“No,” she said, clearing her throat to stabilize her voice. “No, my lord. There’s no need for that. Just please, forgive my appearance. I had thought to finish this painting in enough time to clean up and change. You may stay, if you like.”
The viscount raised his eyebrows, and Martha thought he would take his chance to escape. But instead, he took a hesitant step toward her, looking at her with intense curiosity.
“Finish a painting?” he asked. “May I have a look?”
Martha took a breath, looking at the man she was supposed to marry. Some part of her had hoped that he would leave once he saw that she wasn’t prepared to receive visitors. She was incredibly surprised when he requested to see what she was painting.
“Sure,” she said, having intended to refuse him and politely ask him to leave. She never expected him to want to see what she was doing. Was he just being polite? Should she try to indicate that he didn’t have to pretend to be interested in what she was doing, or in interacting with her while she was such a mess?
Conflicted, she sat back on her stool, moving so that the viscount could see her painting. He gazed over her shoulder, his eyes widening as he looked up at Isabel, and then back at the painting.
“Incredible,” he murmured. “The likeness is unmistakable, even in a different colour dress. Do you use watercolours or oils?”
Surprised, Martha pointed to her supplies, which were now concealed by her body and the side of the easel.
“Watercolours,” she said. “I sketch the outlines with charcoals and pencils, first, though.”
His face lit up at the mention of sketches, and he gave her an impressed smile.
“Remarkable,” he said, turning back to her painting and pointing, carefully, without touching the canvass. “And your blending skills are phenomenal. Your attention to detail in the background is impressive, as well. Most amateurs focus solely on the primary subject of their artwork, and sort of smudge the background into a blur of fuzzy detail and vague shapes.”
Martha couldn’t help smiling as Lord Bilington spoke. Clearly, he wasn’t just blowing smoke and pretending to be polite. He seemed genuinely interested in her art piece, and he also seemed to know what he was talking about.
“Do you enjoy art, as well?” she asked.
He nodded, not taking his eyes off the painting. He studied it a moment longer before his eyes widened, and he turned to her again.
“Did you do the other paintings that are on display here?” he asked.
Martha blushed and nodded.
“I did,” she said. “Most people don’t even notice them. You must be a connoisseur of art to have taken such special note.”
The viscount shrugged, looking humbler than he had just seconds prior.
“I do love art,” he said. “Though, I could never profess to be an expert.”
For the first time, Martha felt happy to be talking to the viscount.
“Oh?” she asked. “Do you paint?”
Lord Billington shook his head. Something flickered in his eyes, and Martha held her breath, waiting for his temperament to return to that which she had expected since he arrived.
“No,” he said. “I do love looking at good paintings, though. And yours, I must say, wouldn’t do too bad on display in a gallery somewhere.”
Martha blushed, unsure what to think of the sudden praise he was lavishing on her.
“I do not think I will ever be that good,” she said. “Besides, I do it simply for enjoyment.” She bit her lip before she could add that it was her escape when she was sad or distressed. After all, the very reason for her recent distress was standing right before her. She couldn’t very well tell him that, could she?
The viscount nodded again.
“I understand that, as well,” he said. “Do you like going to museums to see art exhibits?”
Martha failed to hide a smile as she nodded.
“I do,” she said. “It’s been some time since I’ve been to any. But I do enjoy things like that very much.”
Lord Billington gave her a slow smile, turning back to look at her painting again. Meanwhile, Martha heard Isabel call for tea. She tried to give her cousin a glance that told her how Martha didn’t want an excuse for the viscount to stay any longer than was necessary or practical. But Isabel was speaking with the maid, so she didn’t see her.
