Page 6 of The Marquess Method (The Beautiful Barringtons 3)

“Theodosia Louise.” A smile hovered at his lips. “And a brother named Leo. Must get confusing around the dinner table. Leo. Theo.” A small sound of amusement left him. There was a strange light hovering in his eyes, like fireflies sparkling in a field of summer grass.

“Are you acquainted with my brother?”

It seemed unlikely. She doubted Haven could afford a membership to Elysium.

“We’ve met.”

Theo didn’t know much about Haven, but what she did know had been supplied by Cousin Winnie. Haven’s father had been a wastrel, drunkenly gambling away the family fortune. It was not a stretch of the imagination to assume the former Marquess of Haven had spent at least some of his time and coin at Elysium.

“It’s a clever little box,” he said. “Does the palette fit just here,” he pointed to the inside of the lid, “when you’re finished?”

“Yes.” The longer Haven’s large, broad-shouldered form hovered near hers, the more unsettled Theo became. His presence on the blanket gave the air around them an expectant flutter, the sense that something barely restrained would burst forth at any moment.

Very unlike the way she felt around Blythe.

She wished he’d go away. Whywashe in the park so early? Haven didn’t strike Theo as someone who embraced the morning. She pictured him quite clearly in a smoky tavern at night.

Her eyes flitted to the left and right. No horse, though admittedly there might be one near and Theo just couldn’t see it. Nearly everything beyond the small cluster of trees a short distance away was fuzzy about the edges.

“I feel certain, my lord,” Theo tried to keep the exasperation out of her words, “you’ve much better things to do than watch me paint. I don’t want to keep you from your morning stroll.” She threw another hint in his direction.

“I’ve a bit of time before meeting a young lady for a walk.”

The color of his eyes deepened to emerald as he peered at her from beneath his lashes. It was difficult to discern if Haven was being truthful or not, though if he were meeting a young lady, it would explain the coat. But if that were Haven’s purpose, he should have taken the time to have his hair cut properly.

Theo raised a brow, curious. “I know few young ladies who would be interested in such an early morning stroll, my lord.”

“You’re here.”

“I’mpainting.” Really, he was infuriating. “At least, I’m trying to,” she said pointedly.

“Are you acquainted with Miss Violet Emerson?”

“I haven’t had the pleasure.” Cousin Winnie was correct, as usual. Havenwaspursuing the adored daughter of Viscount Emerson. Petite, raven-haired with porcelain skin, Violet was renowned for her beauty and ladylike manner. She doubtless also possessed perfect eyesight.

Something curdled in Theo’s stomach.

“I doubt you two would get on,” Haven said casually as he drew a circle on the blanket with his forefinger.

Theo had no idea what he meant exactly, but it sounded like an insult.

“Besides,” Haven said before she could speak again. “I find your creative process to be fascinating.”

“You’ve no idea what my creative process entails. Or anyone’s creative process. I’m doubtful of your appreciation for artistic endeavors.” She dabbed her brush in another circle of paint, intent on capturing the glistening of the water as the light rippled across the surface, and deliberately turned her back.

The skin behind her ear tickled as Haven breathed over her shoulder. “I sense you don’t like the thought of me walking with Miss Emerson.”

Theo’s entire back arched in his direction. To her utter horror.

“Relieve yourself of such a notion, my lord. With whom you walk in the park is none of my affair.” Her brush hovered; she was more annoyed than she had been previously, and it would surely influence her work. Because Theodidn’tcare for the thought of Haven kissing Miss Emerson as he had her.

Turning her head to once more urge him to move along, Theo found his face mere inches from her own. If Haven so much as tipped his chin, their lips would touch.

“You forgot the green.” His voice was a low hum against her skin.

“I didn’t forget anything. Will youpleasego? I can’t concentrate with you chattering away next to me, Lord Haven. I’m sure Miss Emerson is impatient for your company.”

“But I wish to see you work on your painting. It is a painting, isn’t it? Despite the smaller size? Though not small enough to be a miniature. I understand you are quite good at those.”

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