The Cursed Countess (The Daring Drake Sisters 1)

“Just milk, please.”

After handing the cup to Tessa, the dowager reclined in her seat and tapped her index finger against her lips. “Hmm, I suppose I can come up with a list of people. The woman I used last year has gone and married a man twice her age. It’s just as well, we did not suit as she deemed it necessary to treat me like an invalid.”

“A list would do nicely, my lady.”

“As you wish, I will draw one up and deliver it to you tomorrow.” She sipped her tea and then smiled over at Tessa. “I heard you let your maid go. I have a girl here who might do nicely for you. I only kept her in case any guests arrived without a maid. But at my age, I receive few overnight guests. I can only assume they fear to awaken and find me dead.”

“Your ladyship,” Tessa said all but choking on her tea. “You shouldn’t say such things.”

“Why ever not? At my age, I would rather speak the truth and shock people than lie to make everyone happy.”

Tessa put her cup down and rose. “I must take my leave. Thank you for the tea and I look forward to seeing your list of possible companions.”

“Before you leave, one question, my dear.” The dowager waited until Tessa stopped walking to continue. “Do you plan on admitting my grandson into your home so he can apologize?”

“No, ma’am, I do not.”

CHAPTER 23

Jack sat at the desk shuffling through his assorted bills. Keeping Tessa out of harm’s way in prison came at quite a price. The payment from Fairchild would barely cover the two personal guards and meals. Then there was the bribe to the warden in order to get her a private cell and cot with lice free blankets. Worst of it all was the bribe to the magistrate to not give in to the duke’s request to release her. All in, he would not make a penny off this case.

“Sir, your grandmother is here.” The butler grunted as Jack’s grandmother elbowed him out of her way.

“He can see that, Bentley. Now bring us some tea and brandy.”

His diminutive grandmother strode into the room like a hurricane. He rose and bowed to her. “Good afternoon, Grandmamma. What brings you here?”

“You, of course.” She sat down on the leather seat across from him and crossed her arms over her chest. “When are you leaving for Devon?”

“I haven’t decided.” Jack returned to his seat. “Would you like to drive down together?”

“No, you should leave now. I feel it in my bones that child will arrive soon and you need to be there for your brother in case there are any complications. I have a few business items I must finish before I go down.”

Jack tilted his head. “Then it makes sense for me to wait until your business is finished and we will drive in your carriage. Besides, I would like to attempt to see Lady Stanhope before I leave to apologize.”

“There is no need to bother there, young man. I spoke with the lady earlier and she told me quite bluntly that she would never receive you in her home again.”

He closed his eyes for a long moment. “Why did you see her?”

“She came to me looking for a recommendation for a companion. Apparently, she has decided to travel.”

Pain shot to his heart. She would never forgive him or even listen to his apology. The idea of never seeing her again twisted his heart. “Where is she going?”

“It matters not. I don’t believe she wanted me running to you with this information. She wants to be left alone for a while.”

After all he’d put her through, he would do just that. No matter how much it pained him, he would let her go. He would take his grandmother’s advice and retire to Devon and be with Neville. And he wouldn’t think of Tessa.

If only he could believe the lie he tried telling himself.

~*~

A few days of traveling and mourning his break with Tessa had almost broken him. By the time he reached his brother’s home, he needed to be around family. It felt wonderful to be around his older brother. The physician had confined Georgiana to her bed until the babe decided to make his arrival, giving Neville nothing to do but wait. Keeping his brother’s mind off the waiting forced Jack to think of something other than Tessa.

“I am telling you it’s a boy,” Jack said before finishing his second brandy.

“Girl.” Neville filled Jack’s glass and then his own before returning to his seat. “She is carrying just like Sadie and Winnie. She had the same issues with sickness all day long. It’s another girl.”

“Time will tell.”