The Cursed Countess (The Daring Drake Sisters 1)

“I called for tea,” she said, unable to think of what else to say to the man.

“Excellent, I am parched.” He looked about the room intently as if memorizing every detail. “Since we had so little time to talk last night, I thought we should learn more about each other.”

“For what purpose, sir?” she asked, far more primly than she had wanted. But she truly had no experience playing the flirtatious widow. She’d never even learned to be a flirtatious wife. After her first two marriages, she returned to her mother’s home. If she were ever to take a lover, she would need to be bolder.

He tilted his head slightly and smiled again. “Indeed, what reason would two people wish to learn more about each other? Why, to gain a new friendship, of course.”

Friendship? Why would such a handsome man be in need of a friend? There was only one reason she could imagine and the idea of him wanting her seemed strange indeed. “Of course.”

“To determine compatibility, is also a good reason.”

“I agree. I should so hate to think of you as a friend if we are not like-minded.” Tessa wondered what his true reason was...there was far more to him than he was letting her see. Again, he seemed to scan the room as if memorizing every detail of the furnishings. Could he be attempting to determine their worth...her worth? She truly knew nothing of the man. Before she could decide if he should be her first lover, she must discover more about him.

“True, but there are other reasons for compatibility.” He cleared his throat. “After all, you are a lonely widow...and I am a lonely man.”

Tessa laughed nervously. “I highly doubt you are a lonely man, Mr. Raynerson.”

His brows rose slightly. “You have no idea just how lonely I am.”

She couldn’t look away from his penetrating gaze. What would it be like to take a man in his prime to bed? She fisted her hands to keep them from quaking. A sharp knock on the door broke her musing.

“Tea, my lady.” Instead of a footman, Roberts entered the room with a silver tray. He gave Mr. Raynerson a look of warning. “Would you like me to pour, ma’am?”

“No, thank you, Roberts.”

“As you wish.” He backed out of the room slowly, never taking his gaze off Raynerson.

Tessa concentrated on pouring the tea without spilling. She felt like a young miss again entertaining her first suitor. He seemed to be watching her every movement. “Milk?”

“Yes, but no sugar.”

She glanced up at him with a smile. “That is exactly how I take my tea too.”

“There now, something in common already.” He sipped his tea and then nodded. “Excellent tea.”

“Thank you.” She sipped hers before speaking again. “The duke’s son sends over tea from their estate in India. It is a custom blend only for family...and close friends.”

“How nice that you are such close friends with the duke.” His brows

furrowed. “I’d hoped to discover if you are returning to your mourning period now that your sister’s ball is over.”

“Why would you wish to know?”

“It was a self-serving question to be honest. I have an invitation to the Marshalls’ musicale tonight. He is my godfather so it is expected that I will attend. Since it is usually an excruciatingly painful evening of their daughters attempting to display their talent, I would love some company.”

“Oh? You wish to share a painful experience then?”

He laughed soundly. “Misery loves company and all that...I was hoping to have someone next to me who might take my mind off the agony.”

Tessa’s mouth gaped. Was he truly asking her to accompany him, unescorted by her mother or sister? Was this how widows were courted? Before she could talk herself out of it, she blurted out, “Yes, I would love to attend.”

A slow smile brought his molded lips upward. He placed his cup on the tray and bowed to her. “Until tonight, then. I shall arrive here at seven.”

Tessa had no idea what to say as he walked out of the room. But with every step he took away from her, the urge to call him back to her became stronger. She wanted to feel the charged sensation that filled the room when he was near.

She wanted to know what his kisses would feel like...what he would feel like.

CHAPTER 5