She stumped away to the small sitting room, which was her favorite, leaving Tessa alone with Lord Alverleigh.She took advantage of the opportunity.“I have a letter to send, but I’m not sure how to send it.I’ve always had someone frank it for me.”
“Yes, of course, give it to me.”He barely glanced at it before slipping her letter into his pocket.“Was that all?How did it go really, with my aunt’s friends?”
She shrugged.“I didn’t expect anything to come of it.Your aunt seems quite hostile to the idea of my seeking employment.”
“You are still set on that?”
“Yes, of course.I must find some way to support myself, surely you can see that.”
“Marcus!”Lady Gosforth called down the hallway.“I’m waiting.”
“General Gosforth summons me,” Lord Alverleigh murmured.“Would you be interested in a visit to Hampstead Heath tomorrow morning?It’s quite a long ride, but I think you’d enjoy it.Weather permitting, of course.”
Tessa smiled.“Thank you, that would be lovely.”How could his aunt think this man was cold and unapproachable?Oh, during the morning visit he’d appeared cold and even a bit harsh—he almost never smiled, and she’d never heard him laugh—but if you discounted his severe mien and considered his actions, he was thoughtful and kind.And she liked the way he called his aunt General Gosforth, without in the least disrespecting her.It was clear to Tessa that he was, in fact, very fond of her.
#
MARCUS HAD BARELY STEPPEDinto the small sitting room when his aunt snapped at him, “How long are you going to let that child exhaust herself applying for positions she’s not remotely suited for?”
Marcus blinked.Tessa had apparently gone from being ‘that creature’to‘that child.’
“It’s what she wants, Aunt Maude.”
“Pshaw!It’s not what she wants, boy—it’s all she thinks she can have.”
“I know.”
She stared at him.“Youknow?Then why the devil don’t you do something about it?”
“I will.In my own good time” He had no intention of explaining his plans to his aunt.He’d only just made up his mind, and he needed to give Tessa time to get used to the idea.She’d had so few choices in her life, he wasn’t going to join the line of men who’d ruled her.
Besides he wanted her to choose him freely, not be driven to it by poverty and desperation.Though he wasn’t sure what he’d do if she did accept a post with one of his aunt’s friends.Try to talk her out of it, he supposed.
“Well, time is running out.”
“I know what I’m doing, Aunt Maude.”Ignoring her derisive snort, he continued, “There is no need for you to worry.I have it all well in hand.”He didn’t, of course.It all depended on Tessa, and he understood her now much less than he had when he was a child.She had a past that had somehow ...changed her.But he wasn’t giving up on her.
