Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

" A nna, you look sad. Tell me what's wrong, dearest?"

Spying her sister-in-law seated with her head in her hands as she passed the drawing room, Selina deviated from her intention of going upstairs after her ride and instead took a seat beside Anna. "Edward hasn't been unkind?" she asked, gently.

"Unkind?" Anna looked up at Selina, her eyes wide. "Of course not. Edward is never unkind."

"Indeed, when has Edward ever been unkind?" It was her brother who spoke, throwing himself into a chair opposite and putting his feet on the ottoman as he added, combatively, "But if you keep putting ideas into Anna's head, I might have to start acting unkindly and you won't get to visit Chauncy Manor which I'm sure you've always wanted to do, sister dearest."

"Chauncy Manor!" the girls echoed in excitement. For the grand country pile belonged to the handsome war hero Lord Chauncy who'd enthralled the citizens of England with his bravery alongside Nelson several years prior.

"Lord Chauncy has invited us all to stay?" asked Anna, her previously unfocussed expression now bright. Selina often wondered if boredom was her chief affliction. Edward called her mad but Selina thought her one of the most intelligent women she'd met.

"Lord Chauncy has commissioned me to draw his likeness," Edward said, puffing himself up with importance, Selina noted. For he would not speak the obvious truth in front of his wife: that only Selina had the skill to do what Lord Chauncy wished.

"Oh, Edward! You are so clever!" Anna cried, clapping her hands together. "Why, when I saw your watercolour of the lake, I did think it was better than Selina's whereas I had not thought you skilled, as your sister is, in sketching a likeness. But if Lord Chauncy wishes you to draw his likeness then you must have improved considerably."

Selina hid her smile. It would be best not to rile Edward on top of his obvious ire at Anna's ingenuous comments. Edward had no skill in sketching a likeness and she wondered when, and how, he'd couch his request to have Selina accompany him to Chauncy Manor.

Well, if he'd been commissioned to draw Lord Chauncy he had no option but to bring Selina. Edward could not do as Lord Chauncy required and he knew that.

Oh, but she would make the most of this wonderful opportunity!

She looked down at her riding habit. Although five seasons old, she knew she nevertheless cut a dashing figure. But would she take her riding habit? Would there be an opportunity to go out riding?

And what of the rest of her wardrobe?

Did ladies still study the roulades and feathers and frills and furbelows so that they could date another's evening gown to the latest season and then make snide remarks amongst their friends?

She glanced over at Anna who, though small-boned like Selina, had no fashionable wardrobe. Selina wondered if it was convenient for Edward to declare his sweet young wife too unstable to take into society merely so he wouldn't have to admit his inability to provide her with the wardrobe a lady of her standing required.

She realised Edward was admonishing Anna for the last occasion they'd stepped out together which he was using as an excuse not to take her to Chauncy Manor on this occasion.

""Why Anna, you didn't know when to hold your tongue and when to answer when you were being spoken to," he said. "I've never been more embarrassed. Of course I can't risk you scandalising the duke and his guests if I take you. No, Selina will go in your stead. She can tell you all about it when she returns."

Selina bit her look as she sent an anguished look at her sister-in-law. Poor Anna was not mad but she could not go to Chauncy Manor. Not when Edward could only hope to get away with bringing one female—and certainly not a sister unless the invitation specified, which it did not.

"I'll tell you so many wonderful stories, Anna," she said, in the hopes of banishing Anna's justified disappointment. "And I'll make sure you're invited to the next wonderful event to which Edward is invited."

Anna nodded sadly. "But Edward is only ever invited to paint these days. No one ever invites us to be their guests."

Selina wasn't sure how to respond for what Anna said was true.

And Selina had certainly played a large part in the family's fall from grace.

But now was not the time to dwell on the mistakes of the past.

Soon she would draw the Duke of Chauncy's likeness and who knew what other opportunities would arise as a result?