Page 42 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

Burwood waved him off. “New fatherhood, although wonderful, takes a toll, especially when one’s wife insists on performing many of a nurse’s duties herself. I suspect it’s Honoria’s way of pushing aside her grief over Margery’s death. In addition, arguments for reform in Lords have grown contentious.” The heavy sigh he emitted carried all the weight he spoke of. “And now, this.”

“I’m very sorry to have added to your burden.”

The powerful duke Victor had witnessed moments earlier dissolved into a concerned brother, and much more like the man Victor had come to know simply as Drake. “I’m curious, Pratt. The report in that filthy rag attacks not only my sister, but you. And yet, your defense was only for Juliana. Why is that I wonder?”

Victor blinked. What was Burwood suggesting? “There is no need to defend myself on things we both know to be false.”

Burwood nodded. “Yes, that you received the commission before seeking permission to court my sister. But I speak of the other matter.”

Victor searched his memory for what other spurious thingThe Muckrakerhad said about him.

Moments passed, and when Victor didn’t answer, the duke returned. “Permit me to refresh your memory. It implied that you either took advantage of my sister to secure the position as our portraitist, or you did so intending to seduce her.”

Victor’s jaw tightened. “I swear to you, those are also lies.”

His mouth set in a firm, straight line, Burwood studied Victor as if he were a tome written in a foreign language.

An uneasy silence enveloped them, and Victor worried the duke could hear his pounding heart. “As you yourself admitted, the commission as your artist was awarded prior to my request to court Miss Merrick.”

“True.” Burwood ruffled some papers on his desk. “But, Juliana urged me to consider you. She was most impressed with yourpassion.”

The duke’s emphasis on the word slammed into Victor. “We spoke of my love of art and particularly painting. I do not deny that. And I did hope to secure the position as your artist. If that was taking advantage, then perhaps I am guilty.”

Burwood nodded. “I appreciate your honest answer. However, I’m more concerned with the other accusation.”

“That I intended to seduce Miss Merrick?”

Burwood’s stare pierced Victor through. “What would lead someone to believe you have painted inappropriate depictions of my sister? From my experience, even the worst of rumors have a basis of truth—even if miniscule.”

“Not in this case, sir. I assure you. No one had seen the painting other than my valet, me, my mother, and now you and your family.”

Burwood’s brow lifted. “Your mother?”

“She arrived with the scandal sheet, most upset as you can imagine. I showed her the portrait to alleviate her concerns.” Victor withheld the fact that his mother had insulted Miss Merrick.

“And you trust your valet?”

“Tierney has proven his loyalty to me countless times.”

Brow furrowed and lips pursed, Burwood considered Victor’s answer. “Then what would have precipitated it? There must besomething.”

“Other than dislike of me or, forgive me, you and your family?”

“Hmph. True enough, but there is bite to this somewhere. It’s too specific in the accusation regarding Juliana’s state of undress. I feel it.” Burwood’s eyes widened. “What about your sketches? Who saw them? Were any of them...suggestive?”

Victor shook his head, then a chill of a memory froze him. His mind whirled. The sketches of Adalyn. Lydia alone in his studio. Victor’s gaze snagged with the duke’s.

Burwood straightened in his chair. “What is it?”

“There are some other sketches. Not of Miss Merrick but of another woman, similar in appearance.”

That time, Burwood rose. “Could anyone have seen them?”

“I don’t know.” True, but if he told Burwood his suspicion, the duke would take matters into his own hands. Although Lydia was a flirt and a gossip and he highly suspected she had seen the sketches, he had no proof. If Lydia harbored hopes of an attachment with him, what would she have to gain by making such accusations public? She might be indirectly involved and far from innocent, but Victor found it hard to believe she was capable of such maliciousness. Unlike the perpetrator ofThe Muckraker, Victor wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt—at least until he questioned her.

Burwood sank back into his chair, the defeat on his face heartbreaking. “Then we are at an impasse.”

“If you will trust me, I have an idea I would like to pursue on my own. However, I suspect you called me in here to discuss more than the source of the gossip.”

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