Rescued By The Earl's Vows

‘I should be more careful with my thoughts, should I not?’ Particularly around him. He noticed too much.

He frowned. ‘Is there something you are not telling me? Something with which I can help?’

Hope lifted her heart. No. What was she thinking? He would never understand a woman desiring to make her own life choices rather than be dependent on a man, be that a husband or a cousin. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to think clearly. She gave him a tight smile. ‘I think it would be unwise to accept any offer of assistance from you, Lord Sandford. Who knows what sort of price you would set?’

The tiger gave a little snigger.

‘Round two also to you, Lady Tess.’

He pulled up at her cousin’s front door. ‘It has been a pleasure.’

‘When will I hear from you?’

‘When I have something to report.’

She wanted to press him, but did not dare in case he changed his mind. Men were such obstinate, fickle creatures.

He jumped down and escorted her to the door where he bowed over her hand. ‘I will let you know when I have news.’

The butler opened the door to his knock.

Sandford touched his hat. ‘Good day, Lady Tess. Thank you for a pleasant afternoon.’ He sauntered back to his carriage.

Blasted man. He really was the most annoying individual she had ever met. He thought he could get away with anything just because he was rich and handsome.

So very handsome. If any man could be described as an Adonis, it was he. And he drove to an inch, handling the ribbons with expert ease. It had been impossible not to notice all the ladies casting admiring glances his way.

Pah. What did that have to do with anything?

Chapter Three (#u3d0c7096-aabe-5bbe-95e2-3d854006fb50)

Two days had passed since Tess had given Lord Sandford the information about Freeps and there was still no word. All morning she had been sitting in the drawing room with her needlework in hand, listening for the arrival of the mail.

And when it came, she had received nothing.

She was being foolish. Too anxious. A single gentleman did not write notes to a single lady who was not a relative or an intended. She certainly had no wish to set alarm bells ringing in Wilhelmina’s feather brain. If they thought Lord Sandford was trifling with her, they’d have her sent north in the blink of an eye. Or they would if Mr Stedman wasn’t still showing a marked interest in her.

Wilhelmina drifted in wearing her Phineas-has-issued-an-edict face. Edicts had been issued more and more frequently of late. Tess tensed.

‘Good morning, Theresa,’ Wilhelmina said with a vague smile. ‘I missed you at breakfast and couldn’t find you anywhere afterwards.’

Worse and worse. Tess let her needlework fall into her lap and forced a cheerful smile. ‘I went for my usual early morning walk.’ The walk her cousin did not approve of.

Wilhelmina’s glance sharpened. ‘With your maid, I assume.’

Poor old Mims was far too old to be trotting along at the pace Tess preferred. ‘I took one of the footmen.’

‘Carver gave his approval?’

Tess gritted her teeth. ‘He did.’

A vaguely disgruntled expression flitted across her cousin’s face. ‘That is good then. He always complains to me when his schedule for the day is altered without his knowledge.’

That wasn’t it at all. Wilhelmina loved her role of Countess and she loved catching Tess out in one mistake or another. Tess had quickly learned how to avoid her traps. Not that Wilhelmina realised Tess was on to her. She was far too self-absorbed.

Her cousin took the chaise longue and reclined along its length. ‘Ring for tea, there’s a dear.’

She could have rung for tea before she sat down, but it amused her to treat Tess like a servant. Tess put her embroidery aside and got up to tug on the bell pull beside the hearth.

‘How is your work coming along?’ Wilhelmina asked the moment she sat down.

‘Very well. I have it half done.’ She was embroidering a cushion cover for her trousseau at Wilhelmina’s suggestion.

‘May I see?’

Wilhelmina accounted herself an expert needlewoman, though she rarely set a stitch herself. Tess thought it might be because she was becoming short-sighted and didn’t want to wear spectacles.

She took the piece over. Her cousin sat up and made a space for her on the chaise.

Oh, yes, she definitely had some instruction to impart from dearest Phin. Tess sank down beside her. ‘I only have one bird left to finish.’

Wilhelmina held the fabric up to the light. ‘I think you need a couple more French knots here. See, there’s a space. What do you think?’

Dash it, the woman was right. The French knots had taken her for ever to complete and had made her fingers sore. She had known a few more were needed, but didn’t think anyone would notice. ‘Thank you for pointing it out, Cousin. I’ll be sure to fill in the gaps.’

With a self-satisfied smile, Wilhelmina handed the work back. ‘I did tell you we are attending the Halliwells’ ball on Friday, did I not?’

‘You did, indeed.’

‘Which gown will you wear?’

Tess mentally ran through her meagre wardrobe. She had already decided which gown to wear, but if she named it, Wilhelmina was sure to prefer a different one. ‘The pale green, I think. I like something with a bit of colour.’

True to form, Wilhelmina frowned. ‘Not for the Halliwells. All the younger ladies will be wearing white.’

‘Hmm. There is the white-and-silver tissue, I suppose.’

‘You have worn that one at least four times. People will start to talk. No. Wear the one with the roses festooned at the hem and neckline.’

Tess bowed her head in compliance and to hide her smile. It was the dress she had planned to wear all along.

How much nicer this would have all been if she could have been friends with her cousin’s wife. They could have enjoyed this Season together as. Instead it was a battle of wits and Wilhelmina had so few of them it was becoming quite boring.

‘Why not wear your mother’s diamonds? They will look perfect with that gown. Phineas reminded me only this morning that you have never worn them.’

The breath rushed from her lungs. She swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘I...umm... I am not sure where her bracelet is.’ She winced at how feeble she sounded. ‘I put it away somewhere. The clasp was broken.’

‘You don’t know where you put a diamond bracelet? Well, I must say, that is careless in the extreme. Have that maid of yours look for it and we will send it to Rundell & Bridge for repair.’