Page 18 of The Truth about the Viscount
“You have been telling thetonthat it was I who drew it?”
Her cousin nodded, still smiling.
“Of course I have! Why would I not?”
A low groan escaped Patience as she covered her face with both of her hands.
“Oh, Eleanor, I wish you had spoken to me first! I was not certain that Iwantedpeople to know that I was the artist!”
“Why ever not?”
Patience threw up her hands.
“Because I do not know what they will think of me! I am here to find a match, am I not? What if the gentlemen of London think it dreadful that a lady should have her work published in The London Chronicle?”
Eleanor only sniffed.
“If there was such a complaint, then I would think those gentlemen were only jealous of your ability. After all, there is nothing wrong with a lady drawing and painting, is there? It is one of the things that gentlemen of thetonhope that we will excel in!”
“I suppose it is, yes.” Patience laughed and then shook her head. “You are quite incorrigible, Eleanor. No matter what kind of obstacle or concern I attempt to throw up, you always have an answer.”
Her cousin chuckled.
“I thank you. So you will have it published, then?”
“This one?”
Eleanor nodded.
“Yes, that one. I think it is quite magnificent, and I am sure many in thetonwill think well of it.”
Still uncertain, Patience looked at her drawing again. There was something that held her back inwardly, though she could not say what it was. It could not be that she wanted Lord Hastings’ approval, surely? She did not even know the gentleman very well and yet, all the same, she felt herself uncertain as to whether or not she wanted to share this with theton.
“You cannot think to hold this back, surely?” Eleanor smiled at her, questions in her eyes. “It will be well thought of, I am sure.”
Patience sighed and then shrugged lightly.
“I suppose I can have no reason to refuse, then. Lady Tolerton – the one who first published my drawing in The London Chronicle – has already written to me stating that they are now requesting another drawing to put into it and thus, I suppose I can send her this one.”
“Excellent!” Eleanor clapped her hands and then beamed at Patience. “I shall wait until you have sent it and thereafter, we can take our walk through the park.”
With a quick roll of her eyes, Patience looked at her cousin and then spoke with a mock weariness in her voice.
“You are going to insist that I do so, are you not? You will not let me wait to send it until I return?”
Eleanor grinned, her eyes dancing.
“Of course I must insist. How else can I be sure that you will do it?”
With a laugh, Patience promised that she would do so just as quickly as she could and, still with a lingering trepidation, set to preparing her drawing.
“I do not knowmuch about Lord Hastings.” Eleanor glanced at Patience before returning her gaze to the path ahead of them. “Might I ask what madehimyour focus?”
Patience considered her answer.
“Truth be told, Eleanor, sometimes I only need to see someone for them to make a distinct impression upon me. It was strange, in a way, seeing him standing as he did, for the soiree was in full swing and yet, he came first to talk to Lord Milthorpe and, thereafter, to stand alone. He has a striking profile, and there was also a heaviness in his expression which caught my attention.” Seeing Eleanor’s eyebrows lift, Patience wondered whether she ought to tell her about what else had occurred and, after a moment, chose to do so. Eleanor’s eyebrows lifted high as Patience spoke, her eyes rounding, but she did not interrupt even once, waiting until Patience had finished. “So I do not know what it was that upset Lord Newforth, nor Lord Hastings, in that manner, but I was glad that he was not angry with me for intervening as I did.”
“Good gracious, it sounds as though Lord Newforth was attempting to intimidate Lord Hastings in some way, though I cannot imagine why he would do so! How very strange.” Eleanor linked arms with Patience. “I have heard thetonsay of late that Lord Hastings has begun to pull away from those in society, almost as though he does not wish to be known by any of them. It is somewhat strange, for the announcement of his sister’s betrothal is meant to be a wonderful thing, is it not? Theinvitations for her betrothal ball are due to come out later this week and yet, Lord Hastings seems to be pulling back, pulling away from all of us. I cannot imagine what it is that troubles him, but it appears that he is quite determined to step back, as you witnessed at the soiree.”
