I'm so sorry for the time it took me to upload this next chapter. Nearly two months! But oh, the two months it's been. I've done everything from perform songs to going on dates to watching every season of Supernatural catching up just barely in time for the finale. I've done everything but write! So here is, finally, the next chapter, and I really do hope you like it.
"I have got to admit, your cook is excellent."
This was the first thing Tessa had heard from Will since his arrival.
"I shall deliver the compliment," she replied swiftly.
"Not nearly good as ours, though," Katherine added. "Such a talented woman, she is."
Will smiled and nodded politely, continuing to chew.
Everything felt so awkward! At least to her. And he really did seem happy, Will. She had missed his smile. Jem made a remark about the beautiful weather and did he smile. Jem never failed to make him smile. But it was Katherine who made him laugh, now.
The conversation proceeded to news of Henry and Charlotte's wonderful child, which she had not much to contribute to. She hadn't visited London is so long. Her current excuse being she was busy running the new estate, and as were the nature of excuses, they were running out. Truth was simply it hurt her to watch Will be as happy as he is with someone else. It was twisted. Demented. But it was true.
Dinner past quickly and before she knew it they were finishing dessert, a lovely lemon meringue pie that was simply exquisite. She wished she could have another piece as she would had it been simply her and Jem, yet with company it would have probably been considered impolite.
Which is exactly why Will insisted to have another piece.
"Just one more, thank you," he claimed, and as he ate he looked around and asked, "well aren't any of you going to save me from the misery of eating alone?" And so Tessa requested a piece as well, recommending that Jem and Katherine sit in the drawing room while they wait. The two obliged and Tessa was left alone with Will.
"Mmm," Will exclaimed in satisfaction. "That was extremely well prepared pie."
He eyed her as she swallowed the last bite of her last piece. "Shall we walk to the drawing room?" Tessa inquired.
"My dear Tessa, you have barely spoken a word all dinner, would you mind talking to me shortly before we go back to the drawing room? You know how I despise polite conversation, and yet Katherine thrives on it. I do not have the heart to deny it from her when I am near, but perhaps we could take a break and sit, talk. How have you been? We haven't seen each other since – well, since my wedding."
She obliged to sit, but resigned to say nothing of import. It was not his job to know her heart, but Jem's. "Well, I've been rather busy learning how to run an estate. But it is so exciting! The cooking and the cleaning and taking care of everything. I have simply been so busy!"
Will looked concerned. "Have you been reading at all?" he asked.
"Not as much as I'd like to," she admitted. "Have you?"
"Why yes, quite a lot recently," he answered. His eyes were shining as he told her about a marvelous new story he'd read, absolutely fantastic, promising to lend it to her through Jem if she were interested. She agreed to the exchange, promising that in return, when she is done reading, she will send another book with Jem so he can read it.
The clock struck nine and she jumped, realizing they had spent nearly half an hour speaking. "We never went back to the drawing room!" she exclaimed, horrified.
"I'm quite sure it is fine," Will laughed, "relax! There is no cause for alarm. Breathe."
And so Tessa relaxed and hurried with him to the drawing room. Katherine stood, flushed, apparently startled by Tessa's hasty entrance. She calmed quickly when she saw Will enter behind her merely seconds later, suggesting that it is time to leave. Will agreed and before Tessa knew it, they were departing into the rain.
That's it for this time, but don't worry, there's plenty interesting coming on later...
