“Yes, Papa!” they said in unison. They both pushed back their chairs and started running out of the room.
“Girls!” his mother shouted. “A lady never runs.”
“Yes, Grandmamma.” They both slowed their step to a fast walk that wasn’t much slower than their run.
Once they were out of earshot, his mother leaned over. “I had a letter from Lady Stephens three days ago, informing me that you were seen in the company of Lady Stanhope. Please tell me that is just a rumor, Jack.”
“Not a rumor, but truth, ma’am.”
“Dear Lord, Jack. What were you doing with her? She might have poisoned you.” His mother reached across the table and gripped his hand. “Please tell me it’s over.”
“It is definitely done, Mother. She never wants to see me again.”
His mother tilted her head with a frown. “She never wants to see you? I would have thought it was the other way around.”
“No, I hurt her and she will not even speak to me.”
She released her clasp on his hand and reached for her tea. “Well, I am quite certain it’s for the best, then.”
“No, it isn’t for the best at all.”
CHAPTER 24
Tessa spent the next day working out the details of her travels. Having never ventured outside of the country, the specifics were overwhelming her. Her new maid had started this morning and so far, Tessa found her to be an excellent lady’s maid, especially with hair. Placing her quill back into the ink, she then wrote, “Find a place to stay.” Perhaps whomever Lady Leicester recommended would have more experience at traveling than Tessa.
Hearing a woman’s voice at the entrance, Tessa capped her ink and wiped her quill before placing her papers in her desk. Roberts knocked on the door to her study. “Come in.”
“Lady Leicester is here, ma’am. I have put her in the receiving salon and ordered tea. She told me not to bother, but I assumed you would like some tea and biscuits.”
“Thank you, Roberts. I will be there presently.” She rose and checked her appearance in the mirror over the mantle before heading to the salon. Hopefully, Lady Leicester had a list of candidates to review with her.
“Lady Leicester, how lovely to see you,” she said as she entered the room. She gave the older woman a quick curtsy before moving toward a chair.
“There is no time for sitting, my dear. I told Roberts to have Marianne to pack your valise and then your trunks. We should hurry.”
“Countess, I have no idea to what you are referring.”
“You wanted a companion and now you have one. I shall
accompany you to Venice or where ever else you might decide to go.” She smiled brightly at Tessa. “It has been far too long since I have traveled much of anywhere with these blasted wars. But now we are at peace and I should travel before it is too late.”
Tessa’s mind whirled. “But you don’t even like me!”
“Bosh, you and are I are very much alike, Tessa. May I call you Tessa?”
“I believe you already have, my lady.”
“Excellent. And you should call me Regina.”
“What about your grandson?” What would Jack think about her gallivanting around the continent with his grandmother?
Regina laughed. “I doubt he will care. After all, he is the one who tossed you in Newgate without a thought. Now go on and get your pelisse. We shall stop at the estate, as I need to get a few things in order before we leave. It should only take a few days there and then we shall head for Portsmouth and an adventure to fill the rest of our lives with wonderful memories.”
How could she say no to that? She had to admit, the idea of having someone travel with her who knew a little more about the process than she did would be an asset. And Regina seemed to know exactly what to do in every situation.
“I need to write a note to my mother before we leave.”
“Of course,” Regina said with a wave of her hand. “Go on, then.”