Lord Boswood approached Tessa and stood beside her. He didn’t say anything for several minutes. Tessa wondered what he wanted. She almost said something, but she remembered Uncle George’s advice. Do not feel compelled to fill the silence.
At last, Boswood cleared his throat. “My daughter told me you spoke to her and Miss Hardwick recently.”
The backs of her hands prickled. He probably did not appreciate her interference, especially her advice to the girls to listen to their hearts rather than aim to please their parents. Again she said nothing. She kept her gaze on Tristan and Hawk as they hopped and called out good-natured insults at each other.
“You put her mind at ease,” Boswood said.
She swerved her surprised gaze to him.
He watched the races. She glanced at Tristan as he handed off his sack to Georgette and helped her inside. The girl took two hops and promptly fell on her backside, giggling. Tristan ran to help her, and Hawk called him a cheat. Then Hawk ran to a struggling Julianne, picked her up, and carried her to the finish line. Tessa laughed.
Boswood turned to her. “Why in the world did you invite twenty-four gels to court him?”
She smiled. “I could tell you I only wanted him to have as many choices as possible. Or that I felt all those girls deserved an opportunity to court him. And to some degree, those reasons were true.” She met Boswood’s gaze. “But I would be lying if I didn’t admit I recognized a golden opportunity to advance my matchmaking career.”
He smiled a little. “If you were a man, you would make a formidable political opponent.”
She thought of that day in her drawing room when Tristan had told her she would make a formidable barrister. The thought of him brought her gaze to the field. Tristan offered his arm to Georgette and started strolling. Another little piece of Tessa’s heart crumbled. “No, I wouldn’t have the stomach for politics,” she said. “I’m a woman, and I’ve a soft spot.”
Boswood watched his daughter. “We all do, Miss Mansfield.”
Chapter Twenty
On Saturday morning, Tessa’s nerves stretched tighter and tighter as she sat on the sofa with the duchess in the gold drawing room. Everyone else took seats. Tristan had changed the plans, and now everyone fidgeted, waiting for him to explain.
Tristan stood in front of the fire dressed in a blue coat and buff trousers. His expression was solemn as he clasped his hands behind his back. Tessa drank in his features, committing them to memory—his black tousled hair, thick brows, perfect nose, and square jaw, freshly shaven, leaving only a hint of his heavy beard. Most of all she wanted to remember his brilliant blue eyes and the many times he’d gazed so intently at her.
The courtship would end this morning.
Her throat constricted. She clasped her cold hands so hard her fingers hurt. Be happy for him. If you really love him, you will sincerely wish him happy.
“I will make this brief,” he said. “After due consideration, I encountered a problem.”
She gaped at him. That first day of the courtship, she’d uttered similar words. When he slid a sly glance at her, she knew he wanted her to respond. “And what problem was that?”
“Both of them qualified,” he said.
“Qualified?” Mr. Hardwick said, frowning.
“Clearly both ladies have unique and special qualities,” Tristan said. “But I could not choose one over the other. In short, gentlemen, your daughters are perfect.”
Georgette hugged Amy. “He chose us both after all.”
Amy laughed. “Miss Mansfield said that is illegal.”
The duchess made a strangled sound. Oh, dear, Tessa thought. The duchess probably worried the girls had feathers for brains.
Tristan held up his hand. “I will make a decision after we return to London.”
Stars above. He was keeping them all in suspense. Drat him. He enjoyed holding that power over people. But her heart rejoiced, her silly heart that thought he’d reconsidered marrying for duty, when she knew nothing had changed.
Julianne pouted. “Mama, that is unfair. Make him choose.”
Hawk winked at Tessa and then regarded Tristan. “I say, old boy, it is rather unsporting of you to keep us waiting.”
Tessa’s lips twitched. Hawk had purposely repeated the words he’d said the day after the opera.
