your betrothal? Of course, we will place the announcement in the newspapers.”

“It might be nice to do so at tonight’s musicale,” Adalyn suggested. “It will be a smaller, more select group in attendance. They would feel privileged to hear of the first betrothal and wedding to occur this Season.” Then she told Tessa, “I will write up the wedding announcement for you and get it to the papers tomorrow. It will be printed in the following day’s editions. Is that agreeable?”

“Whatever you wish to do, Adalyn,” Tessa said. “I am fairly ignorant of how Polite Society manages these kinds of things.”

“Will you remain in London for the rest of the Season?” her cousin asked Spencer. “Or will you leave on your honeymoon instead?”

Spencer said, “I believe we should stay at least another month. I want to give Tessa the opportunity of attending several societal affairs. I also would like the chance to accompany her to the opera and perhaps a play or two. Then we can leave town.”

He looked to her. “Is that acceptable to you?”

“That would be lovely,” she told him. “It will give me enough of a taste of the Season and then we can escape London for Stoneridge.”

“No honeymoon?” he asked.

“Being at Stoneridge will be honeymoon enough,” she said emphatically even as her cheeks pinkened with thoughts of their wedding night.

Adalyn clapped her hands. “Oh! It is a love match,” she declared. “Who would have thought so?”

“I should leave and allow you to dress for this evening’s event,” Spencer said. He took her hands and lifted them, pressing a tender kiss upon her knuckles.

Tessa thought of him saying he would kiss her in many places and decided this was the start of that.

After Spencer left, Adalyn took Tessa’s hand. “Come. I want to show you which gown I believe you should wear on your wedding day. Next week!” she squealed.

The two cousins hurried up the stairs, Tessa’s heart as light as her feet.

In a week, she would become Spencer’s wife.

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