Page 65 of Sinful Persuasion of a Lady in the Making
“I shall look forward to seeing her soon,” Alison said. “I take it she knows about the wedding?”
“I—” Sebastian froze, looking at each of them in turn, and Jenny felt a jolt of nerves. She had no doubt of Lady Diana’s feelings for her, but she silently prayed that Sebastian had at least calmed the waters.
“Well?” Luke asked, turning sharply to Sebastian.
“She knows, yes,” he said, then he cleared his throat and looked down at his tea, murky with milk.
“And, from your uncertainty, I take it she does not approve?” Luke asked.
“Luke, please,” Jenny hissed.
“You don’t have to answer that,” Alison said, putting a placating hand on the table and leaning toward Sebastian.
“It’s all right, Mrs. Jones, really,” Sebastian said, his eyes soft and kind. “We shall all be family soon enough, and it’s always best to be open with one’s family, isn’t it?” He turned and looked back at Luke. “My sister is a dear lady. It’s true, she has some reservations, but I know for certain that she and Miss Jones will become great friends, given the time. Lady Diana has not always had it easy, and now, sometimes, she has some resistance to change. She will accept it, and she will not cause us any trouble.”
“It strikes me,” Luke said, “that you are trying to get married before your unwed older sister, leaving her an old spinster while you get on with your life.”
“Luke!” Alison gasped.
“That’s not true,” Sebastian urged. “I would dearly love for Diana to be married, and I will do everything in my power to ensure she lives a long and happy life.”
“But then why—”
“That’s very honorable of you, Lord Hartwood,” Alison said, shooting Luke a warning glance.
“She seems like a very genuine person,” Jenny said, smiling at Sebastian. He smiled back, the sparkle returning to his eyes.
“Thank you,” he said. “She is. You will like her a lot, I believe.”
“I have no doubt that she will find a husband soon,” Jenny added.
“I do hope so,” Sebastian said, his tone genuine, a touch of hope mixed with a little sadness. “I believe she has some options but, as you know, she is—”
“Old?” Luke asked. Sebastian suppressed an unamused smirk and nodded.
“A little past the traditional age for marriage, yes,” he admitted. “She has a lot to offer any husband, though. She would make a wonderful wife, given the opportunity.”
“Well there’s a challenge for us then,” Alison said with a chuckle.
“A challenge?” Sebastian asked, confused, but Alison looked over at Jenny and grinned.
“I have just had the best idea,” Alison gushed.
“What?” Jenny asked, turning to her, grateful she changed the subject.
“Why don’t we organize a dinner party? We can hold it here a—”
“I love that idea,” Jenny cried. “Lord Hartwood? Do you think Lady Diana would attend?”
“I am sure she will,” Sebastian said. “And I agree. It’s a wonderful idea.”
“And we should invite Lord Denninson,” Alison said, wide-eyed with excitement.
“Oh yes,” Jenny gushed. “Let’s!”
All three of them turned to look at Luke, hopeful and pleading.
Luke sighed, rolled his eyes, and then chuckled. “All right,” he said. “Let’s arrange it for this weekend.”
