Page 7 of Black and Silver

“A thousand guineas,” Loesser reminded Lawrence. “I could use the commission for a sale like that.”

Lawrence let out a sigh, lowering his shoulders. Loesser had a point. A thousand guineas would not make or break him one way or another, but for a man who lived on such close margins as Loesser, it could mean a great deal.

“Alright,” Lawrence said with a shrug. “I do not suppose it could hurt to visit Wiltshire and inquire whether Lady Wimpole still possesses the statue.”

“Good man,” Loesser said, reaching across the counter to thump Lawrence’s arm. “I knew you’d be willing to help a friend out.”

“Yes,” Lawrence said with a smile.

Deep down, however, he wondered if his willingness to go out of his way for the benefit of others was one of the reasons so many people considered him to be so simple. One way or another, time would tell.

Chapter Three

Few things truly shocked Minnie. She’d seen more than her fair share of despicable behavior, bad manners, and cruelty in her lifetime. And that was just from her family. She herself lived a life that was considered outlandish by most of theton.

Seeing the wicked sculpture in the art broker’s office, and then learning that it had been created by Lord Lawrence Godwin himself shocked her in a way few things had. Never in all her days would she have expected such a mild-mannered, kind, and distinguished gentleman like Lord Lawrence to be capable of creating something that was not only erotic, it was magnificently accomplished and really quite beautiful.

“You have talent,” she complimented Lord Lawrence once they were in the carriage, finally making their way out of London along the western road.

“Hmm?” Lord Lawrence hummed, dragging himself out of his contemplation of the scenery they passed as he stared out the window. Or, more likely, pulling himself from all-encompassing thoughts.

“I merely observed that you have exquisite talent in sculpting,” Minnie said, hugging herself tighter, as the carriage hadn’t completely warmed up yet.

“Oh,” Lord Lawrence said with a small smile. “Thank you. While all of my brothers and cousins were intent on attending university to broaden their education in the classics and in land management, or, in Alden’s case, in herpetology, all I wanted to do was draw and play with clay.”

Something about the way he said that, the hunch of his shoulders and the sheepish look that accompanied the self-effacing gesture had Minnie certain there was much more to the story than met the eye. Just as she was certain there was more to the story of why the former Lady Wimpole in Wiltshire was in possession of an erotic sculpture he had fashioned.

“I studied mathematics at Oxford,” Minnie said when Lawrence didn’t seem keen to keep the conversation going. “Mostly as they applied to financial matters.”

Lawrence’s brow shot up, and he sat a little straighter. “I would have thought you would study poetry and exotic works of literature from far-distant lands,” he said.

“I studied a bit of that,” Minerva said with a nod. “But as delightful as sad ballads and tales of woe from the orient are, they do not assist one in making wise investments and providing independent financial security.”

Lawrence’s expression registered surprise again, which made him look like a man of half his years. Minnie knew from her association with the Godwin family through her friends that Lawrence was the middle of Lord Gerald’s three sons, and that he was about fifty years of age, but even the streaks of silver in his dark hair couldn’t disguise his youthful spirit.

“Are you financially independent?” he asked, his curiosity clearly genuine and not at all disapproving.

“I am,” Minnie nodded. “I have been quite successful in investing in shares of ships trading with the American colonies, though now that they are rumbling for independence, I intend to redirect my investments elsewhere.”

“How extraordinary,” Lord Lawrence said. Minnie could see that he actually meant it, unlike most men she discussed her financial adventures with.

“I have no intention of being dependent on anyone for my position in life,” she said with a shrug. “Least of all a husband.”

Just thinking the word “husband” cast her mind back to her escape from a wedding she had not wanted, and to the possibility that Owen had pursued her to London. She gave a little shiver, then pulled her coat tighter around her arms, using the excuse of the cold to dismiss the gesture.

“Perhaps you would care to ride in the seat beside me?” Lord Lawrence asked carefully. “I see you are chilled, and sitting closer would keep us both warmer.”

“No, thank you, Lord Lawrence,” Minnie said, instinctively suspicious about his reasons for asking. “I am enjoying the view from here.”

It took her a moment or two to realize her words could be taken to mean she wanted to gaze upon Lord Lawrence’s handsome figure as they drove on. She had to admit that he was finely formed, particularly for a man his age. He was tall and broad of shoulders, with a trim waist and very little paunch, unlike most men his age of her acquaintance. His face was pleasingly formed, with strong lines and cheery eyes.

“I mean the view of the countryside out the window,” she corrected herself all the same as she grew warmer at the way Lord Lawrence smiled. “I do so love the way rain bathes the countryside in soft greys.”

“By all means,” Lord Lawrence said with a small nod. “I would not want to impinge on your enjoyment of thecountryside.”

Minerva tensed at the comment and peeked at Lord Lawrence out of the corner of her eye as she pretended to be absorbed in the passing landscape. Any other man of her acquaintance would have pressed the matter, perhaps to the point of forcing her to take a seat by his side. Lord Lawrence had bowed to her wishes so swiftly that she wondered what game he was playing.

As the hours and miles passed, however, Minnie began to wonder if Lord Lawrence had any games up his sleeves at all. He seemed more than content to sit in silence with her, watching the world pass them by as they rolled sedately over muddy roads and past sodden fields and hamlets.

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