The Stepsister's Triumph Read Online Free PDF Page B

too much.”
    Miss Sewell sighed and looked from Adele to Helene. “I do know something about Madelene’s family and her circumstances. I have certainly seen how her father’s family treats her when they are in public together. I can’t help but believe it would be a very good thing if she renewed her relationship with her cousin. Then she would have a close connection who cares about her, not her money.”
    â€œAnd what about Lord Benedict?” Adele said. “You noticed him and Madelene at the exhibition, didn’t you?”
    â€œAdele!” Helene cried. “You said you’d leave it alone.”
    â€œI never did.” Adele lifted her chin. “I said I wouldn’t bring it up in front of Madelene.”
    â€œMatchmaking is undignified and degrading to all parties concerned.”
    â€œGirls,” interrupted Miss Sewell sternly. “We do not have the luxury of quarrelling among ourselves.”
    Helene’s eyes narrowed as she looked to Adele. “Adele believes that Madelene has feelings for Lord Benedict Pelham.”
    â€œI suspect Adele is right,” Miss Sewell replied. “And that is why this idea of a painting is so perfect. It would work to help make the party a success, but more than that, if Madelene can be persuaded to be the subject, it will give her the opportunity to find out if her feelings, and Lord Benedict’s, are genuine.”
    â€œNo,” declared Helene. “Absolutely not. Her cousin is one thing. I agree that reestablishing the family connection could be beneficial, but this other . . . I do not like it.”
    â€œHow about this?” said Adele. “I’ll get my brother Marcus to talk to Lord Benedict. They’re friends after all. That way if he refuses us, it’s my fault, not hers.”
    Helene waved the suggestion away. “It’s still us pushing her at him. That is not just unseemly, it’s unkind. I won’t have any part of it.”
    â€œBut maybe they’ll fall in love, Helene.” Adele’s hand strayed to her gold necklace. “What could be better for Madelene than a loving marriage? James . . . Monsieur Beauclaire says Lord Benedict’s a good man. He’s honest, he doesn’t drink to excess, or gamble, or anything of that kind. He’s a bit older, of course . . .”
    â€œTen years older,” muttered Helene. “Not a point in his favor.”
    â€œAn older gentleman might suit Madelene,” Miss Sewell said.
    â€œAn older man who has already been married?” Helene snapped. “To an infamous woman who died under mysterious circumstances? Do we think that will suit her as well?”
    â€œHe was destroyed when his wife died,” Adele said. “That’s what James says, anyway. He nearly . . . did himself an injury.”
    â€œWhich explains the crowd at the gallery,” Helene said. “Ghouls.”
    â€œProbably, but there were some genuine connoisseurs as well,” Miss Sewell said. “I was counting noses. No, on balance, I think that Madelene sitting for Lord Benedict would be of benefit all around. However, I also think we may step back and let Madelene decide how she will proceed, if she will proceed.”
    â€œHow very kind of us,” sniffed Helene. Adele elbowed her sharply. Helene glared at her and, in a single motion, scooped up her pile of notebooks and stalked out of the room.
    â€œOh dear.” Adele jumped to her feet and made to go after her. “She’s going to ruin everything.”
    But Miss Sewell laid a restraining hand on her protégé’s arm. “Helene will do the right thing. As she pointed out, she does know Madelene better than either of us.”
    Adele bit her lip and stared stubbornly after her friend. But in the end, she just sighed and plunked herself down in the chair. “I know, I know. I just wish sometimes she