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‘Good,’ Dorcas muttered, her eyes on the back of the liveried footlad we have an escort, this place is huge’

The footman stopped, opened a pair of double doors ‘The Green Salon, ma’am’

Tess took in a breath down to her toes I can do this

‘Ah, good evening, ladies’ Lady Moreland held out one hand, gloved to the elbow in lavender kid ‘Do coer son Matthew, Miss Ellery, Mrs White’

‘Mr Tempest’ Tess inclined her head to the man who stood on the other side of the fireplace She could see the reseh he was shorter and stockier, but he had none of Alex’s elegance or air of sophistication He looked, she thought, sulky

‘I will leave Matthew to keep you company for a few moments while I make sure my husband has all he requires I know you will excuse hi in his chamber’ Lady Moreland shared a brittle smile between them and left the room

‘Miss Ellery Absolutely charaze flickered over her figure, lingered on the bare skin exposed by the neckline of her sieal She was not used to wearing anything so revealing and she was certainly not used to being ogled Occasionally she caught a gleam of masculine awareness in Alex’s eyes when they rested on her—more than occasionally, if she were to be honest—but not this blatant assessment ‘A bore for you to be landed with my brother’s company,’ he added

‘You think so, Mr Tempest? Lord Weybourn has been all that is kind’

‘He is hardly a ladies’remark

‘He is, however, a gentleritted teeth would allow

The laugh this time was a trifle forced Not such a fool, Matthew Tenise an insult when it was offered ‘No doubt you feel very safe with him’

Tess stared at hi smirk He didn’t e to box his ears and lowered her lashes coyly instead ‘As safe as a lady wishes to feel with a handsoentleman’

His jaw dropped and she strolled away to where Dorcas had perched on one end of a sofa ‘That poisonous little toad,’ Tess whispered as she sat down beside her ‘He is jealous of his brother’