Page 28 of The Misfortunate Miss Farthington
His chest felt too tight, and the cravat too tight around his neck. Was it his imagination or was there a clock ticking loudly with each second that passed and he did not see her?
“Quite the crush tonight, eh?” Luke said good naturedly.
A muscle in Richard’s jaw ticked dangerously. He had no patience left. It had taken everything not to run to Tessa immediately after his meeting with the Earl of Charmian. But he’d had other business to attend to—his father and brothers to consult with, for one.
But now, tonight…there was nothing stopping him from telling her how he felt.
And then telling her father that he had no plans to step aside. Not now and not ever. The only way he’d ever give up on Tessa was if she herself told him she wanted nothing more to do with him.
The thought made his heart leap into his throat.
She very well could say that. He shook off the fear. Now was not the time to second guess her or her feelings.
Now was the time to declare his intentions. He straightened his shoulders and stood a little straighter. And that was when he spotted her. Looking glorious and perfect with her dark hair up and her skin glistening like the softest silk, she moved with grace beneath the candelabra’s glow, smiling serenely in that way of hers that seemed to put everyone at ease.
For him, that smile had a far more incendiary effect. It made the tightness ease in his chest, yes, but every other muscle in his body seemed to tense with the need to reach for her. To hold her.
She turned and their gazes locked across the room. Her eyes widened and then the most spectacular smile curved her lips.
He smiled back and that anxious knot was forgotten. She was here and she would be his. He’d do whatever it took to make it so.
Without so much as a word to Luke and Lydia, he strode further into the crowd, determined to get to her. It was easier said than done, of course, because the crowd seemed to grow thicker with every step he took in her direction.
At last, he found an easier path by using one of the hallways that ran alongside the ballroom. He spotted her first, at the end of the hall, and when she saw him, they moved as one, heading toward each other with a quickened pace, his heart thumping wildly with every step.
They met at the doorway to the ballroom.
“Richard,” she breathed when they were mere inches apart. “You came.”
“Tessa,” he returned. “I couldn’t stay away.”
They shared a smile that seemed to say so much and yet there was still so much that needed to be said.
“Ah, Mr. Grant.” Her father’s voice had them both stiffening as he joined them, his wife right beside him.
“Have you seen Lord Yardley, Mr. Grant?” Her mother was looking around distractedly, seemingly unaware of the tension that thrummed amongst the other three.
“Er, no,” he said. “I have not.”
“He’s not coming.” Tessa’s pronouncement had everyone turning to look at her. “He’s not coming tonight,” she said again, meeting her parents’ gazes evenly. “And for that I am glad.”
“But—”
“Tessa—”
She cut off her mother and her father with a quick shake of her head. “I do not wish to marry him.”
“You haven’t even met him,” her mother protested.
“I do not need to meet him to know he is not the man I wish to wed.”
Richard’s lips parted and his chest felt like it might explode from the sudden swelling of his heart and the joy that pierced his lungs.
Her father understood her meaning quickly and his brows drew down in anger.
Anger which he turned on Richard. “What is the meaning of this?”
“That’s why I came here tonight, my lord,” he said. “I was hoping to speak to you first, but—”
