Page 5 of A Lady's Propitious Match
CHAPTER 2
Christopher sighed with irritation. He simply could not get the eyes right on his latest sketch, which was truly annoying for him. Perhaps it was because this was not a woman he knew. He was not drawing this image from a subject sitting in front of him, or even from memory.
He had been experimenting with creating something completely new recently, and it was a style he had been enjoying experimenting with.
Until now.
Perhaps it was his location, stifling his creativity.
There was something about London which made his mind feel smaller, like it was trapped in a cage. Even sitting by the parlor window did not help, because the view simply reminded him of where he was.
“Ah, there you are, Son. I was looking for you.”
Christopher barely even glanced up from his work to look at his mother. Lenora would not like that, she always needed to be acknowledged and heard whenever she spoke.
“You know, you do not have to do that now that you are home.” The disappointment laced her tone as she took a seat across from him. “You have spent the last year abroad in France and Germany…”
“Italy,” he corrected her, not that she would be too worried about being right. “It was Italy I spent time in, not Germany.”
“Yes, well you have spent the last year working on your art all around Europe…”
“And tutoring those who need me…”
“But now you are back, Christopher,” Lenora interjected. “And just in time for the Season. I think it would be best for you to use this time wisely. Instead of fiddling about with your pencils, you should mingle and get to know everyone. It would be a good idea for you to meet the women of London.”
Christopher tried his hardest not to let out a snort of derision. “I need to focus on my tutoring business, Mother. I need to attain myself some new clients.”
“There are plenty of eligible young ladies who will want to get to know you. Who will admire your artistic talents even. Your worldly knowledge also. I am sure that many people would love to hear all about your European adventures.”
“I do not think I have the time to attend balls and other such events…”
Christopher did not have the enthusiasm more than the time. Much as he knew that he would have to find himself a suitable match one day, this did not feel like the time to him. Not when he still had a lot that he wanted to achieve with his art business.
He truly wanted to get to a point where he did not feel like he was a disappointment to his family any longer. He wanted his mother and brother to respect the path that he had chosen for himself in a way that his father never would. That was why he had become so determined, so nomadic with his business since his father died. To show that he was worthwhile.
When he was not in London, it was easy for him to lose himself in his dedication to nurturing the creativity of his students. It was something that he truly enjoyed and got a lot of self satisfaction from. He loved being able to help others grow and find their artistic voice. He enabled and encouraged them in a way he would like to have been treated.
“Well, you must not forget, Christopher, that I am hosting a dinner later this evening.” Lenora clapped her hands together in excitement. “Graham and his wife, Julianna, will be here of course, with their daughter, Victoria. But more importantly, the Devereuxs.”
Christopher stared blankly at his mother, not sure if this name was supposed to mean anything to him.
“You know that we are hoping for a match between their lovely daughter, Henrietta and you, so if this goes well, you might not need to worry too much about the functions of the Season. IfHenrietta is happy with you, then we can concentrate on that courtship instead.”
Christopher was never going to be able to muster up the enthusiasm that his mother had for a courtship, especially with someone he likely knew from his time in London, but could not remember.
“Does this have to be a matchmaking dinner?” he asked wryly.
His mother simply tutted at him. “Dress nicely and be polite. Is that too much to ask for? It does not have to be anything, but I do not think you should dismiss Henrietta Devereux. She has grown up into a graceful and beautiful young lady who always knows how to behave properly.” She gave her son a knowing look. “Since you have been away for over a year, it might be good for you to spend some time with someone who knows what is expected of them.”
All Christopher wanted to do was spend the evening perfecting his work. He knew that if he was given long enough, he could sketch these eyes perfectly, just as he saw them in his mind. But he already knew that his mother was a relentless woman who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.
Well, he would attend the dinner, because he had no choice in the matter, and he would dress nicely whilst being polite, but if he did not feel anything for Henrietta then he already knew that he would not string her along.
When he eventually got around to finding a match, he knew it would have to be with a woman who understood him, and who he felt a connection with. At eight and twenty years old, he still had plenty of time to find the right woman to spend his life with.
Maybe someone who understood his passion for art, and maybe even enjoyed looking at paintings herself. Someone who was not just interested in hearing his stories about his travels, but who maybe wanted to see some of the world with him. Was that too much to ask?
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