Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill: (Georgian Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Gainsborough could not hide his dismay, for this portrait would not look like those which he was accustomed to painting. It was clear that he wished his sitter would make some concession to fashion.
    Maria had spirit, her husband was not displeased to note. He liked to see a little fire in his goddess; she quite clearly had not taken to Mr Gainsborough; but he was surprised when after the first sitting she came to him, her eyes flashing with an indignation he had never seen before.
    ‘Would you believe it, Edward, that man has given me a grey wig!’
    Edward went to see the portrait and it was true that Gainsborough had sketched in her curly hair with grey impaste.
    The next day, however, Maria told Mr Gainsborough that she had no intention of giving him another sitting. The painter shrugged his shoulders; he would be paid for what he had done and there were many people more important than Mrs Weld of Lulworth who were asking for his services.
    ‘Why,’ said Mr Weld, as the artist drove away from the castle, ‘what a determined young person you are to be sure!’
    Maria laughed. ‘Was I right, Edward, in thinking that you wished for a portrait of your devoted wife?’
    ‘You were indeed.’
    ‘Well, I was determined that you should have that or nothing. Do you imagine I wished Mr Gainsborough to present you with some Court beauty who bore no resemblance to her whom you have honoured with your name.’
    Edward smiled fondly.
    ‘We’ll find an artist who will give me exactly what I want – which is my own Maria.’
    Edward Weld was forty-five – not a great age certainly, but since he did not enjoy good health it occurred to him that the time had come for him to make sure that in the event of his death Maria would inherit all he had, for if he did not make a new will the castle and everything he possessed would go to his brother Thomas.
    He therefore took the first opportunity of going to see his lawyers and instructing them to draft a new will which was to be brought to the castle at the earliest opportunity.
    This was done and delivered at the castle for his signature. He could not resist telling Maria what he had done, so he sent one of the servants to her room and asked her to come to him in the library.
    She came in a riding habit of a most elegant cut, for another thing Maria had learned in France was how to dress to advantage, and as ever Edward was deeply conscious of her beauty.
    ‘Ah, my love, how delightful you look.’
    ‘Such a lovely morning, Edward. I have come to insist that you come riding with me.’
    ‘It will give me great pleasure. But first I have something to show you. I have made a new will.’
    She looked alarmed and he laughed at her. ‘I am not going to die, dearest Maria, simply because I make a will.’
    ‘I hate talk of wills.’
    ‘Bless you. But these things have to be. This will be signed and put away and then we will talk of it no more and I shall have the satisfaction of knowing that should anything happen to me, my Maria is comfortably settled.’
    ‘You are so good to me, dear Edward.’
    He smiled at her fondly and she sat down while he read the contents of the will to her. Apart from a few legacies everything was for her.
    ‘Now,’ he said. ‘The witnesses have to sign. We will get this settled immediately.’
    ‘But then it will be too late to ride. Have you forgotten that the Framptons are coming over from Moreton. There is just time to ride if you have to change. The will can be signed after the Framptons’ visit.’
    Ever ready to please her he put the will into his bureau,locked it and went to change into his riding clothes.
    It was a lovely morning. Galloping across the fields, walking their horses close to the sea, they talked of the Framptons and other friends and new furnishings Maria had decided on for certain rooms in the castle.
    The time passed quickly and soon Maria was reminding him that they must return to the castle if they were to change in time to