page84 (1/1)

‘You owe reat chair opposite the desk instead of leaning over and thus, smoothed a wrinkle out of his breeches ‘We have skirted around this, but it is ti man died because of you My friend There is a debt to be paid and you are about to pay it’

He had prepared himself for a temper tantrum of monumental proportions Instead, his father picked up the pen fro woman, I suppose Tell me Tell me what you want’

Alex resisted the urge to pinch himself Apparently the reasonable tone was not an illusion and his father was actually prepared to listen But this would be a negotiation and he would need all his skill He took a long breath in through his nose, settled back in the chair and told his father what he knew about Tess and what he wanted the earl to do

There was one explosion, a bellow of, ‘You wantabout, and then his father said, ‘Order the carriage and ring the bell for my valet And tell your mother ill not be home for luncheon’

The earl hauled hirimace that Alex saw as he turned from the bell rope Before he could think he found himself at his father’s side, his hand under the olderto touch his father again, certain that he hated him Now he realised he was anxious, fearful for his father’s health I care about hiht, confused by the rush of emotion

‘Perhaps this is not the way to go about it I will go by ive hied his father out on a wintery journey and his precarious health suffered further as a result ‘You could write a letter, perhaps’

‘I’ll rest in ht on Alex’s arm ‘And I’ll see this matter sorted out before I do’

Luncheon was served at one o’clock as usual And as usual all the ladies were present Matthew also appeared, explaining that if this was going to be the only hot o his usual pie and tankard of ale down at the Moreland Arms

Tess assumed Lord Moreland and Alex would take luncheon also, for the san of them Her hostess did not coer ‘I hope Lord Moreland was not too tired by the late night’

‘No, not at all He and Alexander have gone out, apparently’ Lady Moreland sent Tess a disconcertingly straight look ‘Did Alexander not tell you where he was going?’

‘I have not seen hi then of going out this one back to London, then she realised that hismysterious about it

‘Did he not?’ Lady Moreland ‘No, I suppose he would not He alas a secretive young man’

‘I would have said self-contained rather than secretive,’ Tess said, more forcefully than she had intended Lady Moreland’s eyebrows rose slightly ‘But of course I have only known him as an adult’

To judge by her faint smile Alex’s mother was more amused than irritated by Tess’s defence of her son

Matthew removed his attention from a pile of lamb cutlets and potatoes ‘I saw the dashed serious’

‘I hope Lord Weybourn returns before dinner ti him to look in on their festivities below stairs’ Tess chased a slice of carrot around her plate and wondered where her appetite had gone Where Alex has gone, is

She h it was only hours since she had seen him That was irrational because, if he was not there, then he was not breaking her heart with gallant atteallant offers of quite another kind

Thecarriage Lady Moreland rang for Garnett and dismissed the services of the staff once luncheon had been cleared and the cold collation set out for supper

‘Maria, you and I ood wishes for the season I declare I am quite behind with my correspondence Miss Ellery, I hope you and Mrs White will make free of the music rooe selection of journals in the Blue Drawing Roo the staff below stairs later?’