Read Online Lord Sidley's Last Season by Sherry Lynn Ferguson - Free Book Online

Sidley had extolled in the Microcosm, this rendition was
even more beautiful.
    “Miss Ware is much too modest,” Sidley said.
    “She did this?” Benny exclaimed. “How?”
    “With a paintbrush and considerable talent. And a
perseverance that would be foreign to you, my friend.”
Sidley turned to face Benny. “Your education has been
lacking in certain areas, my lord Benny. We must take a close tour of my collection at home. Or, better yet, visit
the summer exhibition at Somerset House.”

    As Benny protested that he had no time for such frivolities, the butler addressed them from the doorway,
with an announcement that the ladies were receiving.
They crossed the hall, to be met immediately upon entering the drawing room by a bounding and happily smiling
Lady Katherine.
    “My lords.” She curtsied to them all, then fixed a
sparkling gaze on Sidley. “Lord Sidley, I am so pleased
to see you recovered”
    He waved a hand. “‘Twas merely a bit hot in your
rooms last night,” he claimed, “and I had been exercisin’” His glance slid past a silently attentive Marian
Ware, to settle on Lady Formsby. He bowed to the older
woman, as did Benny and Vaughn. “Lady Formsby, we
must thank you for an excessively fine evening. I apologize for the excitement. I repeat, ‘twas nothing.”
    “Nothing!” Lady Katherine exclaimed. “Why-”
    “We are most grateful for your call here today, my
lord Sidley,” her mother interrupted, with a sharp glance
at her boisterous daughter. “‘Tis most reassuring. We
feared for your health.”
    “A most misplaced concern, my lady,” Sidley told
her, but he noticed that the disclaimer did not erase the
concern from her face or Miss Ware’s. At least Lady
Katherine’s wide green gaze was untroubled; but then,
nothing much ever appeared to trouble the girl.
    “I was so glad that you-all of you-could attend last night,” she said. “Mama had given up on you,” she added,
at which Lady Formsby looked her disapproval. “But
I told her you were sure to come, as you’d promised! I
do hope you sampled some of our chef’s supper. Oh, but
you could not have had time! The music was delightful,
nonetheless, was it not? I believe Lord Benjamin still
owes me that dance,” she said, and she paused to grin roguishly at Benny, who went red to his ears.

    As additional callers were announced and welcomed,
Sidley walked over to Marian Ware, who had retreated
to a window alcove. She examined his face with a thoroughness that very nearly undid him.
    “You are quite well, then, my lord?” she asked.
    “Quite. Or at least-as well as the usual.”
    “Yes. Yes, I see” She bit her lower lip, which action
had the unfortunate effect of drawing his attention.
    “Miss Ware,” he said abruptly, “we must do something about your painting.”
    “Do something, my lord?” She smiled. “Do you urge
me to improve?”
    “You must not languish in parlors.”
    “You refer to-?”
    “Your work, which should be exhibited.”
    “Those paintings were gifts to my cousins.”
    “If you have others, they should not be tucked into
dark corners.”
    “I am most flattered, Lord Sidley. But you do me too
much honor.”
    “Nonsense!” He struck his cane forcibly upon the floor. Immediately he regretted it. He kept his gaze on
the rest of the startled company as he spoke tensely, and
very low, to Miss Ware. “There are few women who are
painters. You are one of them. You must permit me to
aid you.”

    “Aid me?” And for a second she looked all of the uncomprehending twenty that she was. “Why, my lord?
Because of-because of Lady Katherine?”
    Marian watched the impatience creep into Sidley’s
gaze.
    “Lady Katherine! What has she to do with anything?”
    Fortunately, this rather rude response was not audible enough to be overheard.
    “Really, my lord, I thought that you and she-that
if you harbored plans..
    “I harbor no plans, Miss Ware. You must put