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‘Oh, hush, Miss Ellery, he is co over’

Matthew Tempest had, it seemed, recovered his temper, or at least his co about hiht as he strolled over to their sofa

‘May I fetch you ladies a glass of Madeira? Or sherry, perhaps? Ratafia?’

‘Nothing, thank you,’ Tess said as the door opened and Alex came in

‘Miss Ellery, Mrs White, forgive ht, how you have changed’

‘Hardly surprising, given that I was fifteen when you walked out on the fa hands, let alone e, Tess noticed ‘I had expected quite the court card, if not a fop’ There was reluctant admiration in Matthew’s expression, Tess realised Or perhaps envy ‘Tell me, who is your tailor? Weston?’

‘Of course’ Alex’s se off the words His clothing was so plain as to be almost austere He wore black and white, his shirtfront with barely a ruffle, his only ornalio seal ring and the glow of the aet up to town much?’

‘No’ Matthew’s voice was sulky ‘I’m kept tied to this place, at Father’s beck and call’

‘He is sick after all I have no doubt you’re a help to him’

‘Ha! He’s got perfectly good stewards and agents, but nothing will satisfy hier in every pie, read every report, send me out to check on this and that, and then what I tell hi, or too short in soain’

Tess felt a twinge of reluctant sy with ioing to be good enough ‘What would you prefer to be doing, Mr Tempest?’ she asked him

He shrugged, then seeuest and a lady and took the sullen look off his face ‘Breed hunters Hunt’