Page 4 of Drawn to the Duke
Chauncy raised his shoulders in a gesture of concession. “I wish the likeness to be as truthful as possible. If you wish to draw in the conservatory, I have no objection, though before the next three days I hope you will have proved your ability to create several likenesses. I am curious to see how fast you can draw for you have been commended on your speed.”
Let the man begin in a good light, he thought, reconciling himself to several days of tedium, either in front of an easel or having to make small talk.
At least Saunders and Rowley would be on hand to entertain him while he was in captivity, so to speak.
Alas, he reflected, their wives would be too.
However, at least that meant he could leave Lady Boothe up to them.
As soon asthe door of the suite to which they’d been escorted closed behind them, Selina allowed herself a sigh and a smile.
“We’ve done it, Edward. I am through the doors of Chauncy Manor and the Duke has not barred my way.” She threw her arms wide and breathed out, all the tension that had built up over the six hours of their carriage journey through the flat Norfolk fens draining away. “All will be well, now, for with the duke’s patronage, our future is assured.”
Edward turned on his sister. “Why must you always speak out of turn, Selina?” he demanded. “The duke did not like having his plans altered. Certainly not by awoman.”
Selina ignored him, placing her reticule on the single iron bed in the antechamber before turning back to her brother. Edward would, of course, occupy the sumptuous canopied four-poster in the adjoining room.
“And why must you always look so hangdog, Edward?” she returned, her enthusiasm dented. “I thought you might be a little more charming to His Grace than you are at home with me and poor Anna. Lord Chauncy’s commission could be the first of a string of requests for likenesses from wealthy patrons.”
“Freedom from financial worry… Wouldn’t that be a blessing?” Edward muttered before returning his glower to her. “But, Selina, it was clear Lord Chauncy did not take kindly tobeing told where he was to be painted. I’m sure there’s just as much light in the saloon as will be needed.”
“Possibly, Edward. But not the opportunity for me to observe the duke at close quarters from the other side of the conservatory glass if something goes amiss.” Selina bent to pull from their trunk her single fine evening gown. “If I cannot be by your side for some reason, of course, there has to be an alternative plan.” Holding the beaded pink overdress against herself, she did a twirl. “And, if all does go to plan and you find yourself more rich patrons amongst the company tonight, perhaps I’ll find a rich husband.” She smiled, anticipating her brother’s lack of humor as she added, “I’m not yet quite beyond the pale, Edward, even if you like to pretend I am.”
Edward merely harrumphed as he set out his painting equipment. “You damned any chance of a respectable marriage, my dear Selina, when you ran away with the gamekeeper and disgraced the family name. No one will marry a widow with that kind of scandal hanging about her. A penniless widow, at that.”
“The footman, Edward,” Selina corrected him, folding her gown carefully and putting it in the wardrobe. “Samuel was a footman, as you well know, God rest his sinning soul. And, as you also know, it is the talent ofthispenniless widow that kept a roof over his head, and now yours, Edward.” Selina stood beside her brother to examine the paints and brushes he’d laid out on the bed. She would need just pencil and paper to render the initial sketch while Edward pretended to do the preliminary work on the likeness. While Edward was an adept painter, and his watercolors and landscapes were sought after, it was Selina’s quick likenesses, done on paper with pencil or graphite, that had started to bring in the real money.
And that had led to the Duke of Chauncy’s invitation.
“Who do you suppose is the recipient of this likeness of our handsome duke? Do you think he is negotiating a magnificentmarriage with a foreign princess?” Selina contemplated the duke’s handsome, saturnine features, adding with a suggestive smile as she did another twirl, “Or do you think he’s in the market for a wife here on English soil?”
Her brother sent her a narrow look. “You forget yourself, Selina. You are decidedly out of the market. Since everyone believes you are Anna, not only are you supposedly mad, you are also supposedly married.”
CHAPTER 4
Chauncy hadn’t realized he’d been day-dreaming until he was jerked back to the present by his cousin, Beth, who suddenly declared from her position by the fireplace, “I have tatted nearly one half of a collar, Chauncy, while you’ve been staring into the coals. If you’re having second thoughts about going ahead with this marriage contract, then just say so.”
His marriage?
Of course, Beth thought the entire reason for commissioning his portrait was to send it to Miss Harriet Blenkinthorpe.
Chauncy straightened. “It makes sense. Our northern estates lie side by side. And in thirty-two years, I’ve not found someone I’d rather wed.”
“But has she? Could that be why Miss Blenkinthorpe is prevaricating, asking for your likeness instead of leaping at the chance of a title though, no doubt, that’s what her mama is angling for.”
“Miss Blenkinthorpe’s request is entirely reasonable since we’ve not seen one another since we were ten years old.”
Beth laid down her handiwork and looked at her cousin. “If Miss Blenkinthorpe’s mama is pushing her into something she’sunsure about, it will prove mostimpracticalwhen you fall madly in love with some other worthy?—”
“Enough, Beth.” Chauncy ameliorated the interruption with a smile. “I’m more than ready to wed some nice, respectable young lady like Miss Blenkinthorpe, considering the number of times I’ve thought myself in love with damsels I could not marry. Nowthatwas impractical.” He raised an eyebrow. “Not that I should hint at such things to you.”
“No, not to poor on-the-shelf-Beth who, at twenty-eight, knows nothing of life.” There was a surprisingly defensive edge to Beth’s tone as she went on, “And…it certainlyisimpractical to fall in love with women one is unable to marry.” Looking at him from above her handiwork, she went on, more urgently, “Oh, Chauncy, I do wonder if it was wise of you to invite Lord and Lady Saunders to this house party.”
Chauncy’s mouth dropped open. Beth was the sweetest, most demure and obedient young lady he knew. Could she really be hinting that she understood the relationship between himself and Catherine, Lady Saunders?
Past relationship, he amended.
He swallowed and said, carefully, “Lord Saunders has been my friend for more than a decade. He… knows everything there is to know about me, for I would keep no secrets from him.” He hesitated, then added brusquely, “Let us talk no more about the complicated relationships between men and women of which you clearly have no knowledge, Beth.”
