Page 42 of Blood and Roses

The banisters had been twisted with greenery and small lights. A large tree had been assembled in the main foyer and looked as if it had sprung up through the marble tiles. Its branches were filled with tiny lights that winked amongst the leaves.

"Not quite on acid," Rosa said as she looked about at the small details. Large candle trees had been positioned along the walls, but their candles remained unlit.

"Eli is going for classy, not flashy. We have eclectic guests coming on the night, and they can be distracted easily," Balthasar admitted.

"You will have fun being the host," Rosa said. "I don't envy you at all."

"What do you think, sir?" Cecily asked as she joined them, looking over the second-floor balcony.

"Very well done. Thank you, Cecily. I'm sure my father will be happy with it," Balthasar said as he looked at his watch. "I am due for my evening ride, but please pass on my thanks to Goode."

"He is determined about those rides of his," Cecily said as they watched him walk away. "I'm starting to think he has a lover meeting him in the forest."

"Out with all the wolves and freezing mist? She would have to be very keen on him," Rosa said, the thought causing an unexpected twinge.

Are you jealous, Rosa? You are dreaming, girl. You don't want that drama.

"I'm going to go and help Vera cook something," she said firmly before heading downstairs to the warmth and distraction of the kitchen.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Rosa's feet were frozen by the time she left the kitchen and made it back to the cottage. The snow always came early at Gwaed Lyn, but this year had been unusually cold. She hadn't had a winter in the country for as long as she could remember and was looking forward to the snow. She lit the lounge room fire before heading upstairs.

Her muscles protested as she twisted her hair up and clipped it before climbing into the shower. She was hurting from hitting the ground after she was bucked off, but thanks to Balthasar, she couldn't see any heavy bruising.

Balthasar. Maybe she should take Eli up on his offer and leave Gwaed Lyn after the Gathering.You are too old to be getting dreamy over some guy because he rescued you all gallantly and he makes suits look pornographic. He's violent and damaged and not for you. You don't do complicated, and he's a Rubik's cube of complicated.

She was rinsing off soap when she heard the door shut downstairs.You probably didn't close it firmly enough when you came in. Eli said she was safe in Gwaed Lyn. But from what enemies? Pearl was off in London, so that threat was neutralizedfor the moment. Rosa turned the shower off, dried herself quickly, and put on a robe before heading downstairs.

"What the hell is going on in here?" she demanded. Her entire lounge room had been rearranged, and an easel, canvas, and paints had been set up. The chaise lounge had been placed in front of the fireplace with a mirror positioned on the hallway table in front of it. Balthasar appeared next to the stairs, his coat over the back of a chair and his sleeves rolled up to reveal strong brown forearms.

"You said Rubens, soVenus at a Mirror," he gestured with the half-filled wine glass in his hand.

"I was joking!" she squeaked.

"I wasn't. I haven't had a new person to paint in years."

"But...I amnotgetting naked in front of you!"

"You were the one that said Rubens, not I," Balthasar said innocently, though his eyes were filled with mischief. "You're lucky I didn't chooseHermit and the Sleeping Angelica."

"You are lucky if I don't throw you out of my house for being an inappropriate creeper."

"I don't know if I should be offended by that or not. I'm a professional artist as your own snooping should have verified. I swear your modesty will remain intact. You will be facing the fire so that I won't see a thing besides your back," he assured.

She took his wine and drank it. "Damn you. I'll do it, but only because I have always wanted a baroque portrait of myself."

"If you like, I can answer any questions about my long life or any of the Wylts that you wish. Will that ease your mind?" Balthasar said.

"Question one: How do you think Eli would feel about this? Doesn't he have rules about the Wylts?"

"Answer one: Eli is not here, and I'm painting a portrait of you as a gift. I'm not feeding off you or seducing you, so he'd be fine with it. Satisfied?"

Rosa walked down into the lounge room and poured herself some more wine. "I suppose. It's not like he is here to find out."

"Now that it's settled, do I have your permission to arrange you?"

"Why do I have a feeling I'm going to regret this?" she asked as she moved to sit on the chaise lounge. "I know this body of mine is built for child rearing, but you had better paint me in some damn flattering light."

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