But it had always been her middle son - Ian - who had given Joanna the most concern over the years. Oh, definitely not because of his behavior or relationships or lifestyle. Unlike easygoing, affable Hugh or mischievous, fun-loving Colin, Ian had always been quiet, composed, and in complete control - the perfect gentleman. Joanna couldn’t recall ever seeing him really lose his temper or betray his emotions. The only times she’d ever seen him let loose a bit had been in the boxing ring at school. And even then Ian had always been in total control, besting opponent after opponent, due not just to his physical strength and conditioning, but to his ability to block off his emotions at a moment’s notice.
Even when Ian had become engaged to Davina, he’d maintained his air of reserve, never displaying overt affection towards her or seeming truly happy. It had hardly been a shock to Joanna when the ill-fated engagement had ended after less than six months.
Since that time, and to the best of her knowledge, Ian hadn’t been serious about a woman. When she and Edward had visited him in San Francisco, he had either escorted one of three or four different women, all of whom he treated more like a business associate than a girlfriend, or gone without an escort altogether. And during his visits to London, or family gatherings at the villa in Tuscany, he had always been alone - and lonely.
Joanna had always been puzzled about Ian’s reticence with women, for he was undeniably the handsomest of her three sons, and she’d very clearly seen the way women vied for his attention. But when she’d quizzed him on the matter on multiple occasions, he had always dismissed her concerns, assuring her he was more than content with his lifestyle, and joking that no woman would put up with his schedule anyway. She hadn’t been especially reassured, however, and continued to fret over the fact that he was now forty, unmarried, and alone. He was too good a man, too kind and generous a person, to not have someone special in his life, someone to love and care for him the way he deserved. She had hoped and, yes, prayed, for years now that Ian would finally find the right woman to share his life and bring him the sort of happiness he deserved more than anyone she knew.
But when Edward had broken the news to her last month that not only had Ian apparently fallen head over heels in love, but that the woman in question was also living with him, Joanna had been immediately concerned. The very last trait she would have ever attributed to her middle son was that of impulsiveness, and this very sudden, unexpected action on his part seemed completely out of character.
The alarm bells had really begun to ring, however, when Edward had told her the final two bits of news. The woman in question - Tessa was her name - was not only a former employee of Ian’s, but a very young one at that. Upon hearing that this young woman was a full fifteen years Ian’s junior, Joanna had immediately pegged the girl as a fortune hunter, an opportunistic gold digger, and had fretted and worried about all the ways the girl must be taking advantage of her son.
Edward, however, had only chuckled about the whole matter and dismissed her concerns. “My dear, this is Ian we’re talking about after all, and not Colin. Or your thrice-divorced brother Gavin, who unfortunately was one of Colin’s role models. Ian is the most sensible, level-headed person I’ve ever met, and lovesick or not there is no possible way he would let anyone take advantage of him. Have some faith, Joanna. After all, it does seem that all of the praying you did for him over the years has finally shown results.”
“My prayers didn’t include a twenty-four year old floozy who’s only interested in his money,” grumbled Joanna. “Well, it’s a good thing we’re paying a visit next month so we can see for ourselves what’s going on. Hopefully it’s not too late to save Ian from this little schemer.”
No amount of reasoning on Edward’s part had served to change Joanna’s mind. And since she wasn’t about to accuse Ian over the phone of taking up with an eager little fortune hunter, she was obliged to keep her opinions to herself during their conversations. He did sound extremely happy, far more so than she could ever recall, and he assured her that she was going to fall in love with Tessa as quickly as he had. Joanna had to bite her tongue on those occasions, and rather stiffly tell her son that she was looking forward to their visit very much.
But now that they were actually here in San Francisco, their luggage being loaded into Ian’s town car by Simon, Joanna found herself dreading what she feared was going to be an awkward and unpleasant encounter. If this young woman was in fact the greedy, opportunistic little tramp that she feared, it was going to make for a very long, uncomfortable visit.
Simon was as efficient and accommodating as he’d been during their previous visits, loading up their luggage and driving them smoothly out of the airport with a minimum of polite conversation. But Joanna was uncharacteristically chatty with Ian’s chauffeur, anxious to get his opinion on this Tessa, and to pry whatever information she could from the very proper Welshman.
“So, Simon. What can you tell us about Mr. Ian’s new, ah companion?”
Edward frowned at her. “Joanna, let’s not put Simon in an awkward spot. I’m sure he doesn’t indulge in idle gossip.”
“It’s not a problem, sir,” assured Simon from the front seat. “And to answer your question, madam, I can assure you that you’ll be quite taken with Miss Tessa. She’s a lovely girl, just lovely, and Mr. Ian is completely besotted with her. You’ll be rather, ah, amazed at the changes in him.”
Joanna was visibly taken aback at this news. “Mr. Gregson and I were worried that this girl might be taking advantage of our son. Given her youth, that is.”
Edward gave her a jab in the ribs. “Speak for yourself, my dear.
I’m
not worried in the least. Ian is far from a boy, after all, and not one to let his emotions take over his common sense.”
“You don’t have to worry about Miss Tessa,” declared Simon. “She’s a good girl, quiet, well-mannered, and she takes very good care of Mr. Ian. With all due respect, madam, she’s the furthest thing from a fortune hunter you can imagine. You’ll see for yourself very soon.”
