Laurie's Painter (sweet Regency romance) by Alice M. Roelke Read Free Book Online Page B

casual
voice. "Tell me about them." Tell me about her , she may as
well have said. Laurie wanted to smile, but he didn't dare. How could he tell
his mother how serious things were between him and Jenny when he didn't even
know himself?
    "They live very
poorly, without even a servant, though they are gently born and bred. He's very
proud, but she seems quite accepting of her reduced circumstances. I feel
certain that she would not have much in the way of enjoyment even if she wasn't
always caring for an ill brother. I would like her to have a good time, and her
brother a restful one," Laurie finished, watching her keenly for her
reaction.
    He could almost see his
mother grappling first with the distasteful object of playing hostess to the
impoverished Wilkenson girl, then with the pleasing notion that Laurie might
finally wed and produce a grandchild.
    The grandchild won.
    "I will be very
pleased to do all in my power to take care of them," said Mother.
    "You are the best. I
knew you would."
    They exchanged a smile,
and hers was less chilly and more genuine than he had seen in some months. The
deeper things beneath the conversation they left unsaid, but he felt they
understood one another adequately. If he cared for Jenny, his mother would not
stand in the way. She felt the hint of possibility for something more between
him and the reduced sister, and to her, that Jenny was poor could be overcome
by gentle birth, respectability, and Laurie's interest in her.
    His mother seemed content,
and he didn't doubt she would be all he could wish in a hostess. He rose,
bussed her cheek, and enquired cheerily about supper.
    He managed to tease her a
bit more before his visit ended, and she pretended to dislike it, but Laurie
could see she had missed him and would not have minded if he stayed longer in
these short, weary winter days.
    But Laurie had a mission
to complete back in town. He waited for a pleasant, cold day with a clear sky
to drive himself back and then did so, waving heartily and smiling, ignoring
his mother's well-meant scolds about catching his death.
    ~*~
    Jenny pinched the hot
bread from the end of the toasting fork and quickly turned it around, speared
it again, shook out her hot fingers, and extended the fork back toward the
small fire burning behind the grate. She looked at her brother slumped in a
chair as she stuck her hot fingers into her mouth to cool them.
    Today had been an especially
difficult day for Henry. The young boy he was supposed to be painting was worn
out and fractious from lack of sleep, the tight blue outfit his mother had
forced upon him, and too many sweets. It was nearly Christmas, and the parents
were in a hurry to have the boy's portrait done by then to show his extended
family. But the child was less than cooperative and had a tendency to squirm.
    Henry had come home weary
to the bone and rather fractious himself. Jenny did her best to soothe him with
tea and sympathy, and made him change into dry clothes (for it was a wet day,
sopping with half-melted snow), and then sit in front of the fire.
    She didn't even allow him
to use the toasting fork to make them a snack, fearing that any effort at all
would be too much for him after today. So he sat and stared at the flames
whilst she made the toast. They had no butter to add to it, nor jam, they being
low on blunt at present. (Henry had refused early payment from Laurie—at least
until it was closer to the time he would do the painting.) But hot toast, even
without anything on it, would still taste warm and homey on a cold day, eaten
whilst seated close by the fire.
    They talked a little, but
mostly sat in silence. Henry felt too weary to be good company, but Jenny was
simply glad to have him home. She worried about her brother on winter days, so
cold and so quickly dark. And him not strong at all.
    Someone knocked at the
door. She jumped up quickly before he could bestir himself and try to answer
it. "I'll get it!" said Jenny quickly, before her