Tessa turned in her chair to face her stepmama, earning her a grunt from Lizzie.
“Hold still, Miss Tessa. I ain’t done.”
“Sorry, Lizzie.” To her mother, she said, “It isn’t me he’s dazzled by: it’s the dowry Grandpapa has promised him. He admitted as much during our turn in Baroness von Friesing’s garden.”
“He did?” Distaste thinned Mama’s mouth. “That’s not very gentlemanly of him, is it?”
“I prefer honesty to flattery.”
“Nonetheless, a fellow ought to show proper respect for the lady he is courting. I shall speak to Father about it.”
“Pleasedon’t, Mama.” The last thing she needed was her grandfather pressuring Ransom into a pretense of romance. “Such niceties are unnecessary, I assure you.”
“Every lady deserves niceties,” Mama said primly. “Especially during the courtship.”
Before Tessa could argue, Lizzie said, “That’s that, I think. Have a look.”
Tessa turned back toward the looking glass. She swung her head this way and that, admiring Lizzie’s handiwork. The maid had plaited several sections of her hair, arranging the dark braids to lie softly against her ears before twisting into an elegant coil at the back of her head. Her only hair ornament was a headband from which sprouted a pair of small, furry, triangular ears. The ears were made of cream-colored ermine and matched the trim on Tessa’s gown.
“Come here, dear,” Mama said, “so I can have a better look.”
Lizzie left, and Tessa went to sit on the chaise longue.
After a thorough inspection, her mama declared, “You are a diamond of the first water. Mark my words: Ransom will propose before the night is out.”
Crikey, that was thelastthing Tessa wanted. With prickling unease, she realized that she would have to find some way to discourage Ransom whilst appearing to her family that she was going along with the courtship. Not an easy balance to strike.
If only I could tell Mama and Grandpapa the truth:Bennett is the only man for me.
She slid a glance at Mama, who was happily exclaiming over the costume’s merits, and wondered how the other would react. Could her parent understand marrying for love rather than practical reasons?
On impulse, she said, “How did you know you wanted to marry my father?”
Mama blinked. “Well, he asked me. Or, rather, he asked Father for my hand. I had been recently widowed, and your father seemed like a nice man.”
“Were you…in love with him?”
“I don’t suppose I was.” Mama gave a slight shrug. “Love is not a requirement for marriage.”
Although Tessa was aware of the state of affairs between her parents, she couldn’t help but press, “Didn’t you want to love your husband?”
“I loved my first husband. Loving once was enough.” Mama’s lips pressed tightly.
The other did not discuss her first marriage…out of grief, Tessa assumed. From the rumors she’d heard, Warren Kingsley had been an inordinately robust and handsome man, one who’d died far too young in a boating accident. Poor fellow had been found floating in the Thames, hardly recognizable after dining with the fishes.
“Why this talk of love, Tessa? Are you in love with Ransom?”
“No.” Faced with Mama’s shrewd eyes, Tessa was glad she didn’t have to lie. “And that’s the problem. Iwantto love my husband.”
An amused sound rustled from Mama’s throat. “Heavens, what a romantic you are turning out to be. You’re almost as bad as Father. But take it from me,” she said with crisp pragmatism, “it is better not to burden a marriage with love. Tolerance and affection are more peaceful goals.”
Before she could reply, a fist pounded on the door.
“Tessie, you ready yet?” her grandfather’s voice bellowed. “At this rate, I ain’t going to live long enough to see this ‘secret’ costume o’ yours.”
“Let him in,” Mama advised, “before he breaks down the door.”
Tessa hurried to comply, and her heart flip-flopped as Bennett entered behind Grandpapa. Since she couldn’t very well have a bodyguard by her side at the ball, Bennett was to pose as Baron von Friesing’s footman. The plan was for him to keep a low profile and a watch on things.
