Read Online The Way to a Duke's Heart: The Truth About the Duke by Caroline Linden - Free Book Online
Authors: Caroline Linden
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tête-à-tête with the earl, but she most certainly did. “That was all? He didn’t ask about me?”
“He did ask, a little, although it made me recall . . .” She cleared her throat primly. “Well, I did become more reticent, not wishing to remind him of what you said, in case he had forgotten, but he showed no sign of any displeasure! Why, when you came into the room, I thought his expression looked . . . well . . . rather intrigued , dear . . .” Her voice, having become almost hopeful, petered out as Tessa stared at her incredulously.
“Eugenie, I’m shocked at you. Persuade me if you will that he acted out of excessive solicitude for you and your health, but you’re mad to think he—” She stopped short. “It’s rubbish. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“But you’re a very attractive lady,” persisted Eugenie timidly. “And he’s such a handsome gentleman . . .”
“He’s an earl,” she snapped. “A titled nobleman leagues above a woman of my position. You’re indulging in fantasy, Eugenie, and I beg you stop.”
“Yes, of course. I didn’t mean to upset you.” The older woman subsided, looking small and woebegone in the large armchair.
Tessa drew a deep breath. There was nothing to be gained by snapping off Eugenie’s head over this. If Lord Gresham didn’t remember or didn’t care about her imprudent remark, she should count herself very fortunate. If he found anything at all to like about her, so much the better, at least with regard to keeping Louise in good spirits. But what Eugenie intimated was complete farce, almost frighteningly so. The Earl of Gresham was the very last sort of man whose attention she wished to attract. There had been a flash of something in his eyes when he turned to see her trying to catch Eugenie’s attention from the tearoom doorway. She couldn’t even say what it was; he looked . . . well, almost pleased to see her, which was a puzzle. Their only connection was her rude remark, but he hadn’t said or done anything to indicate offense.
He had in fact been the picture of charm. Up close, the earl was even more attractive, with black hair that had just a hint of wave and dancing eyes as dark as sin. His mouth seemed permanently curved with a devilish hint of smile. It was really no surprise Eugenie had melted under the brilliance of his attention. Even Tessa, whose heart had grown a hard, protective shell years ago, felt the warmth of his smile right to her bones. Of course, that allure was also the reason she was so distrustful of him. Such a charming fellow must have some purpose in plying Eugenie with sherry and flattery. But what?
She gave her head a small shake to refocus her thoughts. How unfair it was that she could never meet a handsome man without suspecting him of every sort of vice and treachery. Just because one handsome, charming fellow had proven himself a lying snake, intent on deceiving her and using her, didn’t mean every such man was equally horrible. “I’m not angry. I was alarmed when I saw you sitting with him, but it sounds as though he acted honorably and decently, for which I am very grateful to him. I cannot believe he would notice me in any significant way, but as you say, it’s always flattering to be admired, and I would far rather be in his good graces than suffer his ill will.” Did that cover everything? Nearly. “And since we are leaving in the morning, there’s very little chance we shall see him again, which quite allays any last worries I had. Forgive me for being snappish with you.”
“Oh, but in London, we might—” Eugenie stopped as Tessa gave a small shake of her head. “You think not, dear? Would he snub us?”
“Likely not,” she said gently, “but you must remember, London is a far larger place than Bath. I doubt we shall move in the same circles, even if all my sister’s hopes are realized. It’s unlikely he would seek us out, and it would be most improper of us to seek out him. You
“He did ask, a little, although it made me recall . . .” She cleared her throat primly. “Well, I did become more reticent, not wishing to remind him of what you said, in case he had forgotten, but he showed no sign of any displeasure! Why, when you came into the room, I thought his expression looked . . . well . . . rather intrigued , dear . . .” Her voice, having become almost hopeful, petered out as Tessa stared at her incredulously.
“Eugenie, I’m shocked at you. Persuade me if you will that he acted out of excessive solicitude for you and your health, but you’re mad to think he—” She stopped short. “It’s rubbish. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“But you’re a very attractive lady,” persisted Eugenie timidly. “And he’s such a handsome gentleman . . .”
“He’s an earl,” she snapped. “A titled nobleman leagues above a woman of my position. You’re indulging in fantasy, Eugenie, and I beg you stop.”
“Yes, of course. I didn’t mean to upset you.” The older woman subsided, looking small and woebegone in the large armchair.
Tessa drew a deep breath. There was nothing to be gained by snapping off Eugenie’s head over this. If Lord Gresham didn’t remember or didn’t care about her imprudent remark, she should count herself very fortunate. If he found anything at all to like about her, so much the better, at least with regard to keeping Louise in good spirits. But what Eugenie intimated was complete farce, almost frighteningly so. The Earl of Gresham was the very last sort of man whose attention she wished to attract. There had been a flash of something in his eyes when he turned to see her trying to catch Eugenie’s attention from the tearoom doorway. She couldn’t even say what it was; he looked . . . well, almost pleased to see her, which was a puzzle. Their only connection was her rude remark, but he hadn’t said or done anything to indicate offense.
He had in fact been the picture of charm. Up close, the earl was even more attractive, with black hair that had just a hint of wave and dancing eyes as dark as sin. His mouth seemed permanently curved with a devilish hint of smile. It was really no surprise Eugenie had melted under the brilliance of his attention. Even Tessa, whose heart had grown a hard, protective shell years ago, felt the warmth of his smile right to her bones. Of course, that allure was also the reason she was so distrustful of him. Such a charming fellow must have some purpose in plying Eugenie with sherry and flattery. But what?
She gave her head a small shake to refocus her thoughts. How unfair it was that she could never meet a handsome man without suspecting him of every sort of vice and treachery. Just because one handsome, charming fellow had proven himself a lying snake, intent on deceiving her and using her, didn’t mean every such man was equally horrible. “I’m not angry. I was alarmed when I saw you sitting with him, but it sounds as though he acted honorably and decently, for which I am very grateful to him. I cannot believe he would notice me in any significant way, but as you say, it’s always flattering to be admired, and I would far rather be in his good graces than suffer his ill will.” Did that cover everything? Nearly. “And since we are leaving in the morning, there’s very little chance we shall see him again, which quite allays any last worries I had. Forgive me for being snappish with you.”
“Oh, but in London, we might—” Eugenie stopped as Tessa gave a small shake of her head. “You think not, dear? Would he snub us?”
“Likely not,” she said gently, “but you must remember, London is a far larger place than Bath. I doubt we shall move in the same circles, even if all my sister’s hopes are realized. It’s unlikely he would seek us out, and it would be most improper of us to seek out him. You
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