Chapter Eleven
Meeting Sandford’s cousin, Hawkhurst, was like being inspected under a microscope. The man’s piercing blue eyes seemed to miss nothing. And everything about him was intense and watchful. Tess had the feeling that if she so much as whispered a word against Sandford, Hawkhurst would tear her to shreds without blinking an eye. Why he would be quite so protective of his adult cousin she could not imagine.
Alice, on the other hand, was a sweetheart. Tiny and sweet and kind.
The gentlemen seated the ladies at one of the tables in Gunter’s. They perused the menu. Alice leaned closer to Tess and lowered her voice. ‘I cannot remember the last time Sandford escorted a lady out in public.’ She made a little gesture with her head and Tess became aware that a great many people in the crowded restaurant were observing them with avid interest.
Oh, dear. Did the poor woman still have the wrong idea about her and Jaimie? ‘I thought he told you. I am a client,’ she whispered.
Jaimie raised his gaze from his menu and Lady Hawkhurst fluttered hers in front of her face like a fan. ‘My word, it is hot in here, Jaimie, can you not open that window and let in a little breeze?’
The look Jaimie sent her was one of disapproval, but he got up and did as she bid.
Again, Lady Hawkhurst leaned close. ‘He has had many clients who are women. Not once has he introduced them to his family.’
Tess felt heat rise in her cheeks, but tried to look calm. ‘It was the only way we could think of not to give rise to gossip.’
Lady Hawkhurst smiled sweetly, but there was a knowing glint in her eye. But there was no more to be said since Jaimie returned to his seat.
Sandford and Hawkhurst entered into a discussion about the wording of a bill before Parliament. Lady Hawkhurst watched them with a fond eye for a moment. ‘You know, I would not like to see Sandford hurt. He has a soft heart and his first marriage was a disaster.’
Tess’s jaw dropped. ‘He was married before?’
‘His first wife died under tragic circumstances, driving Jaimie’s carriage. I don’t think he has ever forgiven himself for what happened.’
‘Oh, I am sorry to hear that.’
Lady Hawkhurst’s mouth tightened. ‘They were not married long, but after her death, I feared he might never set foot in matrimonial waters again.’
Tess swallowed. ‘Please, do not think for a moment that Jaimie and I—’
‘Oh, I know. You are engaged in a matter of business. But it would be so wonderful if he could find someone with whom to share his life. He does seem to like you.’
Tess flushed. ‘And I like him.’ A little too much for comfort. Every time she remembered what they had done in the library, she wanted to do it again. Which was terrible of her. Thoroughly wanton.
‘Poor man. He really has not had an easy life. What with the fire and then his wife’s death, it is no wonder he is cautious.’
Tess cast her eyes down. ‘Yes, he told me about the fire.’
‘Both Michael and Jaimie lost their families. Jaimie has always blamed himself for that, too.’
‘Why?’
Alice glanced over at the two men, but they were deeply engrossed in their conversation. ‘He dropped the candle that started the fire off. He was so scared he ran and hid and didn’t tell anyone about it until it was too late.’
Tess shuddered, trying to imagine what it would be like to have a tragedy like that on her conscience. ‘Poor Jaimie.’
‘Of course, he never talks about it. He was very young at the time, only six, I believe. No one blamed him, least of all Michael, but I know it troubles Jaimie still. To lose nearly all his family in one fell swoop must have been awful.’
It had been awful losing her parents one at a time and in neither case was Tess to blame. ‘He didn’t elaborate on the details.’ They really hadn’t spoken very much at all about things of so personal a nature, but she could imagine how he must still feel.
She felt terrible about losing contact with Grey and he was still alive—or at least so she hoped. She should certainly have never involved Jaimie in her troubles to the point that people were expecting him to make her an offer of marriage. It was the last thing she wanted. Wasn’t it?
Of course it was. The man was impossibly arrogant. He expected women to follow his instructions as if they were mindless beasts. The fact that making love to him had been delicious and lovely was neither here nor there. It was only a very small part of married life, after all.
