Page 34 of Pursuing Lord Pascal
“Meg, it’s time you were in bed, instead of asking rude questions,” Sally said, although her attempts at sternness were never very convincing.
“Yes, Aunt.” She paused at the door, and the humor left her eyes. “And thank you. I know I’m a trial to you, but I’m grateful for everything you’re doing for me.”
“Not that much of a trial.” Sally’s expression softened. “Away with you, mousekin.”
Amy smiled after Meg as she left. “She’s a lovely girl.”
“She is. And I hope she finds happiness. I like Sir Charles, and he’s been most particular in his attentions since he arrived in London last week.”
“He has.” Although in Amy’s opinion, he was interested in Sally, rather than her pretty niece. She knew Sally well enough by now not to voice that opinion. Sally believed that at thirty, she was past the age of romance. “I like him, too.”
“He’s invited us to the Royal Academy tomorrow. I do hope Meg doesn’t betray her complete ignorance of painting. Sir Charles is quite the connoisseur. Did you notice the Titian in his drawing room?”
Amy hid a smile. “I did indeed. Luckily you can talk pictures, if Meg finds herself at sea.” Over supper, Sir Charles and Sally had enjoyed a lively discussion about Mr. Turner’s latest works. Meg had been busy, telling Amy and Pascal about her father’s stables. The chit mightn’t know much about art, but she could wax eloquent on equine bloodlines.
Sally rose from her chair near the fire. “Would you like a brandy?”
A small glass of brandy was the perfect accompaniment to these late night chats. “Yes, please.”
While Sally poured their drinks, a comfortable silence fell. It still astounded Amy how easily she and Sally had falleninto friendship. They were both lonely, and she’d learned to appreciate Sally’s worldly experience and sound common sense.
Sally passed Amy a brandy and carried hers back to her chair. “I’m worried about Morwenna.”
“I am, too.” Amy sipped her drink. “But to give her her due, she’s doing better than I thought she would.”
“Oh, I agree. She puts on a great pretense of enjoying herself. But under the gaiety, she’s still grieving.”
Amy settled back and let the liquor and the fire melt away the night’s tension. The strain of this prolonged torture of a courtship told on her. With every moment in Pascal’s company, her control became more frayed. Tonight, he’d looked so disheartened, she’d nearly flung herself into his arms and begged him to kiss her.
But she was painfully aware that his lovers were always cheaply won, and just as easily forsaken. She couldn’t bear to become another eager, forgettable woman in a long list of eager, forgettable women.
“Sally, she needed every ounce of courage she possessed to come to London and face the world again. She and Robert were deeply in love. Give her time. And don’t forget that she’s missing Kerenza.” Kerenza was at Woodley with Silas and Caroline and all her Nash cousins. Morwenna knew her daughter was fine, but that didn’t make the separation easier.
“I know she is. I just wish she was happy.”
“Especially after you’ve tried so hard to give us a memorable few weeks.”
Sally waved her glass in a dismissive gesture. “I’ve loved having you both to stay—and Meg, too.”
“Your niece is a great success, and her popularity hasn’t turned her head.”
“No, she’s a good child, if a little too inclined to mock the wisdom of her elders.”
Amy sent Sally a disgusted look. “I wish you wouldn’t do that.”
“What?” Sally drained her brandy.
“Talk about yourself as if you’ve got one foot in the grave. You’re beautiful, and you’ve got more energy than Morwenna and me combined. If you think society’s gentlemen haven’t noticed, you need spectacles.”
Sally’s lips twitched. “Shortsightedness is a sign of old age.”
“And blind stubbornness is a sign of a closed mind.”
Sally laughed, clearly discounting Amy’s comments. “You’re too kind. Why would anyone look at me when I’m with Meg, who’s so young and vibrant?”
Amy shook her head. “Not every man wants an untried girl, Sally.”
Sally’s eyes sharpened. “Speaking of men who like women with some life experience, when are you going to put Pascal out of his misery?”
