Lane Steen by Candace West

Author:Candace West [West, Candace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780972509268
Publisher: Ideas to Books
Published: 2019-07-19T06:00:00+00:00

“You do love to read, don’t you? I’m sure you and Grandfather are like two peas in a pod,” said Marcia one afternoon, finding me in the library.

I sat up stiffly. “It’s a hobby of mine,” I replied politely.

Marcia’s lips parted in a disdainful smile. “I’m sure I’ve never liked reading. It’s always such a dreadful bore. I can go to sleep faster reading than anything else. I don’t know how I’ll manage studying this next term. Aunt Marsha says you are a great hand for studying. I might have to ask your help, if you don’t mind.”

The thought of studying with Marcia was not at all pleasant, but I managed to nod. “No, I don’t mind.”

“I know I’m just going to hate the academy.” She sat down beside me with a confidential air.

“Whatever for? I believe it’s going to be a nice place. We’ll meet all sorts of interesting people.”

“Interesting? I don’t know about that, but I’m sure all the girls will be perfectly snobbish toward us.” She wrinkled her nose.

“Why would they be?”

“Because we’re Wallace girls, but don’t you worry one bit. We Wallaces stick together. Everyone knows that.” Her tone implied that I should’ve known that too.

“I’m a Steen, Marcia,” I said calmly.

Marcia laughed, a cool, distant little laugh. “Dear girl, deep down you’re a Wallace. You don’t mean to tell me that you’d still go by that name after all this time?”

I felt my cheeks grow warm. “That’s who I am.” I picked up my book and began to read once more.

“Well, of course, if that’s what you want, you should know best. Now, dear, don’t go and get offended. My, but you’re stubborn!”

“So I’ve been told, but I don’t mind too much.”

“You silly goose! Let’s not quarrel and be friends. After all, we’re family, and you know the saying that blood is thicker than water. Come to think of it, the academy might not be so bad with you and Miss Mansfield.” Primping her pale, lusterless head, she settled herself back against the divan. “I hear that Stephen Curtis is calling on you. Is he really?”

Of all people, I didn’t want to share that with my cousin. “Yes.”

“Even if he’s going to be a journalist? I think he’s a pompous bore.” I was to learn that with Marcia there were many degrees of boredom.

“Stephen is a nice young man dedicated to his work. He isn’t at all dull.”

“He would love to hear you say that. I expect he’ll travel the world once he publishes his ‘great American novel.’” Stephen is forever talking about going new places, but he’s never been out of New York. By the way, I never did catch where you’re from. Georgia, Tennessee, is it?

“I didn’t say.”

“Clever girl! Where are you from?”

Tilting my head to one side, I studied my cousin curiously. “Don’t you know it isn’t ladylike to toss questions at people’s heads? It isn’t at all Wallace-like, don’t you agree?”

A dumbfounded expression crossed her face. “I only wondered.”

“Wondered?” My temper began to rise.

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