Page 72 of The Moonstone Marquess
Richard sifted through them as well. “Lady Phoebe, these are extraordinary. A talent like yours would add so much to my expedition.”
Phoebe lifted the book from his hands. “No, my lord. You will find someone of equal ability without too much problem.”
“Doubtful. You make these come alive. Have you had formal training?”
She nodded. “We had an art tutor when we were younger.”
Chloe laughed. “The man detested me and Hen because we were such dreadful students. Our papa had to discharge him when he insisted on taking Phoebe to Florence to study the great Italian artists. He had developed an almost obsessive fascination with her, and our parents were afraid the man would run off with her.”
“Oh dear. Nothing as lurid as that,” Phoebe insisted. “He simply thought I had great promise as an artist and wanted me to study in Italy. But I had no intention of leaving England even back then. I knew my heart was here in Moonstone Landing. I knew it and felt it from our very first visit here after Aunt Henleigh purchased this house. Some things just get into your soul, and you know this is where you belong.”
“But the world will lose out on your talent,” Richard said in all seriousness.
“I assure you, Lord Crawford, the world will survive. I can put my artistic abilities to good use right here in Cornwall. Our eldest sister, Hen, is married to the Duke of Malvern. His manor house, which you will see tomorrow, is also neighbor to ours. We help Hen out with all her charitable works. These projects keep us busy, and some of them require use of my drawing talents. It does not go to waste.”
Richard listened to her patiently, but Cormac knew he was not in the least put off by her resistance. “Well, I’ll have the week to change your mind.”
Phoebe took the sketchbook out of his hands and returned it upstairs.
While she was gone, Richard turned to him. “Burness, you really have to side with me on this. She is incredibly talented and would add so much to my expedition. Imagine the sketches she could prepare for me. And I’ll take her to Florence if she wishes. We can spend a year there if it will help her learn her craft. And—”
“The decision is not mine to make. Nor is it Cain’s, even though he is still her guardian. Phoebe does not want to go, and that’s an end to it. Why can you not respect her wishes?”
“Would you if you were in my situation?”
“Yes, I would.” Cormac did not want to continue this conversation in front of his nieces or Chloe, but Richard was not letting it go, so he carefully weighed his words. “Phoebe knows her own mind. She is clever and thoughtful. Yes, she draws with passion and love. But if her heart had been set on making a name for herself as an artist, she would have pursued it. She has a strong will and nothing will deter her. Perhaps it is a shame she views her gift as a diversion and not a dream.”
“But this is my point, Burness. She could make it a dream. Why should she settle for something less? Why remain in this dull backwater when she could be regaled in the royal courts of Europe?”
“You are not listening to her. She is telling you that her heart is here in Moonstone Landing. This is where she wishes to put her efforts.”
Richard turned to Chloe. “Can you not persuade your sister?”
Phoebe returned in time to hear his question. Perhaps she had heard more, for her eyes were blazing, a sign the lioness was stirred. “Do not involve my family in your schemes, Lord Crawford.”
“I did not mean to—”
“Yes, you did. If you have a thought about my art, then say it directly to me. I have already told you my feelings on the matter and would rather not have this conversation with you again. As Lord Burness just told you, I know my own mind and do not need a man to tell me what to do or what to think. Nor do I need you condescending to me because you think my dream is lesser. It is not the same as yours, but it does not make itlesser.”
Cormac cleared his throat. “Phoebe, shall I ask Mrs. Hawke to set out coffee on the terrace?”
The blaze in her eyes softened as she turned to him. “Yes, that is a fine idea.”
She took a deep breath and turned once more to Richard, who now sat with his mouth agape. Well, did he think Phoebe would be biddable? She looked magnificent in her blazing glory, and that blaze was, for once, not aimed at Cormac.
“Lord Crawford, I do apologize if I was rude to you just now. I appreciate your admiration of my drawings, but I know what is important to me and what is not. Be assured, I will not let this talent go to waste. It will be put to good use right here in Moonstone Landing.”
“I am duly chastened, Lady Phoebe,” Richard said. “Still disheartened, but duly chastened.”
“I mean it sincerely when I say there are young ladies in good society with a fine artist’s hand who will share your passion for history and travel. I wish you extraordinary good fortune and fulfillment in your endeavors, and I will eagerly read your accounts when they are published. Please, do tell us more of your plans. I very much enjoy hearing of them.”
“But you do not wish to be included in them,” Richard said.
“That’s right, my lord. I do not.”
They strolled onto the terrace, and the girls went off with Chloe to toss a ball. Cormac watched them, his heart full of love for them. Poor Imogen—she could not catch that ball to save her life. But she was laughing and having too much fun to care.
Cormac watched them, but he was still quite aware and listening in when Richard drew Phoebe aside and quietly asked, “Tell me one thing: if it were Lord Burness instead of me asking to take you on his travels, would your answer be different?”
