Rescued By The Earl's Vows

‘Theresa,’ Mr Stedman muttered. ‘Lady Theresa.’ He glared at Sandford.

Tess took a sip of tea to hide her smile of triumph, poor victory though it might have been.

A bored expression passed across Sandford’s face. He bowed. ‘If you will excuse me, my lady, I see an acquaintance.’ He wandered off and the next moment was deeply engrossed in conversation with Lord Canning, a known supporter of Catholic emancipation.

Tess swallowed a laugh at the look of fury on Mr Stedman’s face. Oh dear, she really was beginning to dislike him very much indeed. How very awkward.

‘You may smile, Lady Theresa,’ he said stiffly, ‘but one expects a man in his position to set an example, not go about inciting unrest. Next thing he’ll be supporting the idea that women should have a say in Parliament. I would have thought better of a friend of the King’s. And as for you supporting such reactionary views, well, I am shocked. Mother would be most dismayed.’

She opened her mouth to issue a set-down, then closed it again, with the greatest difficulty. One could hardly cause a scene, like refusing a proposal as yet to be made, in such a public place, but, oh, she hoped Sandford had good news. A feeling of dread in her stomach promised something else.

A servant near the door rang a bell.

‘Time to return to our seats,’ she said.

‘Yes, indeed. Come along, Lady Theresa. We don’t want to lose our places.’

She wanted to lose him with all her heart.

As they moved towards the music room, she glimpsed Sandford paying close attention to the words of a most elegant female. Tall and willowy and blonde, she was exactly the sort of woman men preferred. Her heart seemed to dip and that was ridiculous. She was disappointed that they hadn’t had a chance to talk, that was all.

The only reason to even notice Sandford existed, she told herself, was that she needed to find Grey.

The evils of her situation suddenly felt unbearable. With her father’s death her life had turned upside down and her expectations had changed dramatically. If only things could go back to the way they were before that day, life would once again be perfect.

A childish wish for things that could never be. She had to find her own solutions now.

She glanced at Stedman and repressed a little shudder.

* * *

While he listened to Lady Caroline with half an ear, Jaimie watched Lady Tess walk out of the drawing room on Stedman’s arm. Why on earth would a woman as lively and intelligent as she put up with such an idiot? The way the man put a hand in the small of her back as he ushered her out of the room exhibited a possessiveness Jaimie found distasteful in the extreme. Devil take it. Lady Tess was none of his business. And once he delivered his news, his obligation was at an end.