It would be best if she put an end to it before things got completely out of hand. If they hadn’t already, given what had happened in the library.
Tess decided, sadly, that she would have to give up searching for Grey. If he had wanted her to find him, she would have by now. She’d simply have to tell Phin she had managed to lose the bracelet between the jeweller’s and home, and that would be an end to it.
Then she would have to find some other way to avoid marriage with Stedman. Perhaps a visit to Yorkshire was best after all. It would be a very long visit. Likely permanent.
Misery stole into her heart. A sadness she did not understand. Or perhaps she did, but there was no one in her life she could trust enough to share her worry.
‘Is something wrong?’ Jaimie’s deep voice murmured in her ear.
She started. Then blushed. Dash it, now she looked guilty. ‘No. I beg your pardon. I was off gathering sheep’s wool.’
‘A penny for your thoughts, then.’
‘They are hardly worth that.’ She smiled vaguely. ‘Have you and Lord Hawkhurst finished solving the political problems of the day?’
Hawkhurst’s piercing blue stare cut her way. ‘We have indeed. And you?’
She froze, staring into those eyes that seemed to see her very thoughts. ‘Me?’
‘And my wife,’ he said drily. ‘You looked as if you were sorting out a matter for the ages.’
‘Enough, Michael,’ his wife said placidly. ‘We were merely discussing the odd traits of men and how much they needed our guidance.’
He laughed, the hardness going out of his face and a dimple appearing in his cheek. ‘I shall look forward to your words of wisdom, my dear.’
His wife flashed him a saucy smile. ‘I will hold you to that.’
At that moment, to Tess’s relief, the ices arrived. And the melee of getting the right dish in front of the right person turned the conversation in another direction.
‘Sandford says you will be returning home in a few days,’ Tess said to Alice.
‘Yes. We really must get home to the children. I am missing them terribly.’
Her husband glowered. ‘We could have been gone a week ago had you not insisted on having a completely new wardrobe.’
Alice laughed. ‘You know very well it was you who did the insisting. And glad I am that I did, or I would not have made Lady Tess’s acquaintance.’ She cast Jaimie an arch glance that seemed a bit too knowing.
Tess glanced at Jaimie, expecting him to refute the teasing innuendo, but he merely smiled that rare smile of his that made him look good enough to eat—far more tasty even than the strawberry ice in her dish. ‘More likely you want to see me firmly leg-shackled so you can cease worrying about your wayward cousin,’ he said.
Michael grinned. ‘How did you guess?’
‘Michael!’ his wife scolded with a laugh.
‘You of all people should know better,’ Jaimie said, but he was looking at Tess, his gaze warm. Her heart gave an odd little kick.
Afraid of what she might give away, she lowered her gaze to her dish and moved the strawberry ice around with her spoon.
‘Is your ice not to your taste?’ Jaimie asked.
She smiled. ‘No, indeed. It is quite delicious.’ She proved it by eating a spoonful.
He took a taste of his own lemon ice.
&n
bsp; ‘How are your investigations into these robberies coming along,’ Hawkhurst asked. ‘Made any progress?’
‘Not at much as I should have,’ Jaimie said.
No doubt because she had taken him away from his investigations. He would be glad to hear she had decided to give up her search. It was the right thing to do. She could not have people expecting him to make her an offer. It would be just too embarrassing when they parted.
Jaimie gave her a brief smile, but his eyes held puzzlement. Had he sensed her change of mood? ‘If you have finished, Lady Tess, I believe your cousin mentioned something about an appointment with a modiste this afternoon.’ He smiled around the table. ‘You ladies and your clothing. I don’t know how you find time for anything else.’
Tess rose and everyone stood. ‘Thank you for keeping track of the time, Sandford. It was a pleasure to meet you again, Alice, Lord Hawkhurst.’ She dipped a curtsy.
‘I do hope we will see you again,’ Alice said. She smiled fondly at Jaimie. ‘Spend a week with us later in the summer, I am sure Hawkhurst would be delighted to have some company. Particularly since the rivers are stocked and the fishing is excellent.’
