Page 85 of Sinful Persuasion of a Lady in the Making
She took her usual seat, with Luke at her right at one end of the table, and Alison on her left at the other. She stared down at the tablecloth, seeing only Sebastian’s betrayal and not what was in front of her.
Her shoulders were hunched, her hands clasped in her lap, and the room bristled with an uncertain tension. Jenny knew that Luke and Alison were being especially careful about what they said and did, for fear of upsetting her again, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to act more cheerful.
“Cook’s prepared us a lovely chicken pie,” Alison said brightly. “She does have quite a talent for pastry, don’t you think? Always so flaky and rich.”
Jenny smiled and nodded, but she said nothing. Luke, likewise, did not reply, simply watching Jenny carefully instead. She could almost hear their frustrations bubbling through the air.
“You like chicken pie, don’t you, Jenny?” Alison tried again.
“I do.”
“Jenny,” Luke said finally, although he looked away from her, as though he knew she would not like the words he had to say. The ladies fell silent and his voice boomed through the room. “I know that you are saddened by what has happened, as am I. I am dreadfully sorry to see you like this.”
“Thank you.” She looked at him kindly, remembering the loving brother that was buried beneath his stress and hard work. “I appreciate you saying so.”
“But,” Luke continued, and her heart wrenched out of place. “It’s time to move on and find a way past this.”
“I agree,” she said, nodding gently. She glanced at Alison, who looked at her sympathetically. It felt a bit like an ambush—one of love and concern, certainly, but an ambush all the same. Jenny shifted in her seat.
“He’s right, My Dear,” Alison said. “And Thomas’ ball this weekend is just the place to start!”
“A ball!” Jenny gasped, blinking rapidly.
She wanted to move on, of course she did, but a ball so soon? She couldn’t imagine painting on a smile and being polite, among all those who had been so horrid to her before. Surely the rumors would be worse now, not better.
“I did warn you that this would happen,” Luke said, his tone harsher than before. He reprimanded her as though she was a small child, sick on too much sugar. “You should listen to what is good for you. Listen to me, in the future.”
Jenny let out a cry of horror.
“And you should remember that I am neither a child nor your servant,” she snapped back. “And perhaps a little kindness would not go amiss.”
“Luke,” Alison said. “While I do not disagree, you can see how upset your sister is. Perhaps now is not the time?”
They lapsed into an uncomfortable silence as Fanny and the cook came through, carrying their chicken pie, the sides of the plates loaded with new potatoes and gravy. Despite herself, Jenny licked her lips.
“I’d say now is the perfect time,” Luke countered once the servants were out of earshot. “It will be fresh in her mind. Jenny, I know it is a horrible thing to hear—it’s not exactly a nice thing to have to say! But it’s important you understand. I am only trying to prevent further pain and turmoil.”
With that, he picked up his knife and fork and examined his plate, as if deciding which bit of deliciousness he should select first.
Jenny watched open mouthed for a moment, her own plate ignored but for the hot steam rising onto her face. She turned to Alison, who looked back with sadness.
“Do you agree?”
“I’m afraid to say, he’s right,” Alison said, her voice almost a whisper. “We do not want to see you hurt again.”
“Was I really that much of a fool?” Jenny asked, her voice thin and strung out with emotion. She spoke to the table, to the plate in front of her, not directing her words at either her brother or Alison.
“No,” Alison said, her tone soft and comforting. “Not at all.”
“Well, a little,” Luke said, swallowing back his bite of food, and Jenny’s head shot up to meet his gaze. “But that is human nature, isn’t it? They say love makes us all act the fool at times.”
“I could go and see him,” Jenny said, a sudden urgency to her words as she lit upon the idea. “I could find out the real reason for his abandonment, and—”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Alison said, at exactly the same time that Luke roared his disapproval.
“Absolutely not.”
“But if I went to see him, on the weekend perhaps, he could give me some answers to at least understandwhyhe has done this.”
