Page 31 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

Drake fell back against his chair, emitting an audible sigh. He suddenly looked older than his thirty years, as if a weight too heavy to be borne had been placed upon his shoulders. “Mr. Pratt has requested my permission to court you.”

She blinked, giving her head a tiny shake to clear it. “What?” She choked out the question, unsure she’d heard him correctly. Why didn’t Drake look pleased?

“To be a suitor, Juliana. To call upon you in more than the capacity of an artist.”

“What did you say?” Joy should have galloped in her heart over Drake’s announcement. However, his solemn expression bridled it in. She held her breath, caution keeping tight rein on her hopes.

“I gave it.”

She frowned, jerking her head to clear it once more.

He held up a hand. “On the condition of your approval.”

His answer did nothing to clear her confusion. Clearly, Drake knew she liked Victor. “Why wouldn’t I approve?”

Drake lowered his gaze to some papers on his desk, fingering them aimlessly. “You should have a say in your suitors. I wouldn’t want to foist anyone unacceptable on you.”

“You’re withholding something. Don’t you like Victor? Do you not think he’s suitable?”

The man with a dukedom thrust upon him disappeared, and the brother she dearly loved reemerged. “I like him very much, Juliana. And, as heir to a viscountcy, he’s more than suitable.But my greatest wish is for you to be as happy as Honoria and I are. To find a man who loves you above all else.”

Oh.What Drake spoke of was the same dream Juliana bore in her heart. To be loved. Cherished. “And you don’t think Victor is that man?” Therein lay the heart of the matter. She stifled the derisive chuckle at her horrible pun.

Drake’s serious amber eyes locked with hers. “I don’t know. The answer is as honest as I can give you. Time will tell. He’s a good man, and he expressed desire to...” Drake became distant, as if searching for the right words.

“Yes?” Even to her own ears, the word sounded pitifully close to begging.

“I believe he holds genuine affection for you.”

Genuine affection?“What aren’t you saying?”

For a moment, he hesitated, then waved it off. “Nothing. I’m simply tired. Kitty kept us awake all night again. I think Honoria has finally agreed to allow the nurse to perform the duties we pay her for.” He smiled weakly. “Now, go. Victor and I also discussed two ideas for your portrait, and he’s eager to begin. I told him I’d also leave that up to you, although I did make my preference known.”

She rose, and Drake stopped her as if finally remembering why he called her into his study in the first place.

“Juliana. Victor requested to speak with you privately regarding his request. I will give you ten minutes alone with him in the drawing room before Mother arrives.”

Still believing Drake held something important back, Juliana pondered why Victor wished to speak with her privately. Could it be a declaration of love? Surely not. They hardly knew each other, even though Juliana’s affections raced dangerously close toward that precipice. Was it worth risking her heart to have Victor court her? To free-fall head-first in love with Victor Pratt if he didn’t return her love? Was genuine affection enough,and more importantly, could she accept it might be all Victor offered?

As the saying went:nothing ventured, nothing gained.

“Not to worry, brother. We shall remain the required six feet apart.”

Drake’s tight-lipped smile returned, and he nodded.

On her way out, Juliana closed the door behind her, praying that she wasn’t making a huge mistake.

CHAPTER 10

In the duke’s drawing room, Victor placed the blank canvas on the easel and laid out his tools: pencils shaved to a fine point, his palette, some paint, and brushes, his mind circling the conversation with the duke. The man’s sharp mind had surely noticed the omission in Victor’s explanation, but the success of his proposal hinged upon certain particulars being kept between himself and Juliana alone. He only had to convince her.

She could flatly refuse him.

Rustle of skirts and the sensual scent of jasmine mixed with ginger—surprising for ladies of society—announced Juliana’s arrival.

As he turned to greet her, the smile tugging his lips spread naturally upon seeing her. She looked lovely and fresh in her pale-blue muslin. Both wariness and interest shone in her face.

“Miss Merrick.” He bowed. “I trust your brother has relayed my request?”

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