But Marcus could see Tessa standing on the landing of the stairs behind the butler, looking cool and serene in a pale green dress.She said nothing, just stared down at him, a troubled line between her brows.
The chaperone from the other night seized her by the arm and pulled her back.“She is not at home,” the woman called down.
Marcus pushed past the butler and stepped inside.
“I told you, Milady does not accept callers,” the butler said crossly and, grabbing Marcus by the sleeve, tried to pull him away.
Marcus didn’t move.The man’s ineffectual attempts to oust him had no effect whatsoever.He just looked up at Tessa and waited.If she wanted him gone, he would go, but until then ...
She had a low inaudible conversation with the chaperone, then shook off the woman’s grip, saying, “It’s all right Hodges, Lord Alverleigh can enter.Show him into the drawing room and bring us a pot of tea, if you please.”
The woman shrugged and went back up the stairs, leaving Tessa alone with Marcus.Strange behavior for a chaperone, he thought, though he welcomed the privacy.
“Why did you come?”Tessa said once they were settled and the butler had departed.
“I had to see you, speak to you.”
“It’s very kind of you, but really”—she hesitated—“I don’t see the point.”
“Why?We were friends as children, and now we are adults, why should we not continue that friendship?”
She glanced away.“It’s all different now.”
“In what way?”
The butler returned with a tray bearing a pot of tea, cups and saucers, sugar and a plate of biscuits.Tessa busied herself pouring the tea and passed Marcus his cup.
She sat back.There was a short silence.Marcus sipped his tea—he didn’t want it: he was just being polite.But the ritual of serving tea was a soothing one.
After a few minutes’ silence, he set his cup down and repeated the question.“Why is it all different now?”
“Because we are different people now, of course.”
“We’re both older, that’s true.But I don’t see that as a problem.”
She sipped her tea, avoiding his eyes.He waited, then added, “I’m worried about you.”
“Worried?”she said with a brightness that didn’t ring true.“Whatever for?”
He wasn’t sure what to say.He didn’t want to reveal what Barney had said about her and her brother.“I didn’t like the way your brother treated you at the ball the other night.”
She made a dismissive gesture.“That was nothing.He was a little bit drunk.”
“Nevertheless—”
“I can handle Edgar.”
He set down his cup.“To be frank, I heard a rumor that your brother was arranging a marriage for you—”
“No.”
“—to the gentleman your brother introduced you to the other night at the ball.”He waited, holding his breath.
There was a short silence.Outside a carriage rolled past.A dog barked.
She stirred her tea slowly, then lifted her chin.“It’s true that Edgar wishes me to marry again but I’m not doing it.Sir Henry Lester has asked for my hand, but I have refused him.”
Marcus swallowed.The relief he felt at her cool, firm words surprised him.
