Page 55 of Reforming Lord Neil

Teresa watched him, taking in his profile with interest. The man rather reminded her, in that moment, of an especially vigilant shepherd dog. Watchful, calm, but quite ready to raise his hackles and growl if anyone so much as glanced at her. Though no threat was likely to appear, having Neil’s protection set her at ease.

Putting her packet next to her, Teresa brushed her hands over the skirt of her gown. “Neil. Thank you for coming with me. I know it was practically decreed by the countess, but you could have said no. I did not realize how uncomfortable it would be for you and the earl to spend so much time in one another’s company. I am sorry for that.”

“I already told you,” he said quietly, still not looking at her. “We will rub along well enough together, for the time being. I have no intention of provoking him.” Then he did look at her, from the corner of his eye. “And if they had not invited me, I would have invited myself. Presumptuous of me, I know.” He turned a little more away from her. “But how could I let you make such a journey without a friend?”

She had to have imagined the bitterness lacing that last word. Friend ought to be a sweet word in all circumstances. Even theirs. She undid the ribbons of her bonnet, more for something to do with her hands than anything else. “Lady Inglewood is very beautiful. Young, too.”

“I believe she is four and twenty,” Neil said, somewhat absently. “And yes, quite pretty.”

Teresa’s eyes lowered to her gloved hands, knowing full well the roughness beneath the soft leather. Teresa was not as tall as Lady Inglewood, and her hair was a great deal darker. She rather suspected herself the darker complected of the two. And she was older, due to turn one and thirty that very winter.

Not that it mattered, how she compared to someone as distant from her socially as Abigail the cow was to a duchess’s lapdog.

“I was wondering. If all goes according to our hopes tomorrow, if Mr. Clapham is forced to return to me all that is mine, will it change my arrangement with you?” She bit her lip, her eyes steady on her lap.

“Why would it?” He shifted, crossing one leg over the other and sighing. “You will still need a pair of hands around the farm, will you not? Unless you mean to ask if I will suddenly require payment. I assure you, I have no need of your funds, and I will hold to the original agreement.” When she looked up at him, she saw him still staring across the way, his eyes narrowing a fraction. “I will labor for you until my family relents. You may have the worse end of the bargain, madam. They may never wish to have me back.” Then he looked at her, dropped a quick wink, and stood.

Teresa’s heart warmed, and she stood too, ready to declare herself happy by that idea.

“We are watched,” Neil said before she spoke. “Get your things.”

She went cold and did as he said. “Where? And by whom?”

Neil took her hand rather than her arm. “Your brother-in-law, at the corner of the park. Do not look. We will return to the house and see if he approaches us.”

Swallowing her nerves, she nodded once and fell into step beside him. His fingers squeezed hers gently, then his thumb ran across the skin of her wrist. The gesture calmed her. Neil would look after her.

Not once did she look behind to see if they were followed, though she noticed Neil occasionally turning to look at carriages they passed. He covertly checked behind them.

“Still there,” he said when they arrived before the house where they stayed. “Perhaps he only means to find out where you are staying.”

“Let us hope so.” Teresa hugged her packet tighter, making the paper crinkle against her chest. “I am most upset with him for ruining our walk.”

“Is it ruined? I cannot think so. I enjoyed the time with you.” Neil spared a moment to turn his most charming smile upon her, one corner of his mouth higher than the other. “But then, I always do.”

“Even that time I made you fall out of the cherry tree?” she asked, the conversation proving a much-needed distraction.

“Especially then. Because not five minutes later, something happened that you have made me promise never to discuss, even if I will never forget it.”

Her cheeks colored and she turned, lips parted in her surprise. He alluded to their kiss.

They were at the door to the house. Neil knocked, then turned around and stared pointedly behind them. Teresa did not look back. Neil’s stance made it clear enough that his stare was a challenge, a declaration to the man following behind them. The door opened, and Teresa went through, Neil just behind her.

“Heavens.” She took off her bonnet and put it on the table, then her gloves. “That was somewhat disturbing.”

“I doubt he will bother you again.” Neil put aside his hat, too. He did not even have any gloves. “Teresa, do you play the pianoforte?”

She looked at his reflection in the mirror above the table, raising her eyebrows. “After what just happened, you wish to know if I play?”

“Of course. I think we could both use some music. I have already ascertained that there is an instrument upstairs, in a sitting room.”

Teresa turned to face him. “I play. Or I should say that I used to. I have not touched a pianoforte in almost two years.”

“Ah, then you are most fortunate to have this chance. Come. I long to hear you relearn the instrument.” Neil grinned, an expression she once might have called predatory. But she knew better. He was goading her, for her own good, to turn her thoughts elsewhere.

“Very well. I suppose I cannot disappoint you.” Even if she wished to speak of something else. Such as their kiss, as he had nearly done. But he was right. There was no point to it. A marquess’s son was far above her, even if she had her funds restored.

Neil followed her up the stairs, and she tried to stop thinking about anything except what piece she might remember well enough to play for him.