Page 33 of A Sense of Injustice
Louise laughed. ‘No, I did not see him. Nor did I expect to. And you shouldn’t he aiming that high either.’
‘I am not. I get tongue-tied when I am anywhere near him, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t noticed how handsome he is. And how eligible. I expect he will fall madly in love with you, though. You are so very sophisticated and always seem to know what to say in awkward situations.’
The comment made Louise realise how young and immature her sister still was. It also infused her with guilt. She should have insisted upon having her come up to London last season so that she could at least have enjoyed her share of the entertainment.
‘Hardly,’ Louise replied.
‘I have only met the earl on a few occasions. Last night and once before when Grandmamma was invited to dine and I was included in the invitation. Most of our neighbours think I am still too young to be out.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘My invitations to Beranger Court would have been the countess’s doing. She and Grandmamma are the greatest of friends, but I expect you already know that. Miss Latimer has worked wonders with the countess. Everyone says so. Grandmamma told me that she was delighted when she heard that the earl had appointed a clergyman’s daughter as her new companion. She frightened all her predecessors away with her sharp tongue, you see, and no one thought that Miss Latimer would last more than a week. But none of the countess’s usual tactics have shocked Miss Latimer so far, and now they get along very well.’
‘Yes, so she tells me.’
‘I don’t think the earl has noticed me at all when I have been in his house.’ Marianne wrinkled her nose. ‘Well, if he has I’m sure he simply dismissed me as a silly girl. I certainly didn’t attempt to attract his attention.’
‘I should think not.’
Marianne leaned her chin on her fisted hand. ‘I have been reading about these things. About how to attract the attentions of a gentleman. Well, I have to learn somehow,’ she protested, when Louise elevated her brows. ‘It’s not as if I could ask Grandmamma. I don’t like to shock her.’
Louise laughed. ‘Grandmamma was young once.’
‘Yes, but that was a long time ago, I expect things are different now.’
Louise shook her head, holding back a smile at her sister’s naiveté. ‘Some things never change.’
‘Well, I didn’t ask her and I had no one else to turn to.’ She grinned. ‘So I scoured Grandmamma’s library. I had no idea that it covered such a wide range of subjects.’
Louise touched her sister’s hand. ‘I should have made more of an effort to be with you.’
‘It’s not your fault if I wasn’t wanted.’
‘Oh, Marianne…’
Louise felt guilt wash over her. Her sister had been treated shabbily by their father and neglected by Louise. The sisters had corresponded, but that was hardly the same thing. And yet Marianne seemed perfectly content—lively and inquisitive, with boundless energy and an innate sense of curiosity. She was obviously delighted to be reunited with Louise, and her generosity of spirit allowed no room for resentment.
‘When shall you return to London?’ Marianne asked.
‘Tired of my society already?’
‘Not in the least. I wish you would stay forever, but your life and your friends are all in the capital, and you will doubtless find us all as dull as ditch water.’
‘Would you like to come up next season?’
Louise didn’t know why she had issued the invitation when she was unsure if she would be there herself. A guilty conscience? A desire to overcompensate for their father’s unreasonable behaviour? An overriding need to protect her sister from the sorts of temptations that she herself had fallen victim to? Perhaps a combination of all three.
‘Our aunt would not welcome me.’ Marianne turned away and the gaiety left her expression. Her injured feelings, it seemed, were still close to the surface.
‘It is nothing to do with our aunt. The house is mine, and by next season I shall be of age and therefore free to do as I please.’ She squeezed Marianne’s arm. ‘And it just so happens that being with you pleases me very much indeed.’
‘Even so. Aunt Bess makes me uncomfortable. She has a very sharp tongue and makes little effort to disguise the fact that she dislikes me.’
‘Well, I do not dislike you. I am very pleased with you indeed.’
Marianne turned back to Louise, her smile it place once more. ‘Don’t worry. I never permit anything to get me down for long. It’s just the way I am. I suppose I take after Grandmamma. It stands to reason that I would. She is the only adult I have ever had daily contact with. She takes life as it comes and has always told me that it does no good to dwell upon things which cannot be altered.’
‘There will be alterations in your life soon enough. Papa left all of his fortune to me, as you know. That seems grossly unfair and I fully intend to settle a large portion of it on you.’
‘Oh, Louise!’ Marianne’s pretty face lit up with cautious pleasure. ‘You don’t have to do that.’
‘Perhaps not, but I want to. There is more than enough for us both, and if Papa had been a fair man he would have left us equal shares.’
