“Calling on Lady Colchester,” Louisa said as she removed her bonnet and handed it to the footman. “Is it true, then?”
“Is what true?”
Emma grabbed Tessa’s hand and dragged her into the receiving salon. Louisa followed and closed the door behind them. Once Emma released her, Tessa sat on the settee while her sisters took chairs across from her.
“Did an investigator actually call on you this morning to find out if you had poisoned Lady Langport?” Emma asked excitedly.
Oh Lord, it was out in the gossip rounds already. How was it possible that someone could know that news already? Jack wouldn’t have said a word. It had to be that despicable constable, Downing. “Yes, a constable stopped by and asked me what I knew about last night.”
“I don’t understand, Tessa,” Louisa commented. “She was fine when we left the Duke’s home so why would an investigator come to see you?”
Tessa lowered her voice to a mere whisper. “They believe someone poisoned her. Langport told the man that they had stopped by my home before they returned to their home last night.”
“Why would they have paid a call at that hour?” Emma questioned.
“Sabita wanted to apologize for what she’d said about Mr. Raynerson. Then she said she wasn’t feeling well and they left.” Every time Tessa thought about last night, her stomach roiled. Sabita had already been poisoned when she saw her.
Emma’s blue eyes widened. “Is it true about you and Mr. Raynerson?”
“Emma,” Louisa scolded. “You should never ask such questions.”
“But she is our sister so we have a right to know,” Emma said with a pout. “As long as you are not going to tell me about Mr. Raynerson, I will go get a bite of luncheon so I am not ravenous at the ball tonight.”
As soon Emma closed the door behind her, Louisa jumped out of her seat and sat down next to Tessa. “You and Mr. Raynerson? How is that?”
“You just admonished Emma for asking the same thing!”
“She’s still a child,” Louisa retorted with a laugh. “Now tell me.”
For the first time all day, Tessa laughed. “Yes, but not a word to Emma or anyone else. And he’s wonderful but I fear it is now over.”
“Why?”
“I cannot have my name bantered about with his. You and Emma need every opportunity to find a match.”
Louisa rolled her eyes. “I am so tired of everyone trying to find me a husband. I believe I am bound for spinsterhood.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“I honestly don’t know any longer, Tessa. There is no one that makes me think a compatible marriage is possible.” Louisa paused and stared at her hands. “Perhaps I made a mistake by rejecting Blakely. At least he would have been a kind husband and given me a family to love.”
“Compatible? You should marry for love,” Tessa cried. “I married for compatibility and title and money, and it was the worst decision of my life.” And now her heart was breaking because she might never see Jack again. Maybe compatibility made more sense.
“There is no one I see myself married to, Tessa. Not a single man in Society.”
“There will be someone perfect for you. I just know it.” Was Jack her perfect match? She doubted that but she desperately wanted to see him just one more time. Even if she knew she shouldn’t.
CHAPTER 19
“Thank you for seeing me, Miss Harte,” Jack said as Tessa’s maid sat at the table in servants’ quarters. Roberts had made
sure all the other servants were upstairs working so they could speak in private. “Mr. Roberts is right here so you mustn’t feel uncomfortable.”
“I don’t, Mr. Raynerson. You seem like a good man,” Anne said quietly.
“Mr. Roberts told me you were employed by the Duke of Worthington before you came into Lady Stanhope’s service, is that right?”
Anne nodded. “Yes, sir. After Lady Daphne married, she decided to use her late mother-in-law’s maid. The duke suggested I work for Lady Stanhope, well she was Miss Drake then, and engaged to Baron Langley.”