Tristan cleared his throat. “After we return to London, I will call on each of the girls individually at their respective homes. This is an important decision—a lifetime decision. It is not something I take lightly. I hold both girls in the highest esteem.” He looked first at Amy and then at Georgette. “I once told you that you have a choice in the matter. You still do. You have a say, you always have. I depend upon your complete honesty, ladies. Will you both promise me that you will contemplate all I’ve said before I call on you?”
“Yes,” Amy whispered.
“Of course,” Georgette said.
“We all have a long journey ahead of us today. I wish you all safe travels.”
And just like that, her matchmaking role was over. Without the fanfare she’d imagined that first day he’d asked her to find him a duchess. She walked out with everyone else while he stood talking to Hawk. It was better this way, she told herself as she climbed the stairs. He’d crushed her fan one fateful night, offered to pay for it, and sought her out again after she’d fled. Before this day ended, she would tell him good-bye forever. And hold him in her heart all the days of her life.
The shadows reached halfway to the gates of Tessa’s town house as Tristan escorted her to her door after the long journey back to London. The two burly footmen he’d hired had already carried off her trunks. He’d sent his mother home in the carriage with Julianne and Hawk.
He needed to say good-bye to Tessa.
They had ridden in separate carriages this time. He’d only seen her at inns along the journey. Now he glanced at her pillow-plump lips, remembering how the sight of her made-for-sin mouth had struck him stone senseless that first night he’d seen her at the ball.
She returned his gaze, her smile a little sad. All too soon they reached the open door. Gravesend stood there, stalwart and ready to serve his mistress.
Tessa turned to Tristan. “Will you shake hands with me?”
Tristan took her gloved hand, lifted it to his lips, and let her go.
Her spring-green eyes glimmered with tears. “I’ll never forget you,” she said, her voice a bit tremulous. “Good-bye, Your Grace.” And then she fled inside, the same way she’d fled when he’d tried to give her his card at the ball the first night he’d met her.
Tristan rummaged inside his coat and handed Gravesend a folded paper. “My addresses in town and in Oxfordshire are listed. If she is ever in need, please send a messenger immediately.”
Gravesend pocketed the paper. “On behalf of the late Lord Wentworth, I thank you for your concern for the little missy.”
Tristan regarded the old man’s white brows and lined face. “You are to be commended for your excellent service to your mistress.”
Gravesend’s tired eyes grew a little watery. “Lord Wentworth asked me on his deathbed to protect her. There wasn’t anybody else, you see.”
Tristan frowned. “At one time, Wentworth meant to send her to friends in London for her come-out. Could he not prevail upon them?”
“Rysinger had accepted a foreign post,” Gravesend said. “Wentworth grew weak, so he asked his niece to write letters to his other friends. She never sent them.”
She’d not wanted to leave her uncle or her home, Tristan thought. When he offered his hand, the old man shook it. “Take care of her,” Tristan said hoarsely.
After church the next day, Tessa walked up the pavement to Anne’s town house. Tom and Jack accompanied her because Gravesend had refused to let her go without protection. She’d thought it a bit silly when she’d learned both footmen had stowed knives in their boots.
When they reached the door, Jack lifted the knocker. Tessa’s stomach l
urched at the memory of Richard bursting into her home. “Wait,” she said.
“My lady, let us quit this place,” Tom said. “You don’t want to chance meeting up with that blackguard.”
She took a deep breath and exhaled. “No, I only needed a moment to prepare. I have you and Jack to protect me. And I must resolve this business once and for all.” Otherwise, she would never sleep peacefully again.
Jack rapped the knocker. When the butler answered, his eyes popped open when she insisted Jack and Tom must accompany her. She removed her shawl and looked up in surprise as Broughton walked into the entrance hall. He eyed her enormous footmen and drew her aside. “What is wrong?” he said in low tones.
She trembled. “Is Mortland here?”
“No, I turned him out a week ago today.” Broughton’s mouth thinned. “He stole the emerald necklace I gave Anne on our wedding day.”
“Oh, no.” She covered her mouth. Poor Anne.
“Tell me quickly what happened,” Broughton said.
