Page 14 of A Lady's Propitious Match
CHAPTER 6
“I adore Children of Sir Samuel Fludye.”
Much as Christopher was trying his hardest to focus on his current sketch work, his mind kept traveling back to the previous night, and his magical dance with Clara. That was the highlight of the ball, everything else simply paled into nothingness in his mind.
All he could think about was that lovely ivory colored gown and the feel of Clara’s hand in his. The way that she lit up when talking about the art work of Thomas Lawrence, just like he did. He had never met anyone who was quite like him before.
And for her to love one of Lawrence’s most complex pieces was just wonderful. Children of Sir Samuel Fludye might not have captivated him as much as Pinkie did, but he could understand why others might sink into the beautiful emotions being displayed.
Lady Clara Belmont was truly unlike anyone that he had ever met before. Her grace, quick wit and artistic passions occupied his thoughts and dreams. He was well and truly captivated by her, and could not shake her from his mind however hard he tried.
“Good morning, Christopher.” His mother slid into the room, breaking his reprieve. “I do hope that you will be done with that drawing soon.” She frowned disapprovingly. “The Devereux family will be here soon. Within the hour. I have invited them for tea.”
Christopher contorted his face in horror. “I do not think I need to attend…”
“Do not be so ridiculous.” His mother tutted her disappointment at him. “Of course you must make an appearance at the tea. I am throwing this for you. And Miss Henrietta too, of course. So you can spend more time together.”
Christopher shook his head, but his mother was not about to allow him to escape this.
“You will be there, Christopher, and you shall endeavour to present your most advantageous qualities as well. Just as Graham did when I was throwing such teas for him and Julianna. That wasan admirable match if I do say so myself. The teas really helped move the courtship forwards.”
The comparison needled Christopher. He did not need to be compared to his perfect elder brother and his perfect bride. Least of all when it came to his mother’s matchmaking.
“Fine, I will be there,” he answered grudgingly acknowledging that he had to placate his well meaning but strategising mother. “I will do my best.”
But that did not take the frown off his face. He did not know how he was going to be able to get through this tea date without his emotions shining on his face, just like the subjects in the art work by Thomas Lawrence…
Not that he could think about Thomas Lawrence and Clara while with the Devereuxs. He was going to have to do everything within his power to try and get through this while making his mother proud, even if he was not happy about it.
***
As the Devereux family were shown in to the house almost an hour later, Christopher rose to his feet and bowed during the pleasantries and small talk. As Henrietta curtsied, she shot him a coy glance from underneath her lashes which made him feel a little awkward.
He did not like all the attention that she was lavishing on him because he knew that he could not reciprocate. He had not been able to muster up any interest in her before, but now that he had spent time with Lady Clara, he knew it was not right.
He would never feel that same spark with Henrietta, it was never going to happen.
But she did not seem to understand that.
Henrietta followed Christopher and took a seat right next to him while they all shared tea. She did not seem to mind that her parents were looking at her as she angled her body towards him, leaning in as if he were about to say something utterly fascinating, despite the fact that he had yet to contribute much to the conversation at all.
“I do very much like the attire you are wearing,” she said in a lilted, slightly flirty tone. “You look like you belong in a painting. Perhaps one of your works!”
Remaining proper, Christopher politely nodded in response, but did not reciprocate her familiarity. This was the sort of statement that might come from someone pretending to know all about art, just to please him.
This was nothing like the genuine connection and talk that he’d been lucky enough to have with Clara the night before. He even shifted back ever so slightly to create some distance between Henrietta and himself.
“Oh, Miss Henrietta, maybe Christopher would like to paint you one day,” his mother chirped up, looking at him expectantly. “Would that be nice?”
“I am not really painting portraits at the moment,” Christopher replied quietly. He did not wish to be rude, but he was also trying not to get caught up in more of what he did not understand. “But perhaps if I come back around to that style…”
“I have seen you, sketching faces,” Lenora interjected, either missing the warning in his tone, or pointedly ignoring it. “Could you think of a more beautiful subject to draw than the one sitting right beside you? She is lovely. I can imagine you making a wonderful piece of art.”
Christopher bit down on his bottom lip to try and not snap at his mother for being so interfering. If she was going to carry on this way throughout tea, then he was not sure how much longer he would be able to stand it.
Why was she being this way? Why could she not sit back and allow things to develop naturally? Just because her matchmaking had worked for Graham, did not mean it would work for him too. They could not be more different as brothers if they tried…
***
