Page 22 of A Duke for Hire

Theo’s lips twitched into a sad smile.

“Very well. Let us focus on the evening then; we are missing the art. That is why we are here after all.”

Seraphina nodded, and as one, all of them began their walk once again through the gallery. It was a nature display from a wide variety of artists, all of whom held a title of some sorts. Some were very good, Seraphina thought, while others were quite underwhelming, making it clear that titles, not talent, could lead someone to fame.

“Miss Seraphina,” a man’s voice called a time later.

Seraphina turned from a particular painting that had caught her attention, and saw Lord Fellon by her side. She glanced around her, and was surprised to find that her friends had wandered off to a different art piece. How long had she gotten lost among the pines of the painting? Their vivid green needles entwined by dawn’s early fog drew her in, promising peace. But that was no excuse for losing track of her actual surroundings.

“Lord Fellon, how pleasant to see you,” she greeted politely, dipping into a curtsey.

The gentleman gave her a curt bow, and nodded toward the painting.

“You seem quite taken by this one. I believe I stood here for quite some time without your notice.”

Seraphina blushed deeply.

“Please accept my apologies, my Lord, I meant no offense,” she replied quickly.

“Of course not,” he agreed politely. “Though I may be slightly disappointed that you have not found such interest in my painting.”

Her eyebrows drew up in surprise.

“You have a piece on display?”

“Oh, yes,” he replied proudly. “One that is much better than this one. Come, I will show you if you like.”

Seraphina nodded in agreement and let him lead her toward another part of the gallery. Immediately Lord Fellon began to tell her of his passion for the arts. She tried, in vain, to find what he said interesting, but her mind kept going back to the previous painting, and the familiarity it stirred in her.

“Here we are,” he announced, stopping in front of a large canvas encased in a gold frame. “Nowthis,is art. Would you not agree?”

Seraphina glanced up at the painting readily, wanting any reason to be other than quiet, but she felt a sweeping disappointment as she saw nothing but a horizontal blend of grays swiped along the canvas. Underneath it, on a rather large gold plaque, read the Lord’s name in bold letters.

“It is…most interesting, Lord Fellon,” she offered carefully. “Will you tell me what inspired it?”

Lord Fellon scoffed.

“Is it not obvious to you?” He asked.

Seraphina’s cheeks flushed as she felt a tinge of embarrassment. Though she’d had a rushed education of sorts, nothing she’d learned brought to pull meaning out of the rather bland painting.

“I am afraid I am not as versed in the arts as you are, my Lord,” she said with a faint laugh.

Lord Fellon smiled at her as if she were an unschooled child, then answered, “Fear not, I shall educate you. This, Miss Seraphina, is a representation of both the dawn and my soul.”

Seraphina’s brows flew up as she glanced from the painting to the young Lord.

“How- fascinating,” she replied, forcing a smile. His proud smile widened.

“Yes it is, isn't it?” He remarked. “Tell me, what do you like about it?”

Seraphina struggled to find her words as the man looked on at her in anticipation.

“It is…well I suppose it has-”

“Miss Seraphina, I thought that was you.”

A tingle traveled down Seraphina’s spine as she heard a deep, familiar voice say her name. She felt a smile pull at her lips as she turned toward it and found the Duke of Merrivale.

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