She related the entire story of what had happened after Mortland invaded her town house. “Because it was so late and I was leaving for Gatewick Park the next morning, I decided to contact you when I returned. I fear he will retaliate.”
Broughton winced. “Come with me to the drawing room. Say nothing of him to Anne. I don’t want to cause her additional vexation. Afterward, I’ll speak to you in my study.”
A few minutes later, Tessa sat beside Anne on the settee and listened to her friend relate the same story about the necklace.
“My husband suspected Richard had lied about his absence after the war,” Anne said. “In my heart, I knew something was amiss, but I wanted to give him a chance. I’m so sorry for the ill way he treated you, Tessa.”
“Anne, you must not blame yourself.”
“I wanted so badly to believe in the miracle of his return, and he took advantage of me.”
“He’s gone now, Anne,” Broughton said. “He can’t make you unhappy again.”
Anne gazed at her husband. “You told me to think of our blessings, and there is so much happiness ahead of us.” She spread her hand over her belly. Broughton’s eyes softened.
Tessa swallowed. Why had she not thought of it?
Broughton laughed softly. “I fear we have given away our little secret.”
Anne turned to Tessa. “It is early days yet, but I am certain. All the signs—”
Tessa enfolded Anne in a hug. Her eyes welled with tears. “I am so happy for you.” But I am so unhappy because I will never know your joy. And that hurt all the more because she’d said good-bye to Tristan yesterday.
They broke apart. “Oh, look at me, weeping with happiness for you,” Tessa said, rummaging inside her reticule.
She and Anne both dried their tears.
“Will you be the babe’s godmother, Tessa? I could think of no one I would want more than the sister of my heart.”
Tessa sniffed. “I would be honored.” She would love Anne’s babe as if the child were her own.
“Will you visit us at Clarewood?” Broughton asked. “Anne cannot bear spending the summer without you.”
Things happen for a reason. “I shall for as long as you are willing to put up with me. But first, we must plan Jane’s wedding.”
Anne exclaimed over the news of Jane’s engagement. They spoke of shopping for wedding finery for several minutes.
Broughton cleared his throat. “Anne, you should rest. I’ll escort Miss Mansfield downstairs.”
As they descended the stairs, Tessa fought the heartache threatening to overwhelm her. As happy as she was for her friend, Tessa was still raw with grief for Tristan. She’d known she would suffer, but knowing was nothing compared to the reality. The pain was physical, blinding, and with her always. One footstep at a time. One breath at a time. One minute at a time.
When they reached the marble floor, the butler walked into the great hall. Tristan and Hawk followed him.
Tessa inhaled on a ragged breath.
As if from a great distance, she heard Broughton greet them. Hawk carried a leather case. “I’ve papers you need to read,” he said to Broughton.
Tristan stopped before Tessa. She gazed into his beautiful blue eyes. Time stood still as she drank him in and let her empty heart fill.
Broughton’s voice brought her to her senses. “Gentlemen, I was about to discuss a grave matter with Miss Mansfield.”
Tristan turned his attention to Broughton. “Is Mortland on the premises?”
Broughton shook his head. “Join me in my study. I’ll explain everything.”
While Broughton and Hawk strode ahead, Tristan escorted her at a much slower pace. “I received disturbing news about Mortland.”
“What is it?” she whispered.
“I know he went to your house the night before we left for Gatewick Park.”
She gasped. “How did you find out?”
“I hired a Bow Street runner. He’d sent the report to my London town house while we were in the country.” He narrowed his eyes. “Why did you keep this from me?”
She could not tell him Richard had threatened to reveal their past to him. “There was nothing you could do, and I told you I meant to speak to Broughton after we returned,” she said under her breath. “I do not want you involved.”
“I am involved, and I will stay involved until that scoundrel is caught,” he gritted out. “You’d better tell me the whole of it quickly.”
“He forced his way into my house. My footmen apprehended him and took him to a seedy locale.”
