Page 10 of The Misfortunate Miss Farthington
Would her father say yes if he asked?
She nibbled on her lower lip.
Would she listen if he said no? Would Mr. Grant?
Oh dear. Aside from the whole ‘ending the engagement’ debacle, Tessa had never considered herself much of a rebel. But right now she couldn’t say for certain what she would do if Mr. Grant wished to court her and her parents did not give their permission.
“Very well,” her mother was saying. “I ought to let Cook know that there will be another guest at the table.”
Tessa’s shoulders sank with relief.
It was only one small impediment they’d overcome in what promised to be a long line of hurdles. But for now…
She reached out and squeezed Daphne’s hand and whispered, “Thank you.”
For now, she would celebrate this small win.
4
It was immediately apparent to Richard that while he might be welcome as a guest at Miss Farthington’s family home, no one mistook him for a potential suitor.
“We were certainly disappointed the Earl of Yardley could not attend,” his hostess told him quietly when she cornered him in the drawing room, on the far side of the room from Miss Farthington.
A slick oily sensation began to pool in his belly at the mischievous glint in the older woman’s eyes as she added, “It’s been said our Tessa has caught his eye, you know.”
This was said with the sort of impish tone he’d become accustomed to from the matrons of society. Perhaps it was the hint of silver in his hair, or the fact that he was quick to smile and almost always the host’s entertainment for the evening rather than a revered guest, but he was well used to this sort of aside.
Ladies of society seemed to see him as a confidante, while their husbands treated him like an old friend.
Tessa’s father seemed set to prove this point as he came to join them with a jovial grin. “Well, well, if it isn’t London’s most brilliant scholar.”
Richard chuckled, as he knew he ought. But his gaze caught on Miss Farthington and he couldn’t tear it away. “I would never make such a claim.”
“You didn’t have to. My daughter and my niece have done that for you.”
His head shot to the left to look at Tessa’s father.What did your daughter tell you exactly?He bit back the question. “It’s an honor to be here tonight, my lord.”
His wife tsked. “Nonsense. You are in such high demand, it is we who are honored. But truly, we are taking up too much of your time. Have you met the other guests yet?”
“I have not had the pleasure,” he murmured.
Miss Farthington looked over then, and her gaze met his. Richard pressed a hand to his chest where he could have sworn he felt a jolt of electricity the moment her eyes locked on his.
Stuff and nonsense. A look could not generate an electric spark.
But no amount of telling himself it was all in his head could take away this sensation that there was a connection between them, invisible but strong.
“Come, meet my sister,” his hostess said.
And for the next half hour, Richard found himself in the most frustrating position of his life as he exchanged glance after meaningful glance with Miss Farthington, while being forced to make polite small talk with a seemingly endless stream of utterly forgettable lords and ladies.
Well, they had been forgettable, until they arrived at the last couple, apparently newly arrived as of that afternoon.
“Of course, you must meet Captain Anthony Lorimer and his lovely wife,” his hostess said.
Richard stilled. If there was any doubt in his mind as to who Captain Lorimer was, his hostess’s stilted tone and too bright smile confirmed it.
This was the man Miss Farthington had been meant to marry. He might not have known this if his best friend wasn’t a former spy who missed his work and delighted in any excuse to dig into strangers’ personal lives.