‘My work keeps me busy,’ Jaimie said stiffly.
‘Your work is important,’ Hawkhurst said. ‘But all work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy, remember. I would very much like to see you at Hawkhurst, if you can stand to come to us.’
‘Fields and acres and cows. No, thank you.’ Jaimie shook hands with his cousin.
Hawkhurst gave him a hearty slap on the back. ‘Wait until you wed. Cows and fields will hold great charm then.’
Somehow Tess could not imagine the sophisticated, elegant Lord Sandford being at home in the country. Much as she loved it herself, she was resigned to living in London with her husband. Whoever that might be, she added to herself with a start.
* * *
The woman who sat at Jaimie’s side in the carriage clutching the bouquet he had bought for her earlier was not the bold piece who had first come to his office in a veil. Something was wrong. Was she regretting their lovemaking on the map table? It was too late for regrets.
He had to allow her to be convinced they should marry. To do anything else would be dishonourable. For a very brief moment, he wished she had not come to his office.
And then he was glad that she had.
What the devil was wrong with him? His thoughts were wandering, his wits scattered and he badly wanted to kiss the lady sitting beside him.
He pulled up outside her cousin’s house and helped her down.
‘Would you like to come in?’ she asked.
He definitely wanted in, but not to her cousin’s house. ‘I’m afraid I have a meeting this afternoon.’
She nodded. ‘Then I will see you later.’
‘Yes. I hope to have more news of Mrs Plunkett and her nefarious doings very soon.’ Along with the man responsible for the thefts. If they were careful.
He saw her into the house and returned to climb up into his carriage. Now to apprehend the man who was almost certainly responsible for the burglaries that had the King writing to him every day.
And in the meantime, he was going to woo Tess until she had no alternative but to agree to their marriage.
* * *
‘More flowers? Where on earth are we to put them?’ Wilhelmina sounded thoroughly peevish. ‘Perhaps you would drop a hint in Sandford’s ear that I am running out of vases.’
Jealousy made people cruel, but really—what was Sandford up to? They should be drifting apart. Getting Rowan used to the idea that the marriage would not go ahead, not giving him hope... Or her.
Tess smiled at the butler. ‘Put them in the library, please, Carver.’
Carver handed her the accompanying note and trotted off.
‘Anyone would think it was a love match,’ Wilhelmina grumbled, ‘rather than a marriage of convenience.’
Love had never entered into Tess’s dealings with Sandford. Each day the language of the flowers he sent spoke of loyalty and fidelity and innocence and desire, even courage, but never of love. Never once was there a rose in the bouquet. She was surprised Wilhelmina hadn’t noticed the lack. Perhaps Tess herself had only noticed because Sandford grew his own. Still theirs was not a love match, therefore she should not give it a moment’s thought. Yet foolishly her heart had ached a little more with the arrival of each bouquet.
Surely she did not fancy herself in love with Sandford? Yes, beneath that haughty arrogant exterior he had proven to be a kind and loyal friend. And, yes, she was attracted to him. Wildly. He just had to glance her way with a certain heat in his eyes and her pulse picked up speed and breathing became difficult. But love? Simply because her heart seemed to lift at the sight of him did not mean she was in love. Did it?
And in any case, they were not truly going to be married.
She sighed.
Wilhelmina rifled through the invitations and other mail Carver had delivered a half-hour before. ‘Tomorrow seems to be a choice between the Frobishers’ annual moonlight picnic or an evening of cards at the Melthorpes’. I know which dearest Phin will prefer.’ She tossed the invitations aside. ‘And then he will scold because I will have lost this week’s pin money.’
Wilhelmina had no head for cards. She could not keep track of what had been played. All her friends knew this and took shameful advantage.
‘I think Lord Sandford said he would attend the card party,’ Tess said casually.
‘I have no doubt of it,’ Wilhelmina said stiffly. ‘But it is to the picnic we shall go. I am sure I told Mrs Frobisher we would attend when I met her in Bond Street the other morning.’
