“Not at all.”
He leaned back in his chair. “That whistle… are you mocking me?”
“Of course not.”
He drew in a breath as she moved a pawn.God speed, little fellow.
“You seem at times to be a sensible woman.” He picked up a pawn and considered the board then snapped it down efficiently and picked his words carefully. “But sometimes you seem a… teasing sort of woman.”
“I suppose I do have moods, Mr. Tilbury. You, surely, also experience fluctuations of emotional states.”
“I try not to give into them.” Yes, her mother would adore this man. If she was capable of adoration. She moved her castle and refrained from whistling this time. “Do you findanythingamusing, Mr. Tilbury?”
“Of course.”
“Just not yourself.”
“Does anyone enjoy laughing at themselves?” He moved, then his gaze caught on something across the room. “Lady Chattaway approaches.”
Thank the merciful heavens.
“Tessa!” Lady Chattaway called when she was closer. “Come here, dear. I have news.”
“Excuse me.” Tessa left Tilbury at the table and pushed across the crowded room. “Is everything well?” she asked Lady Chattaway when she reached her.
“Perfect. Better than before. You’ve a new room. I’ve asked Lady Crossvale to move you to your own space so that I… Well, I didn’t tell her the truth about why I needed to be alone in my chamber, but I’m guessing you know.”
She wanted privacy for Lord Brawly’s visits. “Of course.Though you could make use of”—she lowered her voice—“his accommodations instead of your own.”
Lady Chattaway hooked their arms together and dragged Tessa from the room “We like variety. I do apologize, Tessa, but you’re out. How is Tilbury’s courtship going? Are you warming to him?”
They climbed the stairs, lifting their skirts.
“I do not think I am,” Tessa said.
“A pity. He’s quite good looking.”
“Would you be terribly upset if I decided not to marry him?”
Lady Chattaway patted Tessa’s hand. “I’d be annoyed you’re not closer to claiming carnal knowledge, but I do prioritize your happiness, and if continuing as a companion is what you wish, I’ll find you a position. You know that.”
“Thank you.”
“Bah. Gratitude is boring. Find a deserted corner of this too-big house, Tessa my girl, and see if his good looks are wasted. New information could lead to a change of heart.”
“Are you telling me to kiss him?”
“At theveryleast, dear. You’re more creative than that.” Lady Chattaway winked. “Take your Mr. Ives as an example. He’s quite the imagination.”
“What do you mean?”
“Did you not see him riding round the estate yesterday in nothing but his smalls?” Lady Chattaway popped open a fan from her pocket and fluttered it by her neck. “My, my, my. They should use his physique as the model for all future statuary.”
That’s what he’d been about in the stables, then, flinging his cravat and shirt off. “I wish I had seen it,” she mumbled.
“That’s the spirit!”
At the top of that flight, Tessa tried to turn the cornerand go up another, but Lady Chattaway pulled her down the hallway. “We stop here.”
