Page 73 of Oddity of the Ton
“He was with me long enough for me to commit him to memory. But it’s still not accurate.” She turned the sketch upside down and stared at it for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, I see it—around the mouth, see?”
No, Monty didn’t see—and nor did he see the point in turning a picture upside down.
“It’s so I can see the drawing on the page, rather the drawing in my mind,” she said.
Bugger—he must have said that aloud.
“When we look at something the right way up, our mind often replaces what’s really there with what we wish, or expect, to see,” she continued. “But invert the image, or look at its reflection in a mirror—we can seebeyondwhat’s in our mind, and the flaws become more apparent. More importantly, we see where the flaws are, and can remedy them.”
She turned the sketch upright, then made a few pencil strokes around the horse’s mouth.
“Yes, I think that’s satisfactory.”
“Satisfactory? It’s exquisite,” he said. “Hercules ishereon the page. It’s not merely a drawing—it’s the essence of him.”
Her blush deepened and she closed the sketchbook.
“Did you manage to see the Stubbs?” Monty asked. “I asked Mrs. Adams to tell the staff to direct you to it.”
She looked away. “I-I didn’t like to ask. Everyone seemed so busy, rushing about the house.”
“You’ll see it after dinner, when we retire to the drawing room,” he said. “My mother knows more about the painting’s history than I—she can tell you about it.”
Her eyes widened. “Your mother’shere?”
“She lives in the dower house, but she often dines in the main house when I’m at home. Tonight’s no exception.”
Miss Howard tried—and failed—to disguise the horror in her eyes, and she looked away.
“Do you ride?” he asked.
“Oh,” she said, resuming her attention on him. “Not really. I tried it a few times, but I never saw the point. Mother and Juliette ride. They’ve been on a hunt—but it’s not something I’d enjoy, thundering across the countryside in pursuit of a creature, only to see it being torn apart by dogs at the end.”
Put likethat, Monty also struggled to see the appeal.
“Let me introduce you to someone whom I think you’d like,” he said, offering his arm.
“Who?” Her eyes widened and she glanced around, as if expecting an ambush.
“Lady Star.”
“Are there more guests?” she asked, her voice tight. “I-I thought it was just Lavinia and Lord Marlow. Is it a large party tonight?”
“Lady Star is ahorse.”
“Oh—you must think me an awful simpleton.”
“On the contrary, I assure you,” he said. “I’m at fault for having given my horses such ridiculous names. But the personification of animals is a common practice. My mother’s named each of her dogs and speaks to them as if they are favored children. I daresay you’ve done the same for your pets?”
“I’ve never had a pet,” she said.
“Oh, forgive me—if you’re not fond of animals, there’s no need to go to the stables. We can return to the house. It’s almost time to dress for dinner, anyway.”
“Oh no—I adore animals,” she said. “At least—well—I find large animals a little intimidating, as you never know what they might do. But dogs—” She broke off and sighed. “It doesn’t matter.”
Clearly it did, but he prided himself in knowing a little more about her than he did at first—enough to know that, sometimes, it was best not to pursue her on matters. Sometimes it was best to let her say in her own time what was on her mind without forcing it out of her.
As they entered the stable yard, a groom appeared, carrying a bale of hay. He stopped and dipped his head. “Your Grace, sir. Are you wanting to ride?”