Tess hid her smile. The last thing she wanted to do was sit and watch Wilhelmina at the card table. Without her own money, she could never participate, unless they were playing for pins which the Melthorpes would never do. Besides, Sandford had told her he would be at the picnic and he expected her to dance with him. He had been most attentive these past few days and had not missed a single opportunity to dance with her at least three times at each event they attended.
People were beginning to talk, especially since Phin had trumpeted the ‘secret’ to anyone who would listen. Nor did she understand why Sandford was sending her flowers every day.
‘What is the matter, Tess? Surely you are not pining for Mr Stedman.’ Wilhelmina gave her a rather sly smile. ‘Shall I tell Phin you have changed your mind and to fetch him back from Yorkshire?’
If things went on much longer it would be impossible to end this without making Sandford look like a fool. Nor did she want to end it. Not really. She would miss him terribly. As a friend. Indeed, she would miss him as a lover.
‘I do not pine,’ she said repressively.
Wilhelmina tittered. ‘You owe Phin this marriage. It is your duty to your family. Do not go putting off Sandford the way you clearly must have put off Stedman, seeing as he has not returned.’
Tess’s spine stiffened. ‘I know my duty, Wilhelmina.’
Her cousin waved a dismissive hand, as if her words meant nothing. ‘What is this I hear about Sandford taking you to Hampstead Heath fair this afternoon? Phin mentioned it when he visited me this morning at breakfast. Surely you have more sense than to risk going to such a low place? It will be infested with the veriest hoi polloi. Phin said you had asked Sandford to take you. What can you be thinking of? His lordship will think you a terrible hoyden.’
His lordship already did.
‘The aeronautist is to attempt to travel from Hampstead all the way to Scotland, sketching views of the countryside as he goes so that all may share in his adventure.’
‘It sounds like a great deal of hot air to me,’ Wilhelmina said caustically.
‘So it does, given his mode of transport.’
Wilhelmina looked blank.
Tess swallowed a groan. ‘Flying away in a balloon must be very exciting. Would you not like to try it?’
‘Good heavens, no. What a ridiculous notion. Look how many people have died in the stupid things. I prefer to keep my feet firmly planted on terra firma where they belong.’
‘Lord Sandford, my lady,’ Carver announced.
The gentleman in question sauntered in. As usual he was a picture of sartorial elegance. His piercing gaze caught hers and a slight frown appeared as if he sensed Tess’s tension.
‘Sandford,’ Wilhelmina declared. ‘Why on earth would you take my cousin to some horrid fair on Hampstead Heath? It is really not suitable. The place will be crawling with pickpockets and cut-throats and...’ she shuddered ‘...cits.’
There was nothing worse than people who worked for a living in the city apparently.
Sandford’s brow cleared. ‘Lady Tess will be quite safe with me, I assure you.’
‘Well, don’t let her go up in the balloon,’ Wilhelmina said. ‘Dearest Phin would be most displeased if she was to make such a spectacle of herself. As would you, I am sure, my lord. Not the behaviour a peer of the realm expects from a wife.’
‘Should I have a wife and she wished to fly in a balloon to the moon, then I can assure you everyone would agree it would be a most suitable endeavour for any lady of quality.’
Wilhelmina’s jaw dropped.
Tess suppressed the urge to laugh or give Sandford a round of applause. It would be rude to do so, but the twinkle in his eyes said he had interpreted her feelings exactly. It almost made her wish they were going to be married.
‘I must thank you for this morning’s bouquet, my lord,’ Tess said warmly.
He smiled and bowed. ‘My pleasure.’
Tess waited for Wilhelmina to ask him not to send any more, but all she did was give Tess a pointed stare.
‘Are you ready for our jaunt?’ he asked Tess.
‘Mims must go with you,’ Wilhelmina said.
‘I believe not,’ Sandford said immediately. ‘We will be accompanied by Hawkhurst and his wife. And since I plan on taking my curricle, there is no need for a maid.’
Rescued by the Earl's Vows Page 17