Splendor(161)

Ian patted his rock hard torso. “Just a few pounds that I’d put on over the holidays. You know what our business is like, Mother, all the dining out with clients and staff. It catches up to you after a time, especially at my age. Since Tessa’s moved in, she insists on cooking for me as often as possible so I’m naturally eating healthier.”

Joanna had to stifle a little gasp of surprise when Ian smiled fondly at the girl, tucking a long strand of blonde hair behind her ear and murmuring to no one in particular, “She takes very, very good care of me, don’t you, love?”

Tessa didn’t reply, merely beaming at him adoringly and touching his cheek lightly. It was the most innocent of caresses, and yet Joanna couldn’t help but feel that she and Edward were witnessing a very intimate moment.

Before she did something ill-mannered like fidgeting, Joanna smoothly changed the subject. “Do you have any siblings, Tessa? Ian hasn’t really told us much about your family.”

Instantly the girl’s face sobered, and Ian frowned in displeasure at the question. He bent to whisper something in her ear but she waved him off.

“It’s all right,” she told him gently. “It’s not a secret, after all.” And then to Joanna she replied quietly, “I don’t have any family at all, Mrs. Gregson. My mother was really all I had and she died when I was sixteen.”

Joanna was startled at this bit of news, and she couldn’t help the rush of empathy she+ felt for the girl. She noticed for perhaps the first time the great sadness in Tessa’s enormous blue eyes, eyes that suddenly seemed too old for her otherwise youthful face.

“I’m so sorry, my dear,” she told her sincerely. “I’ve always had such a large family that I can’t even imagine what it must be like to be all alone in the world. But you’re not alone any longer, are you? Now you have my Ian to look after you.”

Tears shimmered in Tessa’s eyes as she nodded and squeezed the hand Ian had slid into hers. “I do, yes. And I know how lucky I am to have him. He’s the most wonderful man in the world.”

Edward cleared his throat. “Now, then, no tears, young lady. I’m the sort who tends to get a bit weepy during sad movies so allow an old man his dignity, hmm? Only happy talk allowed, are we clear?”

Ian laughed. “You’d better say yes, darling. I’m not certain I could handle seeing my father start crying like a girl.”

Tessa giggled, and then all four of them were laughing and the subject changed to something more lighthearted.

Tessa seemed startled when Joanna offered to help clear away the tea service, but the girl merely nodded and thanked her graciously. Somehow, and apparently without the guidance of a mother or other relative, the girl had learned how to conduct herself like a lady, for her manners were impeccable.

“You were an employee of Ian’s, I understand?”

Tessa nodded as she wrapped up leftover food and began to load the dishwasher. “Yes, ma’am. I worked on his support team for a little over two years. Before that I worked at the resort in Tucson.”

A light suddenly went on in Joanna’s mind. “Ah, I see. You worked for Francine at one time.”

Tessa’s face lit up at the mention of her former manager. “Yes, for several years. She – well, she taught me a great deal. You know Mrs. Carrington then?”

Joanna chuckled. “Yes, indeed. She was in charge of the office in London for a number of years, as you know. And that included being in charge of Edward and his brother. Everyone knew that Francine was the real boss.”

If Tessa had been under the tutelage of Francine Carrington for several years, that would explain her exquisite manners and ladylike demeanor. Joanna was finally beginning to feel like she could breathe a huge sigh of relief. Rather than the aggressive, obnoxious gold digger she’d been dreading, Ian’s new companion was turning out to be a very pleasant surprise.

“I see you haven’t made any changes to the house as yet,” commented Joanna. And indeed the only alterations she’d noticed had been an abundance of fresh flowers in almost every room she’d seen thus far.

Tessa was clearly taken aback by this statement and looked a bit puzzled. “Well, no. I’m not sure that I would have, though. I mean, this is Ian’s house, not mine. But aside from that fact, I love everything about this place and wouldn’t change a thing. He has such wonderful +taste, doesn’t he?”

Joanna smiled indulgently when she saw the dreamy looked that crossed Tessa’s face. “That he does, my dear. Did he pick out that dress for you?”

A guilty look came over Tessa’s features and she was clearly uncomfortable discussing the subject. “Not this one, no. My friend Julia helped me pick it out.”