His jaw worked. “Did he hurt you?”
“No, but he shoved Gravesend into a wall.”
“Bloody bastard,” he muttered. “Tessa, he is dangerous. Whether you like it or not, I mean to protect you. You will not keep secrets from me.”
She looked away. My love, you’ve no idea how much I’ve kept from you.
When they reached Broughton’s study, Tristan sat in a chair beside her. Hawk handed the leather case to Broughton. “You will find detailed reports of the investigations Shelbourne and I conducted.”
She swerved her stunned gaze to Tristan. He arched his brows, but said nothing.
Broughton read the papers. When Tessa asked to see them, Tristan shook his head. “The reports are explicit, and I do not want you to see the revolting details.”
Afterward, Broughton regarded her with a grim expression. “I believe you are in danger, Miss Mansfield.”
“He’ll seek vengeance, but I mean to stop him,” Tristan said.
“But how?” Tessa said. “He could hide for months. I have footmen to protect me, but I shall look over my shoulder constantly. I cannot live that way.”
“We’ll find him, Miss Mansfield,” Hawk said.
She wet her dry lips. “He’ll wait for the right moment to strike out again. He swore to make me pay for what I did to him.” She could not tell them he meant to make her pay for her betrayal all those years ago.
Broughton set the papers aside. “I feel the blame. I’ve known his obsession with Miss Mansfield since the day he crossed my threshold. He asked too many questions and spoke about her constantly.”
“He admitted he used to watch her paint from afar,” Tristan said. “The blackguard spied on her.” He looked at her. “I sent my secretary to the village near Hollincourt to sniff out old news. God, to think how close you came to harm makes me ill.”
Her stomach roiled. Why had he not told her about his investigation at Hollincourt? You’re safe. It’s been eight years. Not a whisper. No suspicion.
“You were in danger,” Hawk said to her. “There was a village girl who was not so fortunate. Her family sent her away and refuses to speak of her. You can imagine the probable reason.”
“We’ve no proof, but it happened shortly after Mortland reported for military duty,” Tristan said. “I do not think it is a coincidence.”
Tessa’s stomach cramped. She’d thought Molly had left for a position
as a maid at a grand estate. No one had told her the rumors, but the tenants would not have dared to share salacious gossip with her. Certainly no one would have said anything to Anne or her father.
“We believe the unfortunate girl was the real reason your uncle bought Mortland’s commission,” Tristan said. “He must have wanted to get rid of him.”
She averted her gaze. Tristan was wrong about the commission, but she could not bring herself to enlighten him.
“I’m relieved you escaped harm, Miss Mansfield,” Broughton said. “His fixation on you was unnatural.”
“He’s bound to be sniffing after her fortune,” Hawk said.
“I plan to step up my search efforts,” Tristan said. “The man poses a serious threat to Miss Mansfield.”
“My God, what is to be done?” Broughton said.
“I’ve hired men to search for him,” Tristan said. “When he’s captured, I want him handed over to a press gang.”
“With pleasure,” Broughton said. “I’ll invent a story to explain his sudden absence.”
Tristan regarded her. “I mean to capture him quickly, but I worry because you are alone.”
“Miss Mansfield,” Broughton said. “You and Miss Powell may stay here until Shelbourne finds Mortland. Anne would enjoy your company, and you would be safe here.”
“I appreciate your offer, but he could hide for months,” Tessa said. “I will take precautions.”
Tristan looked intently into her eyes. “He invaded your home a week ago and abused your elderly butler. I fear he may try to abduct you.”
Her stomach cramped again, but she forced herself to remain outwardly calm. “Gravesend has posted one of my footmen near the front door during the day. At night, one of them stands guard at the gates.”
“Do not go out unless it is absolutely necessary. It’s not worth the risk,” Tristan said.
Tessa nodded, knowing she would feel vulnerable in a public place. The night Richard had forced entry into her home she’d witnessed his brute strength. He’d hurt Gravesend, and he’d meant to hurt her. She shuddered.
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