She glanced up into his haughty expression. ‘Do you have to creep up on a person?’
Her heart sped up. Because he had startled her—nothing else. And if the recollection of his kiss had flashed into her mind, it was only to remind her to be extremely careful around this man.
He gave a soft laugh. ‘One would be hard pressed to sneak about in here.’
That low laugh made butterflies take wing in her lower abdomen. So annoying. She glanced towards the teacart. Mr Stedman was on his way back with two teacups in one hand and a plate of biscuits in the other.
‘Do you have news for me, my lord?’ She kept her voice low in case anyone was listening, but could not keep the urgency out of her tone.
His eyes were sympathetic. He had no reason for sympathy, unless... Her stomach dipped.
‘Excuse me.’ Mr Stedman thrust a teacup and saucer at Tess. ‘Lady Theresa, your tea. I put plenty of sugar in it.’
Of course he would. She usually only took cream, but he’d made her tea the way he liked his.
And how had he moved so quickly through the crowded room? She ground her teeth in frustration. ‘Mr Stedman, may I introduce you to Lord Sandford?’
Her swain visibly brightened. He set the plate down on a nearby table, and with an overly friendly expression reached out to shake Sandford’s hand, pumping as if it would cause nobility to spill forth and anoint him. ‘Please to meet you, my lord. Very pleased.’
Tess sipped at her tea, naughtily wondering how the stiff nobleman would handle such an effusive greeting.
Sandford raised an eyebrow. ‘Stedman.’ An awkward pause ensued.
Stedman swallowed down a sip of tea. ‘What about this business of Ireland, then, my lord? Damn lot of Catholics wanting the same rights as Protestants. Divisive, I call it. Taking positions that belong to good Christian men.’
‘Truly, sir?’ Sandford looked down his nose. ‘Personally, some of my best friends are of the Catholic persuasion and are all able men and certainly Christian.’ Sandford’s gaze shifted to her. ‘What is your opinion on the issue, Lady Tess?’
Tess tried to hide her surprise. He wanted her opinion? But the mocking curve to his lips gave him away. No doubt he wanted to make her say something she would regret.
Stedman’s face darkened. He put up a hand to forestall her answer. ‘Lady Theresa thinks as her cousin thinks, I should suppose.’
Rebellion rose inside her. ‘I think people should be judged by what they do rather than because of their religious leanings.’
Mr Stedman looked so affronted that she wished she had held her tongue. And then she didn’t. Now she really was getting to know him better, the idea of being married to this man was becoming more and more distasteful. ‘Lord Sandford?’ she enquired sweetly.
‘I agree wholeheartedly, Lady Tess.’
‘Theresa,’ Mr Stedman muttered. ‘Lady Theresa.’ He glared at Sandford.
Tess took a sip of tea to hide her smile of triumph, poor victory though it might have been.
A bored expression passed across Sandford’s face. He bowed. ‘If you will excuse me, my lady, I see an acquaintance.’ He wandered off and the next moment was deeply engrossed in conversation with Lord Canning, a known supporter of Catholic emancipation.
Tess swallowed a laugh at the look of fury on Mr Stedman’s face. Oh dear, she really was beginning to dislike him very much indeed. How very awkward.
‘You may smile, Lady Theresa,’ he said stiffly, ‘but one expects a man in his position to set an example, not go about inciting unrest. Next thing he’ll be supporting the idea that women should have a say in Parliament. I would have thought better of a friend of the King’s. And as for you supporting such reactionary views, well, I am shocked. Mother would be most dismayed.’
She opened her mouth to issue a set-down, then closed it again, with the greatest difficulty. One could hardly cause a scene, like refusing a proposal as yet to be made, in such a public place, but, oh, she hoped Sandford had good news. A feeling of dread in her stomach promised something else.
A servant near the door rang a bell.
‘Time to return to our seats,’ she said.
‘Yes, indeed. Come along, Lady Theresa. We don’t want to lose our places.’
She wanted to lose him with all her heart.
As they moved towards the music room, she glimpsed Sandford paying close attention to the words of a most elegant female. Tall and willowy and blonde, she was exactly the sort of woman men preferred. Her heart seemed to dip and that was ridiculous. She was disappointed that they hadn’t had a chance to talk, that was all.
The only reason to even notice Sandford existed, she told herself, was that she needed to find Grey.
The evils of her situation suddenly felt unbearable. With her father’s death her life had turned upside down and her expectations had changed dramatically. If only things could go back to the way they were before that day, life would once again be perfect.
A childish wish for things that could never be. She had to find her own solutions now.
She glanced at Stedman and repressed a little shudder.
* * *
While he listened to Lady Caroline with half an ear, Jaimie watched Lady Tess walk out of the drawing room on Stedman’s arm. Why on earth would a woman as lively and intelligent as she put up with such an idiot? The way the man put a hand in the small of her back as he ushered her out of the room exhibited a possessiveness Jaimie found distasteful in the extreme. Devil take it. Lady Tess was none of his business. And once he delivered his news, his obligation was at an end.
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