Joanna was only mildly mollified by Simon’s assurances, but she did console herself with the fact that the very straight-laced chauffeur was not a man who suffered fools gladly. Of course, it was entirely possible that the little flirt had somehow wormed her way into Simon’s affections as well, twisting him around her finger the way she appeared to have done to Ian.
Joanna knew very few people who would readily admit to being wrong, and she didn’t count herself in that minority. But she was well bred and gracious enough to realize when she’d made a serious error in judgment, and she knew the minute she shook Tessa Lockwood’s hand that she’d been completely wrong about the girl.
Ian’s new companion was exquisite, and it was easy to see why he was so taken with her. Instead of the overblown sexpot that Joanna had been expecting to meet, the girl was almost painfully shy, very sweet, and clearly extremely intimidated to meet Ian’s parents. The hand she placed in Joanna’s was actually trembling, and her voice breathy and high-pitched as she greeted them.
Edward smiled broadly as he took Tessa’s hand in his and gave her a peck on the cheek. “It’s delightful to meet you, my dear. You’re practically all Ian talks about these days. And you are even more beautiful than he claimed.”
Joanna was astonished to see the girl blush, unable to remember the last time she’d seen a young woman react in such a way.
Ian chuckled, placing an arm around Tessa’s shoulders. “You’re embarrassing her, Father. And she’s already nervous about meeting the two of you.”
“Well, that’s ridiculous,” chided Edward. “You don’t need to be nervous around us, my girl. We trust Ian’s judgment implicitly, and since he’s admittedly head over heels in love with you - well, that’s good enough for us. Isn’t that right, Joanna?”
Joanna glanced at Tessa, and felt a little tug on her heart when she noticed how anxious the girl appeared. She smiled warmly, taking Tessa’s hands and giving them a reassuring squeeze. “Yes, it most certainly is. And my husband is right, dear. It’s a great pleasure to meet you.”
At that, Tessa smiled - really smiled - and suddenly whatever tension might have still existed seemed to evaporate into thin air.
Tessa served them a perfectly prepared and beautifully arranged full tea service, and Joanna was almost speechless with surprise when Ian told them proudly that Tessa had made everything herself.
“She’s been taking some cooking courses, and is becoming quite the accomplished chef,” bragged Ian. “In fact, we’re having dinner here at home tonight. Tessa insisted on cooking for you.”
Tessa offered up a shy smile. “I thought you’d be tired from such a long flight, and might not want to go out. I hope that’s all right.”
Joanna was astonished. Neither of her daughters-in-law actually cooked. With four young, energetic sons Victoria relied heavily on domestic help just to keep her sane. And Selina, who’d gone back to her job as a high-powered corporate attorney a few months after giving birth, freely admitted she could barely boil water.
Joanna herself seldom cooked, and very few of the women in their social circles, whether young or old, did either. So she was doubly surprised that Ian’s very young girlfriend was not only taking cooking lessons but actually putting them to some use.
As they enjoyed their tea, Joanna took the opportunity to more closely observe the girl, and more importantly, her interactions with Ian. Tessa was fresh-faced and glowing, her flawless skin practically makeup free. She was wearing a charming floral print dress - dainty pink flowers on a cream background - a pink cardigan sweater, and low-heeled, cream sling-back pumps. Her nails were kept on the short side and covered with a pale pink polish, and the only jewelry she wore was a pair of pearl stud earrings.
She looked classy and polished, someone that Ian would be bursting with pride to have on his arm. Joanna knew the pearls were real, recognized the shoes as Prada, and was fairly certain the dress was from Dolce & Gabbana’s spring collection. She wasn’t naïve enough not to realize that Ian had paid for the entire outfit, and most likely a great deal more. But none of that mattered to Joanna at this point, not when she saw how happy her son was, how often he smiled and laughed, how he looked younger, leaner, and very much in love.
And the girl clearly adored him. It was more than obvious with every look she gave him, every smile, the way she hung on his every word. And though they were both entirely discreet and restrained, they couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other for very long. Even now, as they all sat in the living room finishing their tea, Ian was clasping Tessa’s hand lightly in his, and they sat close enough on the sofa for their shoulders to touch.
Joanna was almost spellbound to watch her normally austere, standoffish middle son acting like a young boy in love for the very first time in his life. And she very nearly choked on one of the admittedly delicious homemade scones Tessa had baked when Ian wrapped his arm around the girl’s shoulders and pressed a kiss to her rosy cheek. Tessa blushed an even deeper shade of pink, and looked down at her lap shyly while Ian merely chuckled in amusement.
“Darling, you don’t have to be shy around my parents,” he told her. “I’m not exactly a boy of fourteen any longer.”
Edward smiled. “Ah, but you were far more interested in your studies and sports when you were that age, didn’t pay much notice to the all the young women vying for your attention. Your brother Colin was the ladies’ man, even at that young age. And I think your mother feared he would never settle down.”
“Well, God does work his miracles sometimes, doesn’t he, Mother?” teased Ian. “Colin is happily married and a father, and I’ve met the most wonderful girl in the entire world. So all is well, wouldn’t you say?”
Joanna couldn’t help smiling fondly at her much loved son. “I certainly would. And you look wonderful, darling, happier than I’ve ever seen you. I suppose we all owe Tessa here a debt of gratitude for putting that sparkle in your eye. You look a bit thinner than you did in February, Ian.”
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 fidget, 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.”