Lord Sidley's Last Season Read Free Page A

Sidley?”
    He laughed. “I decided some time ago ‘twas far better
to entertain than to crave entertainment.” He tapped his
cane lightly upon the floor. “Well, ‘tis only an interlude.
We are the miracle of the moment, to be supplanted, I
assure you, by supper time.” And while Marian was reflecting that he, at least, was most unlikely to be supplanted in so short a time, his gaze moved beyond her.
“Ah, fair Lady Katherine..
    Marian heard the speculation in his voice, and wondered if Sidley had some particular interest in Katie.
Certainly his attention focused on her with a measuring
regard. For all her cousin’s beauty and liveliness, Marian
had never once felt envious of her. But, given Sidley’s
close scrutiny, she was uncomfortably aware that the
emotion now threatened. With that disturbing recognition, Marian watched Sidley bow to her cousin.
    “I must take my leave, Miss Ware. Do not forget that
Pinxton awaits your orders. I suspect he will be most
eager to oblige you.”

    “But”-Marian glanced in some confusion at the
open volume-“but what do you wish, my lord?”
    “I wish what you wish, Miss Ware,” he said, smiling
as he held her gaze. Then he was strolling away-how
he managed that while hiding a limp, she could not
fathom-and was soon lost in the crowd.
    “Oh, Marian!” Katie gushed, reaching her and taking her arm. “I could not believe it! You were speaking
with Sidley!”
    “Yes.” Though what had passed seemed somewhat
more than speaking. “Yes,” she repeated without enthusiasm.
    “If I did not know you very well, Marian,” Katie said
slyly, “I might think you very naughty!”
    “Do not speak so, Katie. You never used to”
    And Katie had the good grace to bite her lip. But she
still wanted to know what had been said, which Marian described as mere pleasantries. In all truthfulness,
though, she had to acknowledge that Lord Sidley had
distinguished Katie by describing her as “fair.”
    “Really?” Katie asked archly, which Marian found
she could not quite like. She had to attribute her cousin’s
surprise to Sidley’s acknowledgment, because Katie had
always accepted the fact. Given her pale golden curls,
lovely green eyes, and engaging, vivacious manner, she
was well used to attention and praise.
    Katie had come inside merely to collect Marian, as
Hatchards’s riches held little to distract her, the more so
once she realized that Lord Sidley and his company had left the premises. In any event, Lady Formsby awaited
them in the carriage. Marian did remember to let a relieved Mr. Pinxton know that the volume in question
would suit Lord Sidley admirably; she had determined
that such a book would grace any gentleman’s library,
and that Sidley should be made to pay for his folly in
charging her with a decision.

    Katie relayed an enthusiastic report to her mother of
Marian’s encounter, concluding with the bold claim
that she had decided to invite Lord Sidley to her ball.
    Lady Formsby ignored the comment and turned her
attention to Marian.
    “What did you think of him, then, my dear?” she
asked. “Have his manners improved? ‘Tis unusual that
he should have spoken to you, much less tasked a stranger
in such a way”
    “He is a most … curious gentleman.”
    “‘Curious’?” Katie scoffed. “Surely you cannot
mean you find anything to disapprove in him?”
    “I am hardly in a position to disapprove of Lord Sidley, Katie. But, no, I believe … that there is something
rather perplexing about him. And that perhaps … well,
I believe that perhaps he meant to be kind, Aunt,” Marian said, with sudden understanding, though she did not
explain.
    “‘Kind’?” In the evening dimness inside the carriage
Marian could feel Edith’s frown. “Did you think he
looked well?”
    “Well? Oh, yes. Very.” She blushed, remembering how very well he had looked in that fine coat. “He
looked very … well”

    “But did you