Page 24 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

They reached Drake’s bedchamber, where the portrait of his father hung, a wistful expression crossing her mother’s features once more.

Victor stepped closer to the large painting. “Hmm. You look like him, Your Grace. There’s a playfulness about the eyes and mouth the artist captured. This is much different from the one of your grandfather.”

“Call me Drake, Victor. According to Mr. Ford, my Uncle Gyles’s—friend, when my grandfather threw my father from the house, he never used that artist again.”

“Pity.” Victor examined the artist’s signature. “I know of this artist. A Scotsman, quite well-known, I believe. He’s said to have painted directly on the canvas using no preliminary sketches of his subject.” Admiration rang in Victor’s words.

“Is that unusual?” Juliana asked, stepping closer to the painting and appreciating it anew.

“Very.” Victor’s eyes once again met hers, causing her heart to skip. “But I also appreciate his ability to capture that certain je ne sais quoi of his subjects.”

Feeling like a ninny, Juliana frowned. “I’m sorry?”

Honoria translated. “It’s French. Although it’s literal for ‘I don’t know what,’ it’s used when speaking about an indescribable feature that makes something unique or special.”

“Oh! As you did with Priscilla.”

Victor’s sweet smile returned. “I’m pleased you think so, Miss Merrick.”

Warmth expanded in Juliana’s chest and her stomach gave a little flip.

Finished examining the portrait, they returned to the drawing room to discuss the particulars.

Juliana struggled to focus on the conversation, her gaze locked on Victor’s profile, his features animated with such joy when he spoke of the creative process and some of his ideas for the family’s portraits.

If only she could be the source of such happiness. She sighed dreamily.

“Would that be agreeable, Miss Merrick?” Victor stared at her, no doubt expecting an answer to his question.

If she only had an idea what he had asked.

CHAPTER 8

Surprised by Juliana’s lack of attentiveness, Victor reframed his question. Unlike Lydia, Juliana seemed such a level-headed young lady. Perhaps in his eagerness to begin, he had overstepped. “If you have other plans, Miss Merrick, I could return at a later date to begin our session. I simply thought since I’m already here and have my sketch pad...”

She blinked, her face flushing and giving her that lovely, natural glow he wished to capture on canvas. “You wish to begin with me today?” Her hand drifted to her head, then her bosom, snagging his attention. “But my hair. My clothes.”

“Just some preliminary sketches with ideas. If that is agreeable with you and your mother. And the duke and duchess, of course.”

Drake rose and held out his hand to Honoria. “Shall we leave Victor to his work, my dear? Besides, I expect Kitty is missing us, and I would like a few minutes with her before I leave for Lords.”

Ah, yes. Their infant daughter. Nervous energy battered Victor’s chest at the thought of painting a squirming infant. He’d heard horror stories while studying under the masters in Italy.

He would tackle that challenge later. At the moment, his focus should be on Juliana.

He rose and bowed toward Drake and Honoria. “Thank you for the privilege, Your Graces.”

“Remember, Victor. It’s Drake.” Drake clasped Victor on the shoulder and gave a squeeze. “I expect we’ll be seeing quite a lot of each other, and the honorific becomes tiresome.” He turned toward his sister and mother. “Keep an eye on her, Mother.”

Once reseated, Victor jotted down a note reminding him to capture the glint in Drake’s eyes and the playful quirk if his lips that matched that of his father’s.

While Mrs. Merrick sat quietly working on a piece of embroidery, Victor retrieved his sketchpad. “Would you mind moving to the sofa, Juliana? Seated across from me would work best. The lighting is perfect there.”

Juliana fussed with her skirts as she positioned herself, worry creasing her brow. “What should I do?”

“First. Relax. I’ll make some sketches while we get to know each other. Other than your expertise on horseback, tell me a little more about yourself. Your likes, dislikes. What gives you joy?”

An intriguing, deeper blush covered her cheeks.Well.What might that be about?

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