Page 78 of Landen
“You arewearing an insulated jacket.’ He looked out towards the gateand saw the car. “You flew here?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I wanted tosee how the young lady is doing.” He watched as she gatheredher woolen jacket around her to ward off the chill.
“Her name isTessa, and she is coming along. Anything else?”
“I would liketo make amends.”
His eyebrows shot up.“Why?”
“I know youhate me-””
“I don’t.Surprisingly, I am not feeling anything right now.”
She lifted her chinand squared her shoulders. “I am not leaving until I speak withyou.”
“Tessa issleeping-”
“If you inviteme for tea, I promise we will not disturb her.” There was apleading look in her eyes that had him relenting. With a curt nod, heopened the door and allowed her to precede him.
“Thehousekeeper prepared breakfast.” He gestured to the tabletucked into one corner of the room. “I don’t feel likesetting the table with a linen tablecloth and the proper utensils fordining.”
“Just tea willdo, thank you.”
Turning to the pot,he poured the tea and reached for the lime and honey, handing them toher. “You caught me just as I was about to have breakfast.”
“Please goahead.” She murmured graciously.
Taking his meal fromthe warmer, he brought it and the tea over to the table and satacross from her. “Why are you here?”
“I told you Iwant to make amends.”
“How?”
“I didsomething terrible the other day, and I am here to apologize.”
His thick, dark browswinged up. “Why this change of heart? Tessa is still anAmerican, and she is still black.”
She winced at that asshe took a delicate sip of her tea. “I am not prejudiced.”She told him quietly.
“You just thinkthat people of color belong in the kitchen or with a broom.”
She blanched, herface whitening. “I said that once in anger.”
“And I neverforgot it.”
“I never meantit.”
“Mother, Ihappen to know you.” he smiled grimly as he dug into his meal.“You and Father will never accept Tessa, but that does notmatter to me. I am unapologetically in love with her. That’snever going to change.”
“We know.”
He looked at hersharply. “And as soon as she can, I am marrying her.”
She took another sipof the tea.