Too Close to the Sun by Jess Foley

Author:Jess Foley [Foley, Jess]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2010-07-13T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The following week Sophie was brought to and fetched from Asterleigh House by hired cab. The lessons proceeded as usual; the child worked hard and still seemed happy and contented with the arrangements. On three of the evenings Grace went to see Mrs Spencer. On the Tuesday they began a game of chess, but Grace could see that Mrs Spencer’s heart was not in it, and before long it was abandoned. For most of the rest of the time they chatted and worked with their needles, Grace sewing and mending clothes either for herself or Billy, and Mrs Spencer at her embroidery. Most of Grace’s evening time, however, was spent with Billy. During the whole week she saw nothing of Mr Spencer.

Then, on the Friday, Mr Fairman himself brought Sophie for her lessons. On this occasion, having seen their arrival from the library window, Grace expected to see the carriage drive away again. But it did not happen. Going to the library door she got there just as Sophie came along the landing towards her. Sophie wished Grace a good morning, then added that her papa had gone to call on Mrs Spencer for morning coffee. Forty minutes later there drifted up the sound of a horse and carriage moving on the gravel, and Sophie got up from her chair at the table and ran to the window. ‘It’s Papa, driving away,’ she said, and waved, trying to attract his attention. ‘Ah, he doesn’t see me,’ she sighed. ‘Still, he’ll be back soon.’

A minute later came a tap at the door and Jane was there, asking if Grace could go and see Mrs Spencer in her studio.

Grace left Sophie working and went along the landing to her mistress’s studio where she found her standing with her face to the window. She turned as Grace entered, and Grace could see at once that it was one of her better days. She was not, however, dressed in her smock for painting. Beside her on the tall easel was the unfinished portrait of Grace.

‘Hello, Grace,’ she said as Grace entered, then with a gesture towards the canvas, ‘I’ve been showing your portrait to Mr Fairman. I mentioned to him that I’d begun a painting of you, and he was most insistent that I show it to him.’ She looked back at the painting, head a little on one side, studying it. ‘He seemed quite taken with it, and said I should set about finishing it.’

Grace stood beside her mistress and looked at the picture, seeing herself gazing out from the canvas frame.

‘Edward has said often that I should finish it,’ Mrs Spencer went on. ‘He says it’s one of the best things I’ve done,’ and corrected herself with a little laugh, ‘ – or rather, one of the best things I’ve almost done.’ She turned to Grace. ‘What do you think?’

‘Oh, I like it very much, ma’am. And you know I’ll be happy to sit for it again whenever you like.’

‘Yes, I have no doubt of that, my dear.

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