Lord Suitor (11 page)

Nat,
the bugger, laughed.

"You're
coming to Vauxhall?" A stupid question, Tessa realized. Hadn't he already
said so? "How?"

"The
usual way. In my carriage, to first collect you and then take us to the landing
stage. Followed by sculls across the river. Oh, you mean how am I included?
It's my party. Your maman knew I intended to be back to escort you. Perfectly
understandable as we are neighbors."

"Argh."
Tessa would have liked to stamp her foot or kick him. She lifted it.

"Careful,
my lady, or Lady Jersey will think I've been plying you with drink."

"I
rather wish you had, after that pronouncement."

"Oh
dear, you need to be bosky for it to be palatable?"

Tessa
grit her teeth. "No," she said slowly. "Then I can imagine you
had also partaken and were talking from the perspective of one glass too
many."

Chapter Eleven

Later
that evening, Nat dressed for the outing to Vauxhall in a cheerful frame of mind.
So far his campaign was going according to plan, and Tessa was nicely off
kilter. He didn't think it would always be so, but while it was, he intended to
enjoy it. He whistled as Judd helped him into his coat.

"I'm
looking forward to tonight, Judd. A good strategist always plans properly, and
as a strategist, I am the best." He slipped on his signet and walked to
the door. "I will be back after Vauxhall, and then I will be going out
almost immediately. I won't suggest you don't wait up for my first return, when
I'll need plainer clothes like I'd wear at the Hall. However, you will not wait
up for my second. I trust I make myself clear?"

Judd
nodded glumly, but Nat knew he was too good a valet to openly argue. He'd make
his feelings clear in other ways later.

"Judd,
in deference of your aching joints, and your, how shall I put this delicately,
advancing years, you either take my advice and reduce the late nights, or I'll
have to seriously think about a new valet." Nat surmised Judd wouldn't see
sixty again.

Judd
paled.

"Exactly
so," Nat went on inexorably. "Which is something neither of us want.
So please, dear Judd, on those occasions I can manage, let me do so.
 
Don't worry, there will be plenty of times
your help will be needed. Yes?"

"Yes,
my lord. As you say." Judd surreptitiously rubbed the base of his back.
"And it's true my bones aren't what they were. But I will be here to pull
your boots off after Vauxhall and lay out your less formal clothes."

Nat
clapped him on his back. "Good man."

He
reflected on Judd and his determination to serve his master. Old and trusted
retainers were to be revered and respected, and Nat did that. He knew how lucky
he was. Nevertheless he wished Judd would slow down. Mrs. Judd had said not
that long before that their cottage needed more Judd in it, not less. If he had
thought he'd get away with it, Nat would have left Judd in Devon for the few
weeks he'd returned to town. Another visit to Fenniston Hall was on the cards
before much time passed.

However,
not only was he a peer of the realm with a duty to attend to the affairs that
concerned the House of Lords, he was a prospective suitor with a need to attend
to affairs that concerned his prospective bride. The first of which to make
sure she realized he was serious in his wooing.

His
carriage drew up outside his imposing portico, and Nat hurried down the steps
to where a footman held open the door. He hated to keep his horses waiting unnecessarily,
especially when he knew there would more than likely be several times during
the evening where they may have to be walked until their passengers were ready.

He'd
already told his coachman his itinerary, so once he climbed aboard, he rapped on
the roof as a signal to set off. The coach jerked forward and then rumbled over
the cobbles, its excellent springs absorbing the lurches and bumps. Nat sat
back on the swabs, crossed his feet at his ankles, and plotted. Part two of the
pursuit of Tessa was about to begin.

Nat
had led enough men into battle in his time to know you never showed your hand
too early. He had no doubt about what he intended to accomplish and when, and
was determined Tessa would have no prior idea. She hadn't mentioned any of her
presents, but a note asking her to wear her pearls had been delivered to Birch
House earlier that evening. Would she wear them? He honestly had no idea.

