A Chance Gone By by Elizabeth Bailey

Author:Elizabeth Bailey [Bailey, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2019-07-23T23:00:00+00:00

Only by a supreme effort of will did Marianne refrain from leaping from her seat once again and running out of the breakfast parlour. Bad enough to have to endure a discussion of her potential future. To listen to Lady Luthrie outlining Justin’s could only serve to increase the suppressed agitation under which she laboured.

Following the row with Grace, the night had been hideous with unquiet dreams through the little time she managed to sleep at all. She’d never before known her cousin to give herself over to hysterical rage. Even now she was hard put to it to recognise what had prompted the outburst. Was there some underlying fear? Of loneliness perhaps?

Her thoughts were feverish, but she was not permitted to indulge them in the face of Lady Luthrie’s determination.

“I have made it my business to discover the extent of the damage caused by your erstwhile betrothed, my dear Justin.”

He did not look to be gratified. The reverse rather, for Marianne noted a familiar spark in his eye.

“Have you indeed, Aunt? How?”

Lady Luthrie looked a trifle smug. “I have my sources. Besides, Lady Sessay and I are old friends.”

“Yes, I am aware.”

An edge to Justin’s voice caught Marianne’s attention. Did he know then that his aunt had been instrumental in the making of the match? Grace had told Marianne as much when she’d delivered the blow in the first place years ago. Typically, his aunt picked it up.

“You need not look askance, my dear boy. I knew nothing of Selina’s preferences, and she was besides a child at the time.”

“I am aware of that too.”

“Well, that is all beside the bridge and we must concentrate on the present.”

At this point, Grace cut in. “What in the world are you at, Philippa? We all know the consequences of that wretched creature’s actions. And you, all of you, insisted upon my remaining in Town to endure the slights. I was never more mortified!”

“But only look how well it has answered, Grace. The clever tale set about has largely been accepted. Caroline tells me there have even been sighings on the romance of Selina’s elopement with her true love and Purford’s noble action in releasing her.”

An explosive snort from the end of the table caused her to add, “Yes, Justin, idiocy, but what would you? It serves our turn. And you will own, Grace, that your daughter has suffered no ill effects.”

Jocasta jumped in, gurgling with delight. “The reverse, if anything. I have become quite the rage, Mama, you know I have.”

The Dragon, not much to Marianne’s surprise, was quick to take this up. “Lady Jocasta, that remark is quite unbecoming.”

“But true,” Justin cut in swiftly, casting his sister a quick smile.

“Yes, and I am ready to wager Aunt Pippa is right about you too, Justin. Any number of girls will be ready to have you throw the handkerchief.”

“Well, as I am not about to throw any handkerchiefs, we shall never know.”

“Of course he is not,” snapped Grace. “No one could expect it of him.

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