Page 45 of The Dreaming Beauty
Marcus let his head fall back again. “The stars are tranquil and comforting, aren’t they? They see everything that happens, and while I am sure they hold the secrets of the world, they reflect only the light.”
“What a beautiful concept.” She scanned the heavens. “Maybe it is the light you speak of that I am searching for. I tell myself I need the reminder that there is a constant above an ever-changing Earth. My thoughts are always racing, but somehow the stars remind me to be still.”
“Do you enjoy finding the constellations too? I confess I like to watch for the rotation as the seasons pass.”
Tansy looked away from the white-speckled view and shook her head. “I have heard that sailors can chart their course by using the sky as a map, but I have never learned to differentiate between more than a few constellations.”
“What about the myths behind them? I discovered the stories while in school, but I would wager they would rival Daisy’s fairy lore in their entertainment value.”
If he wanted to leave, he certainly was not in a hurry, and Tansy wasn’t eager to end their conversation either. “Someday I hope to learn more and hear all the stories you know. Maybe you could tell them to my aunts too. Daisy mentioned today how long it has been since your last visit.”
He cleared his throat. “It has been some time, but I am afraid I cannot visit just now.”
Tansy regretted her words. She’d been too eager, getting lost in the connection they’d formed over the stars. “Oh, of course. I understand.” She should have seen this coming. It was typical for people to slowly push her family away. Their nature was different and did not always fit in with what Society deemed normal. She hoped he would not notice her disappointment, in the low light.
“But I have it on good authority that your family is to receive an invitation to dine with us in less than a fortnight.”
A fortnight? She should be glad they would be welcome again at Ashbury Court, but instead of feeling elation, she felt more of a dismissal. “I am surprised your mother would include us. I don’t mean to overstep, but she seemed particular.”
“She is, but I still hope you will accept.” His eyes implored her, and she could hardly resist. Not after the painting supplies. Not after the stars.
“I will accept when it comes,” Tansy said.
He grinned. “I hoped you would.” He dipped a bow. “I will leave you now to your night sky. I hope you find whatever peace you need so you might sleep well tonight.”
If Tansy had believed Marcus handsome before, seeing him now, in her favorite light, only amplified how she viewed him. “I hope the same for you, Marcus. Good night to you.”
She watched him walk through the gate and continue on, until he disappeared. She wished she could glimpse into his mind to see if she was there. After tonight, she was one step closer to a precipice, and she was about to fall completely for him. Still, nothing had changed but her heart. There were so many obstacles between them: her lack of dowry, her family, his mother and brother, and a curse from the past that she could not understand. She had never felt this strongly about anyone before. Certainly not for Mr. Robinson. There was no comparison, really. Marcus was ten times the man in every aspect of his character. But fear of something always keeping them apart overshadowed the yearning she felt for him, keeping her from hoping for a future together.
Chapter 20
Two days later an invitationarrived with the Duke of Westmorland’s seal—a lion salient—pressed against the paper. Tansy wasn’t the only one excited. She and her aunts all gathered around their circular table at Rose Cottage and pored over the elegant script together.
Aster read aloud. “You are cordially invited to a dinner party at Ashbury Court in honor of the homecoming of the Duke of Westmorland.”
Iris pulled the parchment closer. “It’s for next Friday evening. It is Wednesday today, so that makes nine whole days to fret about what to wear.”
“You know I cannot attend,” Daisy whined. Her hand was on her sleeve again, twisting wrinkles into the fabric that would be hard to press out. “Please don’t make me.”
Tansy had been afraid of this reaction. “But you have been to Ashbury Court four or five other times. Why would this time make any difference?” She didn’t want to go if they didn’t all go. As much as she knew her family did not always act as they ought to at social engagements, she still did not want to face Lady Mel-bourne, or even the duke for that matter, without her family at her side.
“It’s a dinner party,” Aster said. “We cannot be sure how many people will be there, and since it is being held in honor of the duke’s return, we must assume there will be a full table.”
“I will happily volunteer to stay home with Daisy and read.” Iris pushed the invitation toward Aster.
“Nonsense. Daisy doesn’t need someone to ignore her all night,” Aster said. “I will stay behind, and Daisy and I will sew blankets for her fairy houses from the scrap basket.”
Daisy clapped. “I want blue silk with a pink ribbon.”
“We will have to see what we can find.” Aster pushed the invitation back to Iris. “You will have to chaperone Tansy. And absolutely no glaring or criticizing anyone.”
Iris growled. “At least the food ought to be good.”
A small surge of anxiety passed through Tansy’s limbs. She had met so few people in town, and she had no idea who would be at such a high-caliber party. She was tempted to make an excuse not to go, but she had already told Marcus she would attend. She wanted to see him again, but at what personal cost?
The next several days passed without consequence. Tansy spent her time experimenting with her new painting supplies on small cards, but she did not touch her canvas. She would not paint on it until she was sure she knew exactly what she wanted to paint. Her aunts had assumed the supplies were from the duke since Tansy had only said she had found them on the front step. She let them think it, knowing it would not be wise to bring up how she knew they were from Marcus.
When Sunday came, Daisy came down with a cold and had to stay behind from church. Tansy wanted to go in case she saw Marcus, but then she would see the duke and Lady Melbourne too. In the end, she volunteered to stay home with Daisy since she would be getting out for the dinner party come Friday.