He
soon found out. When Mijo, Theo, and Tessa got into the carriage, the pearls in
her ears swung gently against her cheeks. Now he itched to see if she wore
anything around her neck. If she were naked, he would ask her to wear a long
string of perfectly matched pearls that would rest in the hollow between her
breast and lead his eyes downward and... Nat coughed, rearranged his legs to
hide his erection, and looked out of the window.

"We're
almost at the landing stage," he said. Across from him on the other squab,
Mijo and Tessa collected their reticules and fans.

Mijo
looked up at him and smiled. "This is such a treat, Nathaniel. I haven't
been to Vauxhall for an age."

Theo
laughed. "You are a romantic,
ma
coeur
. You like the fireworks."

"And
the candlelit walk."

"Maman."
Tessa rolled her eyes. “You told me they were sadly overrated."

"For
a young, unmarried woman, they must appear to be."

"And
incorrigible," Theo added. "And I love you."

Mijo
put her gloved hand in front of her mouth and laughed. "Of course, I am
French and also the feelings are reciprocated. Nevertheless, to our daughter,
some nooks, crannies, and walks are out of bounds." She stared at Nat.
"And you know this." It was not a question.

He
bowed. "Of course."

"
Mignon
." Theo pressed a kiss to his
wife's cheek. "Do not harass him. He is a gentleman."

Mijo
shook her head. "So were you. Therefore, I know a timely reminder was
expected and thus delivered. Especially"—she turned to Nat—"the new
walk that is so dimly lit you may inadvertently grasp something other than my
daughter's hand."

"Maman."
Tessa didn't know where to put herself. "How mortifying. I'm sure his lordship
would never do such a thing."
She
suspected he would know exactly where he put his hand, be it dark or not.

"Of
course not," Mijo agreed cordially. "Therefore, he will take no offense
at my words. Is that not correct, Nathaniel?"

Nat
bowed over her hand and helped her into the boat that the oarsman held steady.
"As ever you are quite correct. I take no offence at your words. Plus I
never grasp anything I do not mean to, you can be assured of that."

Tessa
bit back a giggle as her maman's eyes narrowed. Her papa had no such inhibitions
and roared with laughter. "
Ma coeur
,
he has you there."

"I
know not what that means," Mijo said. "Nor I think, do I want
to." She got into the boat and sat down firmly in the middle of the
cushioned seat. Theo followed, and they began a rapid conversation in French.

"Maman
forgets we speak French as well as she does," Tessa whispered as Nat
helped her into the boat. "She is not being that complimentary to
you."

"On
the contrary, calling me all male, and one who knows what is what,
is
a compliment," Nat said.
"Note at no time did I say we wouldn't repair to any of the nooks,
crannies, or secluded walks of our choice. And your maman knows that. However,
she trusts me to be circumspect. Your papa trusts I remember he is a superb
swordsman." He settled Tessa facing her parents, positioned himself by her
and nodded to the boatman to cast off. It was only a few seconds before they
were being sculled across the Thames to Vauxhall pleasure gardens.

The
scullers were efficient, the tide cooperative, and within minutes they
approached the water gate to the gardens.

"There
is to be a concert as well as fireworks, and I have bespoke supper so it won't
interfere with our enjoyment of both," Nat said as the boat moored and he
stood up to alight and help the ladies.

"Pity,"
Theo said.

Mijo
nudged him in the ribs. "Behave. The singing will be..." She paused.
"In tune, one hopes." Her eyes twinkled. "It cannot be worse
than at Mrs. Chalmers last week. In fairness the soprano had a pestilent cough,
but I was never more happy to return home."

"Maman,
you hate soirees such as that," Tessa said as once she was on dry land she
shook her skirts out. "Be it a soprano in tune or not. Why you put us all through
them I will never know."

"It
is good for your soul to do things you do not wish to."

Mijo
took Theo's arm, and they led the way along the long, dimly lit avenue between tall
trees that swayed in the gentle breeze.

Tess
took the arm Nat proffered, and they fell in behind the older couple. Nat deliberately
slowed his pace until there was enough distance between each pair that any
conversation wouldn't be overheard. Tessa might guess he had her parents’
blessing to take things forward, but he had no intention of telling her to what
length he had permission to go.

