The Cursed Countess (The Daring Drake Sisters 1)

“Why don’t you join us, Tessa?” Jack had no idea why he made the insane suggestion. Since she had entered the room, he’d barely taken his gaze off her.

“I am not sure that is wise,” she said softly.

“Your company would be most welcome,” Neville commented. “A lady’s point of view on this waiting ritual might be nice for a change. After all, Jack has been in this position two other times and I grow rather tired of his baseless opinions on childbirth.”

“I am not quite sure how much I can contribute since I have no children,” Tessa replied and then slowly returned to her seat.

“Perhaps not, but you are still better company than my brother,” Neville said with a smile.

“Why are you planning to travel now?” Jack asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“I am sure you must know,” she answered. “After all that has happened to my family, I felt it would do me good to get away. I just hadn’t expected your grandmother to be my companion.”

“You could stay and face the gossip as you have every other time,” he countered.

“I lost a dear friend,” she said with a grimace. “Perhaps I need some time to mourn.”

“Or forget,” he muttered.

“Forgetting all that you did would be welcome indeed, Raynerson. Unfortunately, I doubt I shall be able to forget sitting in a prison cell.” She stood again just as his mother entered the room.

“Lady Bideford,” Tessa said with a quick curtsy.

“Lady Stanhope, I had no idea you were here,” his mother replied with a frown. “When did you arrive?”

Neville quickly interrupted the tense conversation, explaining how Tessa had arrived here.

“Regina’s companion? How unlucky for you, my dear. She will talk your ear off about things that happened years ago.” She turned toward Jack with a smile. “But alas, with all this commotion, I almost forgot why I came in the room. Jack dear, you won the wager.”

“The wager? The wager!”

“I have a son?” Neville whispered with tears in his eyes as he stared at their mother.

“Yes, my dear. Congratulations, your heir has finally arrived. Georgiana is tired and a little weak but otherwise fine. She would like to introduce you to your son.”

“Thank you,” he mumbled before racing out of the room.

“I’ll be expecting my winnings in the morning,” Jack called after him.

“I believe I should retire now,” Tessa said looking uncomfortable.

“I will escort you to your room.” Jack placed his glass on the table and then rose from his chair.

“There is no need. I can find my way.” She gave him and his mother a nod and turned on her heels.

“Goodnight, Mother,” Jack said as he followed behind Tessa. She might not want an escort but they were going in the same direction.

“I told you that I don’t need an escort,” she complained as she reached the stairs.

“I am retiring, Tessa. So we are both going in the same direction. There is nothing more to it than that.”

“Humph,” she grumbled, climbing each step quickly as if to get away from him as swiftly as she could. She turned right at the top of the steps and he followed her. “Go to bed, Jack.”

“That is where I am going.”

She stopped and glared back at him. “Well, now I know you are lying because the footman told me the west wing is the family’s wing.”

“Exactly,” he said taking another step closer to her. “My brother, my mother and grandmother. I stay on this side because while I am family, this is Neville’s home now. Besides, I always liked the view from this room better.” He motioned to the door to his right.