Free Lord Sidley's Last Season by Sherry Lynn Ferguson Page A

encouragement.
    Marian attempted a smile as she turned from viewing
the county’s rolling hills and gracefully shaded lanes. “I’m sure I shall, Aunt. Whether I am as successful at
continuing my painting is another matter.”

    “You have your whole life in which to paint, my dear.
I suspect that future invitations to Sidley’s Aldersham
are much less likely.”
    “Oh, but, Mama, I shall be inviting Marian and all
my friends at every opportunity!” Katie said.
    Edgar snorted dismissively. “A false start, there,
Missy Kate,” he said with a superior look at his sister.
“The betting book at White’s has better odds on two other
chits. And I can’t say as I’d blame Sidley for choosin’ either of them instead.”
    “I know better, Mr. Peacock,” Katie scoffed. “During
this stay at his aunt’s I shall convince him that I would
make the finest countess”
    “Then he’d be the only one convinced of it!”
    “Edgar .. ” his mother warned. “I do hope you two
will make some effort at civility. Marian and I are unfortunately too accustomed to these squabbles; we’ve
learned to ignore them. But should you be overheard at
Aldersham, your wishes and wagers and other plans are
like to come to naught. Mind me-both of you simply
must be more guarded”
    Both her cousins settled back, looking chastened.
Marian felt chastened as well, but for another reason.
Just before their departure from town, she had at last received a letter from William; he had told her he expected to return by the end of the fortnight. His letter
had in all ways been very much like every letter he had ever sent her, yet Marian had wanted more-some
greater degree of warmth, perhaps, or of anticipation.
After such a lengthy absence, they were at last to begin
their life together. To her increasingly critical sensibility that merited a more personal closing than: Most eager to see you. As ever, Wm.

    As ever. As ever. The carriage wheels mocked the refrain. She should not have expected an eagerness on
William’s part that she was far from feeling herself. For
this past year she had contentedly considered her
prospects settled; she had been free to pursue her craft.
But in light of her unlooked-for reactions to Lord Sidley, that view of marriage now seemed less practical
than narrowly acquisitive. Yes, it was best she relieve
her brother and his future wife of the responsibility for
a spinster sister. But marrying in friendship, to secure a
position, no longer appealed. And though William might
now find sufficient satisfaction in the arrangement, he
might not always.
    Neither of them had ever spoken of love. Yet love …
For some reason love consumed Marian’s thoughts.
    Along the roadway the afternoon sunlight bathed
Kent’s fields and ancient hedgerows in warmth. Marian
felt she must succeed in painting at Aldersham, if only
to remove herself as frequently as possible from the
weekend party. For Katie had relayed every word of
gossip concerning the other aspirants for Lord Sidley’s
favor. And Katie, Marian reflected in some surprise,
had shown a remarkable dedication to accumulating news about her reported rivals. Indeed, competition had
focused most powerfully her frivolous cousin’s attentions. Two names in particular had surfaced in serious
contention. Just how Katie intended to use her research
was another matter, and one with which Marian was
not at all certain she wished to be familiar.

    “Forewarned is forearmed,” Katie had claimed,
glibly quoting the Cervantes that she had never troubled to read. But whereas Lady Katherine, daughter of
an earl, might well feel she had quite an arsenal at her
command, Miss Marian Ware of Brinford did not.
    She had to stop herself from laughing at the thought
of her palette and brushes as weapons, only to remind
herself that she was not truly one of the party. Lord Sidley would not grant Marian Ware the same consideration he gave Miss Delia