"May
I hope you are wearing my presents?" he said. "As a token to show me
you're taking my intentions seriously?"

Tessa's
hand tightened on his arm, so briefly, that if he were less on his guard, he
could easily have missed it.

"As
I have no idea with regard to your intentions," Tessa said in a tight
voice that he wanted to winkle out of her, "I cannot say."

Nat
stopped dead and tugged her to a halt with him. His temper was not easily
roused, but at that moment he teetered on the edge of either shaking her or
kissing her senseless. Neither of which would be acceptable at the present
time.

He
twisted her around, grabbed both her shoulders, and gave into the temptation of
one short, sharp shake. "I want you under me, over me, and me inside you
in every way possible. Preferably as my wife but if you insist on being
intransigent, in any way I can get you there."

Tessa
gasped, paled, went red, and then licked her lips. Nat doubted she knew how tantalizing
and erotic the gesture was.

"In
your dreams," she said.

"Every
night," Nat agreed. "In yours as well, I hope."

If
it were possible, her blush became even redder.

Interesting? Does that mean she
has dreamed of me?

She
looked anywhere except at him. Nat decided to take pity on her. "Tessa,
this is neither the time or the place to have this conversation in great detail,
but will you at least consider my suit? Let me court you?" He stroked her
cheek and relished the soft skin beneath his fingertip. "Dally a little,
make that sweet and almost innocent love I mentioned?"

Tessa
made a noise somewhere between a moan and a whimper. Nat took it to be an encouraging
sign.

"Well?"

"Ah,
well... I promise to listen. When you do decide it is the time and the
place."

It
was the best he could hope for in the circumstances. He nodded and urged her
forward once more. "Then I will begin my"—he almost said campaign,
but didn't think Tessa would appreciate his courtship so described—"courtship
forthwith. Let's not mention it in front of your parents. I don't want to get
their hopes up."

Tessa
glanced at him, her surprise evident in her expression.

"Or
let them think all is lost," Nat finished. "So instead we'll
hopefully enjoy an evening together."

"Then perhaps you should be
aware of this." Tessa undid her cloak and let the sides part just enough
for Nat to see the long, lustrous string of pearls that looped around her neck
and across her chest and down into her cleavage to rest just above her waist. "These
are from an admirer."

It took his breath away. Was it a
good omen?

****

Several
hours later it looked as if his hopes had come true. After one deep, penetrating
look—the sort, Nat reckoned that would make anyone, including himself
 
own up to whatever misdemeanor you were
accused of—from Mijo and a nod from Theo, who was
au fait
with most, if not all, of Nat's plans, he looked at the
remains of the supper table and stood up.

"May
I ask your daughter if she would like a turn around the gardens?" Nat
looked from Theo to Mijo and ignored Tessa's indrawn breath and hiss.

"Really,
do I not have a say in the matter?" Tessa asked. "I actually have a
mind and voice of my own, and the capability to assimilate and digest
information and requests."

"Yes,
dear." Mijo patted her arm. "And don't we know it. However." She
put her hand over Tessa's mouth. "We don't need to hear them. His lordship
is perfectly correct to ask our permission, as you well understand." She moved
her hand from Tessa's mouth, waggled her finger, and Tessa looked somewhat
ashamed for, Nat thought, all of two seconds.

Then
Tessa put her own hand over her mouth and shook her head. "True, Maman,
but why do I feel I'm just a pawn in the game?"

"I
know not," Mijo said. "My lord, if you really want to ask my
hoydenish daughter to accompany you, I wish you joy."

"Oh,
I wish." Nat turned to where Tessa sat bolt upright, her eyes bright with
what he thought was anger. She tapped one finger on the table, and he eyed it
warily. Ladies’ fingers were notorious for poking pesky gentlemen in their
stomachs.

"My
lady, would you do me the honor of a stroll toward the pavilion yonder?"
He indicated in the direction of the Chinese Pagoda. "We'll meet up with
your maman and papa back here in time for the fireworks."

"Then
of course I agree. A stroll would be most pleasant." Tessa rose and let Nat
place her cloak around her shoulders. She picked up her reticule and her fan.