“How you holding up?”
“Having the girls with me helped, now it’s up to you to take my mind off what it happening upstairs.”
Jack laughed. “Well, I am not about to sit on your lap, Nev.”
“Please don’t.”
Jack stopped laughing and looked over at his brother. “Perhaps you can help with a decision I need to make. I believe it’s time I hang my shingle.”
“Indeed? What has brought this about? You said you hated the law.”
“Hate might have been too strong a word. After working in the investigation field, I realized that I could help more people if I represented them in court.” Jack shrugged. “And the money would help.”
“So what really brought about this change of heart?” Neville stared over at him. “A woman, perhaps?”
Neville’s perception hit the mark. “Perhaps. She made me realize that we had no future not only because of what I had done but because I’m almost thirty years old and have nothing to my name.”
“Oh no, I can guarantee it had everything to do with what you did to me and not your lack of funds.”
Jack glanced over at the threshold and almost dropped his glass of brandy into his lap. “Tessa,” he whispered.
“Well, didn’t this just take my mind off my wife’s labor,” Neville said as he rose and gave her a quick bow. “Lady Stanhope, welcome to Torridge Hall. I must apologize for not greeting you when you arrived but my brother and I were riding. When I returned I was only told you had retired.”
She gave him a quick curtsy as she held her dressing robe closed near her neck. “I must also apologize. Even as tired as I am, I find I cannot sleep. I only came down to look for something to read. I did not mean to interrupt either of you.”
“A woman’s labor will do that,” Neville said before looking back at Jack. “I believe you are already acquainted with my rude brother who hasn’t yet realized there is a lady standing in the threshold.”
Jack blinked still in shock at the sight of Tessa in his brother’s home. His heart pounded in his chest with the sight of her. He rose and gave her a quick bow as she curtsied to him. “What are you doing here?”
“Lady Stanhope, please sit down and feel free to ignore my dreadfully rude brother,” Neville said. “Would you like a brandy?”
“Thank you, yes. Perhaps that will help me sleep.” She walked into the room but scanned the study as if checking for a quick escape route.
“Tessa, what are you doing here?” Jack asked again.
She laughed scornfully as she sat in the chair closest to the door. “Apparently, I am your grandmother’s companion even though I was the one looking for a traveling companion.”
“A traveling companion? Were you planning a trip?” Neville handed her the snifter of brandy.
“To Venice. I contacted your grandmother for information on hiring a companion. She arrived at my door a few days ago stating she was now my companion but needed to finish some business at the estate before we could leave for the continent. She packed me into her carriage before I could reject her offer and we arrived today.
“I had no idea we were traveling to your home, my lord. I assumed she meant a dower home one of her husbands had left her. If I had known....” Her voice trailed off as she slid a glance toward Jack.
“I can only assume you would never have agreed to her plan had you known,?
?? Jack added caustically.
“I hadn’t much choice in the matter. She can be quite forceful for such a small woman.”
“Of course, my grandmother is the sole reason you are here,” he said before sipping his brandy again.
She glared over at him. “Well, I am certainly not here to see you.”
“Why would you? You couldn’t manage to even let me in your home to apologize when we were in London.” He plucked his glass from the table and swallowed the rest of his brandy in one long gulp.
“Enough, Jack. Lady Stanhope is a guest and will be treated as such while she is here.” His brother drained his glass and then stood. “I believe I shall allow you some privacy to talk.”
“No, please don’t,” Tessa said rising out of her seat. “You need your brother to keep your mind off what is happening. I shall retire.”