Undoing by L L Diamond

Author:L L Diamond [Diamond, L L]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781734278347
Publisher: L.L. Diamond
Published: 2020-03-27T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Elizabeth held her skirts out of the dirt as she alighted the carriage and entered the large building belonging to the British Institution. Before leaving London last Season, she had accompanied Lady Vranes to an exhibition at the Royal Academy, though Laura had indicated on several occasions how much she preferred the winter exhibition at the British Institution since they carried more contemporary art rather than the old masters the Pall Mall location featured in the summer.

“I am pleased you could join me today,” said Lady Vranes, who walked beside her. “I enjoy your society much more than others, and you always have such interesting reasons for liking a painting when I do not. I am only sorry your sister could not join you.”

“My aunt was unwell this morning and sent a note requesting Jane’s aid. My sister is too good to say no.”

Lady Vranes regarded Elizabeth with her head tilted a fraction. “The two of you are not so dissimilar then. You would do the same, would you not?”

“I would, though Jane is much more gracious about it.”

When they entered the first room, Elizabeth surveyed the myriad of paintings hanging on the wall. The works littered every surface and contained such varied subjects: everything from portraits, to histories, to landscapes, to still life all on display for a viewer’s perusal.

She followed her friend to the first painting, a landscape by a man named Turner. Elizabeth studied the sweeping brush strokes and the play of light and colours on the canvas before her. The sky glowed with the rising sun. She was tracing the edge of one of the clouds when a gentle fluttering in her belly made her stop and place her palm against the swell. She held her breath as she stood stock still waiting. Would it happen again? Her heartbeat echoed frantically in her ears. Was that really what she thought it was?

“Lizzy? Are you well?”

She turned to Lady Vranes who watched her instead of the work in front of them. “Yes, I believe the child moved. I felt a slight flutter—really a trifle of a thing.”

Her friend smiled and looped her arm through Elizabeth’s. “That does explain your inattention. I asked what you thought of the painting, and you merely stared at your hand.”

“Forgive me.”

“No need for that. I am certain I would be much the same if it were me. We have never been blessed, but I shall say that if you want him to move again, maybe you should not bestow all of your attention on the possibility. What is that American proverb I once heard? A watched pot never boils?”

Elizabeth let one side of her lips curve. “I like that.” She turned her eyes back to the painting and allowed the scene of fishermen attending their catch on the shore while several large ships loomed in the background settle in her mind. As she had first noted, the setting sun certainly captured the eye—particularly the colours and the way the sunlight seemed to diffuse through the clouds.

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