Page 72 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

Tessa led her to the settee and they both took a seat. Louisa swallowed hard and then cleared her throat.

“First of all, I will tell you that I have kissed Lord Boxling.”

Tessa’s eyes widened in surprise. “Is that so? How was it?”

“I liked it. I like him. I know you and Adalyn have emphasized the importance of kissing and so I thought to do the same with Lord Hurley Being alone in the gardens seemed a perfect opportunity to do so.”

Tessa frowned. “You did not enjoy his kiss?”

Louisa shrugged. “It was... oh, I was indifferent. That is the truth. Lord Hurley, however, pressed on when I asked him to stop.”

Anger flared in her cousin’s beautiful blue eyes. “He kissed you after you asked him not to?”

“Yes, he did. It made me very uncomfortable, Tessa. I pushed him away and yet he still insisted.”

“I will have his head on a platter,” Tessa declared. “I cannot think of a more ungentlemanly thing to do, ignoring a lady’s request in such a situation.”

“Then you don’t think I was overreacting?”

Tessa’s eyes hardened for a moment. “Not in the least, Louisa. If Lord Hurley had any genuine affection for you, he would have stopped the moment you asked him to.” She paused. “What happened? Did he hurt you?”

Louisa smiled bleakly. “Actually, I hurt him.”

Tessa’s jaw dropped. “You didn’t. You kneed him, didn’t you?” Her cousin grinned. “Good for you.”

“I didn’t know if he would stop with the unwanted kisses. I was afraid he would take it even further. I decided it was my only option.”

“Well, I hope he suffered. I hope he is sore for days to come.”

“I told him just what I thought of him, trying to take liberties with me. I also told him I wanted nothing more to do with him during this house party. That leaves me with a dilemma, however. I do not want to ruin Adalyn’s party. I know she is giving it for me. Yet, I feel as if I should leave.”

“You will not!” Tessa proclaimed. “If anything, it is Lord Hurley who should leave. There is no point to you being gone, especially if you think there is a chance things might progress with Lord Boxling. Also, it would be unwise to have Lord Hurley remain and be a danger to the other females present.”

“Then what should I do?” Louisa asked. “If I tell Adalyn what happened, I fear she will physically attack Lord Hurley.”

“Leave it to me,” Tessa said, taking Louisa’s hand and squeezing it reassuringly.

“You aren’t going to tell Spencer, are you? Or Everett?”

Or Owen?

As protective as Owen had become of her, Louisa feared what he might do to Lord Hurley.

“I promise not to tell Spencer or Everett,” Tessa said. “I do believe that Lord Hurley needs to go, however. Do you trust me?”

“Implicitly,” Louisa said.

“Good. Then let me handle this my way.” Tessa gave her a hug. “Thank you for sharing this with me, Louisa. I am glad you felt comfortable coming to me. We should go to the drawing room now where the others will assemble. Stay by my side and you will be safe.”

They departed the sitting room and went to the drawing room, where Louisa quickly scanned, looking for Lord Hurley. He was not among those who had already gathered but only about half of their number were present.

She accepted a glass of sherry from a footman and sipped on it, hoping it might calm her nerves.

Owen entered the drawing room and surveyed it himself. When their gazes met, he gave her a brief nod and then went and joined Lord Marksbury, Miss Rexford, and Miss Peterson.

Eventually, everyone arrived—except Lord Hurley. Louisa felt her belly twist with anxiety.

Arthur appeared and spoke to Everett a moment. Everett turned to the group and said, “Dinner is now served. Before we go in, however, I will share with you that Lord Hurley has been called away from our gathering. Pressing business at his estate took him from us.”

---