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Louisa shook her head with a distressed look. “No. He stopped writing me over a year ago.”
“I will speak with the duke tomorrow.”
“Here he comes now,” Emma said, and then added, “Langport, not the duke, of course. And he’s bringing her over to introduce us.”
One look told Tessa exactly why he would have fallen in love with her. With light caramel skin, dark hair, and large brown eyes, her exotic looks would bring any man to his knee. As they approached, she smiled up at him.
“Lady Stanhope,” Langport said with a smile as he reached them. “Please allow me to introduce my wife, Sabita. Darling, this is a dear friend of my father’s and mine, Lady Stanhope, and her sisters, Miss Drake and Miss Emma Drake.”
“It is my pleasure to meet such fine people,” Sabita said lightly. “I do hope we can become friends.”
Tessa smiled at the woman who had no idea what she had gotten herself into by marrying Langport. The duke had sent his son off to India to halt his rakish ways. “I would like that too.”
“Harry, I would very much like to walk about the room with Lady Stanhope,” Lady Langport declared.
It was one thing for Langport to introduce them but another for Tessa to take a turn about the room with his new wife. “My lord, that might not be such a good idea.”
His dark brown brows furrowed into a scowl. “You too, Lady Stanhope? I would have thought that you’d take no issue with my wife.”
She shook her head. “It is not that. You have no idea of the gossip attached to my name after Stanhope’s untimely death. I fear befriending your wife would only bring more gossip down on her.”
Lady Langport held out her arm. “And that is exactly why we should walk the room together, Lady Stanhope. If they are already talking about me, how will I ever find out why they are talking about you? It is up to you to tell me. Besides, I am a marchioness so I outrank you. Therefore, you must do as I say.”
Tessa laughed. “I do believe we may come to be very good friends.” She linked her arm with Lady Langport. “But you must call me Tessa.”
“And I insist you call me Sabita.” She led them away from Tessa’s sisters along the perimeter of the room. “Now exactly why do people talk about you?”
Tessa told Sabita about her husbands’ deaths and the curse over her head.
“I am not certain I would call that a curse. You are a widow now with a fortune. You are not beholden to any man. Many women in India would call that luck, not a curse.”
As they were halfway across the room, Tessa finally noticed Jack standing at the threshold, scanning the room. “Sabita, may I call on you tomorrow? I just noticed someone I have been looking for and must speak to him before he leaves.”
“He?” she said with a giggle. “Yes, you may call on me but only if you tell me all about this man you must talk with.”
“Of course. Thank you.”
Tessa pushed her way through the crush to get to Jack but thankfully, he finally noticed her position. She slowed her steps and waited for him.
“Good evening, Lady Stanhope,” he said with a quick bow.
“And to you, Mr. Raynerson. I do hope you are well tonight.”
“Very well, now. Did you save a dance for me?” he asked, leaning slightly closer to her as if to inhale her scent.
“Yes,” she replied in a breathy tone. Just having him so near sent butterflies to her belly. It had only been a few days but she wanted him back in her bed. How horrid would it be if they sneaked off for a quick kiss...or maybe more.
“Tessa, darling, you are a dreadful actress.”
“Why do you say that?”
He smiled down at her and then whispered in her ear. “Because I know exactly what you are thinking. And while I would love to take you right here, we shall just have to suffer through a few dances before I take you home and make love to you all night.”
Tessa’s cheeks heated. “What exactly will you do?” she asked softly so no one else might hear.
“You are very naughty, darling. I might have to spank you. Or even tie you to the bed before I kiss every inch of your delectable body.”
Her knees almost buckled with the idea of being tied to the bed while he made love to her. “I need a refreshment.”
