"I'm just concerned," Nesta said. "Won't your brother be pissed at you spending so much money on someone you hardly know?"
Tessa smiled. "First, it's not his money. Second, he has no right. I'm not a defenseless lady who someone can just steal from, and so with so much wealth, what I can do is spend it."
Nesta knew about some of her former friends who talked so much about money. Well, here was one, and honestly, Tessa didn't look like it. Sure, she wore expensive gowns, even though her best color was black, or at least, it had been the only type of gown Nesta had seen her with, but she didn't like talking about money or business like her brother occasionally did.
Nesta didn't even know what interested Tessa. Most of the time she engaged her in a conversation, she noticed Tessa always seemed not interested, not that she ever said it. But Nesta thought she was sensitive enough to know, but of course, she could be wrong.
"Most of the wealth had been amassed over centuries before now by my ancestors," Tessa said. "I don't know what they were saving it for, but if there is any time to spend it, the time is now. It's a wealth I don't think may easily finish anyway. Although, before you think the worst of me, I do have investments in so many places."
It made sense to Nesta. Now, she saw why Tessa was relaxed.
"Do you have friends?" Nesta asked.
"No, not really," Tessa said. "I like being alone, but I find you interesting."
Nesta smiled.
"Now, eat," Tessa said. "We have a few more stops to make. Heels, jewelry, and perfumes."
When Tessa dropped Nesta off at her home, Nesta invited her for tea, saying it's the least she could do.
Tessa said, "Okay. But I won't be staying for long. There's still so much to do. You do know you and your dad are our guests of honor for the ball? At least, that's what Quinn told me. You have to look flashy."
From nowhere, Nesta began to wonder if all this was Quinn's idea.
Lillian served tea in the drawing with some biscuits set on a ceramic plate on a tray.
Tessa and Nesta sipped from their cups at the same time.
"Delicious," Tessa said.
"Thank you," Nesta said.
"Trust you're finding London interesting?"
Nesta laughed. "I didn't expect it to be this interesting. You do know how to make someone happy. I just hope you are happy in turn?"
"I sure am."
Nesta wasn't convinced. Although, Tessa could hide anything through her beautiful smile.
"Say nothing about today to Quinn," Tessa said. "I would love to have it with him, not knowing."
"I won't tell him a thing," Nesta said.
"It's been so long since I did this with someone that I forget all the fun attached to it. Normally, I would send my maids to get Madam Juliana or madam Rowan and the entire lot, but I loved that you accompanied me today."
"And I'm pleased to know you, and would happily accompany you any time." Nesta only hoped she didn't sound greedy or ungrateful. To counter that, she said, "I just feel my gratitude will never be enough."
Tessa grinned. "Relax, love. Really, this was nothing to me. I wish to do more."
Nothing Nesta knew she could do could ever rival this day.
However, not long, Tessa kept her cup of tea aside and took to her feet, then she said, "I'll have to be going. Best I help out my brother before he thinks the worst of me, even though he does think so."
Nesta lowered her cup to the plate on the stool and she also stood. "You have my deepest gratitude for today, Tessa."
"I'm thankful too as well," Tessa said.
Both ladies closed the space to hug, then Nesta saw Tessa to her carriage.
"Goodbye," Tessa said.
"Goodbye," Nesta said.
Nesta returned to the comfort of her room, truly feeling like a princess, and when Lillian joined her, she told Lillian all about her day.
"I don't know how many she would be getting for me," Nesta said, "but I may have to give you some of my gowns. And I just remembered. We both will fit in the same gown. We are the same size."
Lillian thanked her. "Strange odd lady. Never have I heard of anyone's generosity as such."
"For a second, I did think she was trying to buy my friendship, you know, lavish so much on me and make me bound to her so that when she asks about anything, I won't be able to say no. It's how I felt for a short time, but I drove the thought away. According to her, her family is really old, and probably, that's where she got it all from."
"And how do you feel now?"
"Indebted to her." She cocked her head to one side.
"It's natural. At least, you had fun. And who knows, once you're done, I may not be able to recognize you."
Nesta thought of Quinn, wondering why she hadn't had time to speak with him, yet. Was he avoiding her? No, she didn't need to think such. He was such a busy man after all.