Read Shades of the Past for Free Online

the others found their places.
    Majel, acting as hostess, entered last on the arm of the aged Earl Silverbrooke, the highest ranking man present, after the host.  She took her seat at the table's far end in the hostess’ place of honor.  Vanessa observed Lawrence moving to join Majel there and was mindful of his own expectations this day.  Had it not been for the viscount's arrival, Lawrence would now be presiding over the funeral feast.
    Cissy and Lord Henry drew Vanessa's attention as they settled directly across from her.  Meanwhile, servants helped Sir Fotheringgay, the Marrable's octogenarian cousin, many times removed, into the chair to Vanessa's immediate right.  He gave her a genial nod, then bent to inspect the array of silver flanking his plate and began counting it.
    As Lord Marrable seated himself, Cissy leaned toward her brother, wearing a slightly crooked smile.  "I see you're still defying convention, Adrian."  She spoke in a low, mischievous tone, sending a glance to Majel and Earl Silverbrooke at the table's opposite end.  "Fortunate for you, the earl has no wife, though I'm not certain Countess Hove will soon forgive you."
    Vanessa's stomach did a somersault.  She realized, as a matter of precedence, the countess should have been the viscount's dining partner, being the lady of highest rank attending.  Once more, Vanessa found herself where she did not belong.  And though the viscount, himself, had bid her join him, she'd usurped a privileged place.  Vanessa pressed her lashes shut.  True, she was born to the gentry, but she was likely the least ranking guest in the hall.
    "Vanessa, dear, don't be alarmed," Cissy heartened as if reading her thoughts.  "Adrian will enjoy your company far more than Countess Hove's." 
    Startled by the comment, Vanessa quickly glanced up at Cissy, but found she'd already turned to her brother, eyes twinkling.
    "Oh course, you might have allowed Henry or me to properly present Vanessa to you before capturing her away to yourself.  Naughty man, you best not have smutched her reputation.  Auntie would never forgive you, nor shall I.  Vanessa is an absolute gem."
    Vanessa's cheeks flamed with embarrassment.  She had grown supremely fond of Lady Gwen's convivial niece and was flattered by her words, but what was she about at the moment?
    Cissy opened her mouth to speak again but Lord Marrable leveled her a quelling look.  Cissy instantly quieted, but in the next instant, broke into a wide, irrepressible grin.
    In keeping with the formality of the occasion, a retinue of servants attended the guests, stationed several paces behind their chairs.  The butler maintained his position directly behind the viscount, coordinating the entire affair—ringing in each course with timed precision, ensuring his staff's smooth efficiency, and seeing to the viscount's personal needs.
    Polite conversation flowed along the table as the courses arrived, beginning with the soup and fish dishes—a consommé and poached salmon.  Majel received praise for the selections, and Lawrence for the wines, all drawn from a list of Lady Gwendolyn's favorites and served in her memory. 
    Lord Marrable remained silent as Cissy took it upon herself to spur conversation and keep alive an active exchange.  They made their way through the meat dishes with conversation centered around fond memories of Lady Gwendolyn and humorous incidents from the Marrables' childhood years.  Much was made of how Lady Gwen would mercilessly dress them in costumes and pose them for hours for her "allegorical" photographs.
    As the servants cleared the soiled dishes and refreshed the wine, Cissy aimed a number of comments directly at Lord Marrable, in an obvious effort to coax him from his silence.
    "If you don't know it brother, Vanessa was great friends with Auntie as well as her companion.  She was also Auntie's personal protégée."
    The viscount's gaze slipped to Vanessa then back to his sister.  "Few escaped