Page 95 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“The earl was supposed to complete payment to them for the death of Spencer,” Tessa said flatly. “In exchange for learning the circumstances, I told these men to leave London and never return. They are guilty of a crime but the bulk of the guilt lies at Lord Ellington’s doorstep.”

She looked at the group surrounding her and said, “Social ruin will be the first step. We will work on financial ruin after that. I must return to Spencer now.”

Tessa rose and Adalyn asked, “Will you attend tonight’s ball, Cousin?”

“No, I don’t want to leave Spencer’s side.”

Adalyn took Tessa’s hand and said, “I think you should be there to witness Lord Ellington’s social downfall.”

She replied, “Then I will come home and dress shortly before the ball is to begin and accompany you there.” She squeezed Adalyn’s hand. “Thank you for what you are doing.”

“I promise that Lord Ellington will be totally humiliated tonight when he arrives,” her cousin said.

Tessa left her uncle’s townhouse and crossed slowly back to Spencer’s residence. Hopefully, it would be their home one day. She hoped beyond hope that Spencer would recover from his severe injuries. Even if he didn’t and he wasn’t the man from before, Tessa knew she would remain by his side. Knowing Spencer was to have purchased a special license today, she wondered if that might be something one of her uncles could arrange for instead. She planned to wed Spencer as soon as possible.

Marsh admitted her and she returned to the sickroom, where Rigsby sat by his master’s side.

The valet told her, “I was able to get him to sip from the Saint John’s wort mixture Dr. Presley recommended. It is incredibly powerful and his lordship is to drink from it only once a day. Dr. Presley also sent a message that he will return mid-afternoon to check on his lordship.”

Tessa pulled up a chair to the bed and slipped her hand around Spencer’s.

“Very well,” she said and settled in for the vigil.

*

Tessa left Spencer’stownhouse in better spirits. Dr. Presley’s visit, coupled with Spencer being awake and alert for a few hours, had raised her spirits immeasurably. Spencer had apologized for not being able to purchase the special license and she had told him not to worry because it had been taken care of. That seemed to soothe him. He had then told Rigsby that the valet must go to Tattersalls at once.

The servant had looked at her and whispered Spencer might be delirious.

Spencer overheard it, which Tessa took as a good sign, and said, “No, I was to buy my bride a wedding present there.”

He explained about a chestnut mare he had wanted to give her and begged Rigsby to leave at once and arrange for its purchase and delivery.

Rigsby left at once for Tattersalls and Tessa kept her vigil at Spencer’s bedside until the servant returned. Finally, Spencer fell into a deep sleep and she explained briefly to Rigsby the beginning of Lord Ellington’s downfall, which would occur at tonight’s ball.

“Go, my lady,” the valet urged. “I will stay at his lordship’s side. You need to see this humiliation.”

Tessa returned to Uncle Uxbridge’s townhouse and found Abra anxiously waiting. The moment Tessa entered her bedchamber, Abra threw her arms about her mistress.

“Oh, my lady, I am so sorry. Lord Middlefield is the best of men.”

“I must look my very best tonight, Abra,” she told the servant.

As Abra prepared Tessa for the evening, she briefly explained what was in store for Lord Ellington.

“I don’t think it’s near enough, my lady,” Abra declared. “It’s unfair. Totally unfair that a peer doesn’t suffer any consequences for wrongdoing.” A gleam entered her eyes. “Perhaps Lord Ellington might meet up with an unexpected footpad.”

Tessa shook her head violently. “No, Abra. You are not to attack the earl in any way. If you were caught, you would be the one swinging from a gibbet. I can’t have that.”

She left her bedchamber and descended the stairs, where she found her aunt and uncle waiting for her.

“Where is Adalyn?” she asked.

“She has gone ahead,” Uncle Uxbridge told her. “We will meet up with her there.”

Tessa was silent as the carriage took her to Lord and Lady Blasingames’ townhouse. Nerves filled her at what was to come. She wondered if Adalyn, Louisa, and her uncles had been able to pull off the miracle she needed tonight.

Just before they disembarked from the carriage, Tessa asked, “Is there any way you or Uncle Edgar could arrange for the purchase of a special license so that Spencer and I might wed as soon as possible?”

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