“The Duchess of Hawksford is merely being generous, as she is a dear friend. I was merely experimenting with the shadows. One might say it is an adequate effort.”
It would not do to tell them that Daniel’s face was too vivid in her memories that she just had to sketch it.
“Adequate?” Lord Heatherstone echoed, leaning toward her. “Lady Lucy, if that is what you consider adequate, imagine if you give it your all. We would be in awe of your future works. It makes me want to have my likeness captured in shadows.”
Even though the statement was given in the midst of a dinner with family and friends, the intention was clear. Lord Heatherstone was flirting with her.
Lucy felt a little spark. Athrill. She thought nobody would take notice of her ever again. Her brother had been overprotective, and her clothes were not meant to encourage attraction. For a moment, she was excited to reply. However, her brother beat her to it.
“I’m afraid my sister’s schedule is quite full this Season,” Joshua declared. He did with it a small smile, keeping his tone light. However, Lucy could hear the finality in his response. “It isn’t just parties that she attends. She is also active in Marsleigh House, with charities and such.”
And such?
What was her brother talking about?
The smile was immediately gone from Lord Heatherstone’s face, the light in his eyes fading.
“Of course, Marsleigh. You are quite right.”
Lucy’s heart sank. If she had her way and if they weren’t conversing in front of other people, she would have stomped her foot. She didn’t like that her brother closed that door for her and made it seem as if she were not capable of handling various activities at once.
She loved drawing and painting. They didn’t tire her at all. In fact, they make her feel alive. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the fork in her effort to control her emotions.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Daniel frown. He had been watching the interaction with interest. His eyes were on Joshua. However, for a moment, they had been trained on her.
“I disagree, Marsleigh,” he interjected. His voice was low, but it somehow reverberated through the room.
Everyone else had gone quiet. All eyes swiveled to him.
Again, he looked in Lucy’s direction.
“Lady Lucy’s skill is not meant to be hidden. It should be nurtured and celebrated. She enjoys sketching. Therefore, it won’t exhaust her, as you seem to suggest. I believe my sisters when they recommend talent. They have an eye for art themselves and would not promote something that is merely adequate. Your sister is humble about her art, but it does not mean she must be stifled.”
Lucy was startled at his words. He seemed sincere, and it made her feel like she had a right to come out of the shadows. There was encouragement in those deep blue eyes. There was even what she dared to interpret as pride.
“Thank you, Your Grace. That’s very kind of you to say,” she said softly.
“I thank you for your lovely sentiment, Your Grace,” Joshua interrupted once more.
Lucy knew that tone. He was holding onto the last vestiges of politeness.
“However, Lady Lucy’s primary concern at the moment is her lovely character. She is not one to preen in front of a crowd. Art is commendable, certainly, but perhaps not the idea of a woman sketching a man. It sounds too intimate for an unmarried woman and man to be a part of. After all, art is a communion of souls, is it not?”
There were a few murmurs of reluctant agreement around the table, although Victoria was openly glaring at him. The moment between Daniel and Lucy was shattered.
The Earl certainly had ways of twisting words to fit his own narrative.
After that, Lucy had become so disheartened that she was no longer interested in the rest of the conversation.
Later in her guest room, she had to commune with the same silence she had learned to live with. Where was the frenzy of activity and planning Joshua had suggested she was involved in?
With her hair loose and flowing down her shoulders, she was comfortable enough. Her nightgown and robe were cozy like a hug that tried to make her forget about the lows of the day. She stared out at the lawn, the green grass illuminated by moonlight and gas lamps.
Her chest hurt; she felt so stifled. Joshua had caged her for far too long, whether he realized it or not.
Before her thoughts could spiral further, she heard a scuffing at the bottom of the door. Her heart leaped in her chest, and her hands grew clammy.
What was that?
