Page 54 of Courting the Country Miss

Tristan tried not to watch as her face lit up when she spotted Bradbury or the way he sat as close to her as he could without breaching propriety. The dog.

Next to him Mrs. Tallier heaved a dreamy sigh. “Lord Bradbury. I can scarce believe it.”

Tristan watched the woman and her look of pure rapture. “Do you know him well?”

“Oh, my goodness, yes. I’ve known him since he was in leading strings. His mother and I are great friends, and he went to Oxford with my son. One of the finest young gentlemen I’ve ever known. Of course, he’s thirty now, but still young—especially compared to me.” Her smile turned self-deprecating.

Thirty—the perfect age for a man to marry, so they say, confound it.

“To think he’s considering my Leticia…” Mrs. Tallier’s voice trailed off and her eyes took on a faraway look. She seemed to remember herself. “Well, time will tell.”

Perfect. Three ringing endorsements for Lord Bradbury. Leticia would be married by summer and then all of Tristan’s obligations to her would end.

He should be happy.

Why this knowledge made him want to challenge Lord Bradbury, he couldn’t say. Perhaps because Bradbury too closely resembled Richard? Too perfect. Too proper. Too loved by everyone.

Tristan cast one final look at Leticia and Bradbury. Bradbury smiled and tapped her on the nose, and Leticia laughed. Very cozy. Intimate.

Nauseating.

“If he hurts her, I’ll kill him,” Tristan muttered.

Mrs. Tallier looked at him in shock.

“Good day.” He stalked out of the house.

Visions of his mother riding away without looking back flashed into his mind. He had an appalling urge to weep.

Chapter Fifteen

Sitting next to Lord Bradbury on the settee, Leticia looked up as Tristan left. How odd. He hadn’t spoken to her.

“I hear your school is almost in readiness,” Lord Bradbury said.

She returned her attention to Lord Bradbury. “It is. We got everything moved in and arranged. Thanks to the success of the fundraiser, we purchased another stove. The schoolroom has one small fireplace and we feared it wouldn’t be adequate. We also dream of getting a pianoforte someday so we can teach dance but that may not happen for some time.”

Bradbury’s eyes took on a thoughtful stare. “I might be able to help you with the pianoforte. One of my properties has one. It resided in the vicar’s house but the new vicar’s wife didn’t want it taking up room in the parlor, so we stored it in the main house. No one is using it. I don’t know what kind of condition it’s in, but I can arrange to have it shipped to you and see to any repairs.”

Leticia clasped her hands together. “Would you do that?”

A slight curving of his lips softened his features and warmed his blue eyes. What a handsome gentleman, and so kind.

“If doing so puts that beautiful smile on your face again, then yes, I would consider that a small price to pay.”

Looking down, Leticia laughed, unaccustomed to such flattery. Only Tristan said such ridiculous things, and he did it to put on an act. “Then on behalf of the school, I do most humbly and gratefully accept.”

“Excellent. I’ll make the arrangements.” He met her gaze. “By any chance, do you enjoy visiting museums?”

“Very much, but I have not had a chance to do so this year.”

“Have you ever visited Bridgewater Collection at Cleveland House?”

“Oh, no.” She’d never imagined receiving an invitation to view such a private collection.

“It’s worth seeing. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me tomorrow?”

Surprised by his continued attentiveness, Leticia faltered for a moment. “Yes, of course. I’d be delighted.”