“I could offer my tutoring services again or teach at that school in Norwich. My friend Magda says they’re in need of more teachers.”
“It’s a sizable check, Tess. And whatever’s found might help us finish Pater’s book.”
She sighed. “I said I’ll consider it.”
“Good. Now tell me why you got sacked.”
“In sum, Dominic Prince was the cause.” Might as well just blurt it out and not prevaricate. But even saying the man’s name made her pulse pick up speed. She felt heat rush into her cheeks and willed Tristan not to notice.
But of course he did. Then he leaned closer. “Did you have a dalliance in the city?”
Tess’s warm cheeks went furnace-hot and she shot her twin a glare. “Don’t be daft. I’ve had my share of scandal, thank you very much.” She crossed her arms. “The man got me dismissed.”
“Did you kiss him first?” he teased.
“I should have kicked him.” But of course, she’d thought of kissing Dominic Prince. How could she look at a man so beautiful and not think what his lips might feel like on hers? Regardless of all her vows about becoming the most respectable spinster in England.
“There he is,” a man barked.
“Drunk, of course,” another replied.
At the deep, angry voices, Tess stiffened. She knew those voices, and a sinking feeling told her she knew exactly who thehein question would be.
“Ignore them,” Tristan murmured, keeping his gaze fixed on the tabletop.
Tess couldn’t ignore them. The Bromley brothers were massive, angry, and no doubt headed straight for her brother.
She let out a sigh, gave Tristan one long-suffering glower, and stood to face them.
“Gentlemen, how are you this evening?”
Even with all their bluster, their expressions softened.
“Not as well as could be, Miss Hawthorne,” the younger Bromley said with a nod and a half-smile. He was as tall and intimidating as his brother, but he’d always seemed kinder.
“Tess,” the elder, Bill Bromley, said, his dark gaze boring into hers, “you can’t protect him forever.”
He’d been one of her father’s tutees, a childhood friend, and she empathized with him entirely.
“I don’t know exactly what he’s done, Bill,” Tess admitted. “I only just returned from London.”
“It’s Justine. As soon as he comes around, her hopes rise again,” the younger explained.
“So he’d do well to stay away.” Bill, the elder, took a step closer, and Tess laid a hand on his shoulder. “I’m here to make sure he stays away.”
“I’ll see that he does,” she vowed to him.
He narrowed dark eyes on her, but she felt no fear despite how he towered over her. Tess counted his wife a dear friend, and Sarah would never forgive him if he did Tess harm.
“After all you do,” he said quietly, “it’s not much of a man who makes his sister his protector.”
Tess heard Tristan shift and pivoted to stop him from whatever drunken impulse had prompted him to intervene. But she was too late.
He thrust his arm past her and it connected with a sickening thwack against Bill Bromley’s cheek.
The elder Bromley was hardly jostled by the blow, but his brother lunged forward and grabbed Tristan by the shirtfront. Tristan wheeled an arm up again, bringing his forearm down hard.
That’s when Tess saw local bully Nigel Hardy stand to join the fray. The Bromleys were well-liked by all, but Hardy relished a good fight.
