"Darling . . . " Henry touched Charlottes arm with a quizzical look on his face.
She looked up at him in surprise. "Yes?"
"Youre sure you dont want me to come with you?"
Charlotte smiled at him, a smile that transformed her tired, pinched face.
"Quite sure, Henry; Jem isnt technical y an adult, and to leave him here alone -not that he isnt capable-wil only add fuel to Benedicts fire of complaints.
But thank you. "
Tessa looked at Jem; he gave her a regretful smile and, hidden behind the spread of her skirts, pressed her hand with his. His touch sent a warm rush of reassurance through her, and she rose to her feet, amid Will rising to go, while Charlotte sought for a pen to scribble a note to Benedict on the back of a flossed call ing card, which Cyril would deliver while they waited in the carriage.
"Id best fetch my hat and gloves," Tessa whispered to Jem, and made her way to the door. Will was just behind her, and a moment later, the drawing room door swinging shut behind them, they found themselves alone in the corridor. Tessa was about to hurry down the hal toward her room, when she heard Will s footsteps behind her.
"Tessa!" he called, and she swung around. "Tessa, I need to speak with you. "
"Now?" she said, surprised. "I gathered from Charlotte that she wanted us to hurry-"
"Damn hurrying," said Will, coming closer to her. "Damn Benedict Lightwood and the Institute and all this business. I want to talk to you. " He grinned at her. There had always been a reckless energy to him, but this was different-the difference between the recklessness of despair
and the abandonment of happiness. But what an odd time to be happy!
"Have you gone quite mad?" she asked him. "You say demon pox the way someone else might say massive surprise inheritance. Are you real y that pleased?"
"Vindicated, not happy, and anyway, this isnt about the demon pox. This is about you and me-"
The drawing room door opened, and Henry emerged, Charlotte just behind him. Knowing Jem would be next, Tessa stepped away from Will hastily, though nothing improper had transpired between them at all. Except in your thoughts, said a little voice in the back of her mind, which she ignored. "Will, not now," she said under her breath. "I believe I know what it is you want to say, and youre quite right to wish to say it, but this isnt the time or place, is it? Believe me, I am as eager for the talk as you, for it has been weighing heavily on my mind-"
"You are? It has?" Will looked dazed, as if she had hit him with a rock.
"Wel -yes," said Tessa, looking up to see Jem coming toward them. "But not now. "
Will fol owed her gaze, swal owed, and nodded reluctantly. "Then, when?"
"Later, after we go to the Lightwoods. Meet me in the drawing room. "
"In the drawing room?"
She frowned at him. "Real y, Will," she said. "Are you going to repeat everything I say?"
Jem had reached them, and heard this last remark; he grinned. "Tessa, do let poor Will gather his wits about him; hes been out all night and looks as if he can barely remember his own name. " He put his hand on his parabatais arm. "Come along, Herondale. You seem as if you need an energy rune-or two or three. "
Will tore his eyes away from Tessas and let Jem lead him off down the corridor. Tessa watched them, shaking her head. Boys, she thought. She would never understand them.
Tessa had gone only a few steps into her bedroom when she stopped in surprise, staring at what was on the bed. A stylish walking suit of cream and gray striped India silk, trimmed with delicate braid and silver buttons. Gray velvet gloves lay beside it, figured with a pattern of leaves in silver thread. At the foot of the bed were bone-colored buttoned boots, and fashionable patterned stockings.
The door opened, and Sophie came in, holding a pale gray hat with trimmings of silver berries. She was very pale, and her eyes were swol en and red. She avoided Tessas gaze. "New clothing, miss," Sophie said. "The fabric was part of Mrs. Branwel s trousseau, and, well, a few weeks ago she thought of having it made into a dress for you. I think she thought you ought to have some clothes that Miss Jessamine didnt buy for you. She thought it might make you more-comfortable. And these were just delivered this morning. I asked Bridget to lay them out for you. "
Tessa felt tears sting the backs of her eyes and sat down hastily on the edge of the bed. The thought that Charlotte, with everything else that was going on, would think of Tessas comfort at all made her want to cry. But she stifled the urge, as she always did. "Sophie," she said, her voice uneven. "I ought-no, I wanted-to apologize to you. "
"Apologize to me, miss?" Sophie said tonelessly, laying the hat on the bed. Tessa stared. Charlotte wore such plain clothes herself. She never would have thought of her as having the inclination or taste to choose such lovely things.
"I was entirely wrong to speak to you about Gideon as I did," said Tessa. "I put my nose in where it was decidedly not wanted, and you are quite correct, Sophie. One cannot judge a man for the sins of his family. And I should have told you that, though I saw Gideon at the bal that night, I cannot say he was partaking of the festivities; in fact, I cannot see into his head to determine what he thinks at all, and I should not have behaved as if I could. I am no more experienced than you, Sophie, and where it comes to gentlemen, I am decidedly uninformed. I apologize for acting superior; I shant do it again, if only youl forgive me. "
Sophie went to the wardrobe and opened it to reveal a second dress-this one of a very dark blue, trimmed with a golden velvet braid, the polonaise slashed down the right side to reveal pale fail e flounces beneath. "So lovely,"
she said a little wistful y, and touched it lightly with her hand. Then she turned to Tessa. "That were-that was a very pretty apology, miss, and I do forgive you. I forgave you in the drawing room, I did, when you lied for me. I dont approve of lying, but I know you meant it out of kindness. "
"It was very brave, what you did," said Tessa. "Tel ing the truth to Charlotte.
I know how you feared shed be angry. "
Sophie smiled sadly. "She isnt angry. Shes disappointed. I know. She said she couldnt talk to me now but she would later, and I could see it, on her face. Its worse in a way, somehow. "
"Oh, Sophie. Shes disappointed in Will all the time!"
"Well, who isnt. "
"Thats not what I meant. I meant she loves you, like you were Will or Jem or-well, you know. Even if shes disappointed, you must stop fearing shel sack you. She wont. She thinks youre wonderful, and so do I. "
Sophies eyes widened. "Miss Tessa!"
"Well, I do," said Tessa mutinously. "You are brave and selfless and lovely.
Like Charlotte. "
Sophies eyes shone. She wiped at them hastily with the edge of her apron. "Now, thats enough of that," she said briskly, still blinking hard. "We must get you dressed and ready, for Cyrils coming round with the carriage, and I know Mrs. Branwel doesnt want to waste any time. "
Tessa came forward obediently, and with Sophies help she changed into the gray and white striped dress. "And do be careful, is all I have to say," said Sophie as she deftly wielded her buttonhook. "The old man is a nasty piece of work, and dont forget it. Very harsh, he is, on those boys. "