Page 41 of The Truth about the Viscount
Patience laughed with her cousin, her heart filled with a surge of happiness.
“I shall not stop, I assure you,” she said, rising to ring the bell. “In fact, I promise you that you shall be the very next drawing I send to The London Chronicle. Will that satisfy you?”
Her cousin grinned.
“I shall be more than contented with that. Thank you, Patience.”
Chapter Fifteen
“You really are quite remarkable, Lady Patience.”
Daniel smiled to himself as his sister expressed yet more delight over Lady Patience’s artwork.
“I recognized Lady Eleanor at once,” his mother said, as both families continued to enjoy their dinner together. “I am sure that she might have been overjoyed to see her likeness in The London Chronicle!”
Lady Patience, her cheeks a little flushed, let out a soft laugh.
“I think that she is, yes, given that she practically demanded that I makeherthe very next subject of my drawings.”
This brought a smile to everyone’s face, and Daniel settled back into his chair a little more, thinking to himself that this dinner had been a great success. A sennight after their betrothal, he had succeeded in bringing both families together, with Lord Milthorpe joining them also. It had only added to his delight to hear that Lord Osterley had given his consent by letter, which meant that his marriage to Lady Patience could now go ahead without any difficulty.
I think that I am as delighted as any gentleman might be to find himself betrothed.Considering Lady Patience, his chestflooded with a fresh warmth as he took her in. The light smile on her lips, the sweetness of her manner, and the way that her eyes constantly turned to his made Daniel’s heart lift. It had been a little over a sennight now since their unexpected betrothal, and with every day that had passed, he had found himself all the happier about their upcoming wedding.
Which is very strange indeed, given that it was not something that I had considered before then.
“Hastings?”
Pulling himself out of his thoughts – and his gaze away from Lady Patience - Daniel flushed hot as his mother’s knowing look.
“Yes, Mother?”
“I think that we shall take our tea in the drawing room now.” She smiled and then rose from the table, the other ladies following suit. “Do not be too long with your port. I am sure that your betrothed will be eager for your company, and you for hers!”
This was said with a twinkle in her eye and Daniel only nodded, suddenly unable to look anywhere but straight ahead. The ladies made their way from the room and, as the door closed, Lord Milthorpe immediately began to chuckle.
“They are clearly aware – as I am – that your admiration for Lady Patience grows with every moment that you spend with her.”
Lord Milthorpe laughed aloud this time, as Daniel threw him what was an attempt at a withering look, though he knew all too well that what his friend had said was quite true.
“Shall we drink our port?” Gesturing to the footman to serve the port, Daniel said nothing more until a glass had been served both to himself and Lord Milthorpe. Thereafter, he raised the glass high, managing to smile. “To happy and contented marriages.”
“Indeed.” After drinking his glass of port, Lord Milthorpe smiled broadly. “Did I tell you that Lord Newforth has been seen in Bath?”
Daniel’s eyebrows lifted in surprise.
“Has he, indeed?”
“Yes, he has. I heard it from Lord Tillerson, who has only just arrived from Bath. It may be that you have succeeded in besting him.”
A slight scowl pulled at Daniel’s expression.
“I do not think that betrothing myself to Lady Patience could be consideredbestinghim.”
“That is not what I meant.” Lord Milthorpe cleared his throat. “What I am trying to say is that you may well now be free of the difficulties which have pursued you ever since my betrothal to Isabella, and can now focus on the happiness before you. Happiness which, I think, you are only just beginning to realize the extent of.”
At this, Daniel looked away, trying to sort out his emotions into an easily understood collection. When it came to Lady Patience, his feelings were beginning to grow in a most confusing manner, spreading right through him until he struggled to even think of anything other than her, and when he might see her again.
“You are unsure of your feelings, mayhap?” Lord Milthorpe chuckled again though this time, it was softer. “I can well understand that.”
