Page 61 of The Duke's Pet

Chapter Thirteen

After high tea, theduke took to his easel again.

Jemima sat at the desk and picked up the pen. She considered writing out the letters once more but had another idea. Flicking the paper over, she picked up the pen. In her mind’s eye she recalled the reeds she’d used for weaving when she was on the farm. They grew by the river, straight and tall with thick bulbous brown heads.

Carefully, she began to draw a single reed, enjoying the way the pen glided on the paper leaving behind the image in her mind. On and on she added detail, all the tiny lines, the dots on the head and a few extra leaves at the base.

Daylight began to bleed into dusk and shadows stippled the room.

Eventually the duke let out a loud yawn and placed his palette and brush down. “I have finally finished this painting, and just as the light is fading.”

“Yes, it is.” Jemima didn’t look up from where she was completing a second reed, smaller than the first in the corner of the paper. It was closer up, of the head and she’d added extra detail.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I... I finished the letters so...”

“So you drew, in ink.”

She sat straighter. “Do you like it?”

He picked it up, held it at arm’s length and studied it. “Why, my little kitten, it seems you have quite the knack.”

“Really? You think so?”

“It’s different, in ink and all one color, but yes, I like it.” He paused. “What is it?”

She giggled. “It’s a reed, a bull reed.”

He laughed. “I know, I just wanted to see your face when you thought I couldn’t recognize it.”

Her smile stretched her lips and balled her cheeks. It was clear the duke did like her attempt. And for him to like it, a knowledgeable experienced documenter of flora, that was high praise indeed.

“Perhaps,” he said, setting it on the desk, “when you have done your reading lessons tomorrow, we can find you something else to draw in ink.”

“I’d like that, very much.”

“Good.”

The clock struck seven.

He glanced down at himself. “Damn it, I am very messy again and it is dinnertime.”

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