“But that’s not true,” Tessa exclaimed, horrified.“It’s so unfair.Your nephew has been nothing but honorable!”
“I know that.”
“Then how did such a rumor begin?”
“Who knows?Of course, my nephew knows all about it, but naturally he will pretend it never happened.It’s the Renfrew Way.He goes about looking cold and formal and reserved, as if nothing could pierce that ego of his, but underneath he’ll be mortified.”
“Mortified?”Tessa frowned.
“Yes of course.As you say, he’s always been the soul of honor.It would be different if he were a rake or a rascal, but that only makes it worse, don’t you see?”
Tessa didn’t respond.She was reeling from the knowledge that his gallant rescue of her from a third unwanted marriage had rebounded on him in such a dreadful way.
The old lady snorted.“Of course you don’t.You’ve had no experience of men of honor, have you?But take it from me, my nephew’s spotless reputation will make the gossips all the more gleeful and vindictive.‘How the mighty have fallen’ kind of thing.Ill-disposed wastrels will positively delight in dragging his reputation through the gutter.But will he fight it?Never.His pride is too great.”
She took a swig of the brandy Peverill had placed beside her, ate a slice of cake and eyed Tessa cynically.“I realize the gossip also concerns you, but since you hardly know anyone in society it will scarcely signify to you.Besides, you’re going to Yorkshire.”
“I don’t have the job yet.”
Lady Gosforth ignored that.“No, you’ll be well out of it, far away in Yorkshire, leaving my nephew to face the music, the scandal, the shame alone.”
“But—”
“Naturally I will support him, but the support of an aunt ...”She shrugged.“Who would believe me?”
“But hedidn’tsteal me from my brother—herescuedme!Youknowthat.And he’s been staying at his club the whole time.”
“And taking you riding most mornings, where anyone could see the two of you together.”
Tessa bit her lip.That his kindness should be so interpreted.“That’s true, but he was just being kind.In any case, who would believe thatyouwould allow any impropriety while you’re living here?”
“Pfft!You would try to combat scurrilous gossip withthe truth?How naive can you get?These people don’t care about the truth.A nasty story, fabricated or not, is much more entertaining than the truth.Especially if it destroys the reputation of an honorable man.”
Tessa sank back in her chair.This was dreadful.For Marcus’s gallantry to be repaid in this dreadful way ...It was unbearable.“Is there nothing I can do?”
The old lady sank back wearily.“No, no, my dear, you just run away, prepare for your new life in Yorkshire.Don’t give us a thought.”
“I won’t go.Besides, I don’t even have a reply to my letter yet.”
Lady Gosforth waved that off.“Iwill stand by my nephew.Don’t worry about us.You go and pack.My nephew and I will face down this atrocious scandal together.I just need a little rest first.”She rose and tottered from the room.
Tessa watched her go, appalled at what she had learned No wonder Marcus had been so silent during their ride.She’d assumed it was some business or political matter that he’d been thinking about, but instead, it was a dreadful scandal she’d inadvertently dragged him into.
#
AT ELEVEN THE FOLLOWINGmorning Marcus stood outside Alverleigh house.He was absurdly nervous.He was never nervous.He was carefully but informally dressed, in immaculate buckskins, a starched white shirt—no frills—and a gray waistcoat and navy coat.His boots gleamed with polish and he’d shaved twice.
Perhaps he shouldn’t have sent that note to his aunt, asking her to be out when he called.He didn’t want her sticking her nose in—which she would, of course.She couldn’t help herself.But what if, forewarned of his intentions, Tessa had taken the opportunity to slip out to avoid him?He rang the doorbell.
“Is Lady Hewitt at home, Peverill?”he asked his butler.
Peverill stood back to let him enter.“She is, m’lord.If you will wait in the front drawing room, I will inform her of your arrival.”
Tessa came downstairs a few minutes later, dressed in yet another plain dress, this one in dark blue, but it only served to highlight her natural beauty; her silken complexion, the silver-gilt color of her hair, which clustered in feathery curls around her face, the soft rose-pink mouth and those glorious violet-blue eyes.
After the usual greetings had been exchanged, he asked her the question that had been worrying him.“Has my aunt been treating you well?”
She hesitated and he tensed.Aunt Maude had a caustic tongue when she was displeased.Her family knew it often hid a kind heart, but Tessa wouldn’t realize that.
