Page 27 of Enamored with a Brooding Earl
Temperance took it with a nod of thanks. “I want to do some fine detail on some of my recent work,” she explained, seeing the interest flood Lady Calverton’s expression. “I paint the landscape around my aunt’s manor but the detail can sometimes be lacking. I wish very much to improve upon that.”
“I see.” Lady Calverton tilted her head. “I would be delighted to see some of your work, Lady Temperance. I understand that you may be reluctant to share it with me but – ”
Temperance held up one hand, palm out. “Please, do not think that I am reluctant any longer. I have, in fact, brought some pieces with me. They are still in the carriage but I thought I might bring them in to show you, if that would be agreeable?”
Lady Calverton gasped, her eyes wide with a sudden joy. “Of course it would be! I have heard so much about your work fromyour aunt and I am certain that she has not spoken out of turn about them!
Temperance laughed. “Family are inclined towards boastfulness when it comes to such things, are they not?”
“Mayhap they are but on this occasion, I am sure your aunt does not exaggerate.”
Smiling, Temperance thanked Lady Calverton again for the paintbrush. There was some discussion over the new paints as well and Temperance found herself clutching not only the paintbrush but also a few new paints.
“Now, let me have the footman take those to the carriage for you – and mayhap he might bring your paintings to the drawing room?” The slight gleam in Lady Calverton’s eye made Temperance flush, praying that the lady would not be disappointed in what she saw.
“Very well.” Taking in a deep breath, Temperance tried to fill her heart with courage as Lady Calverton quickly instructed the footman on what to do. Just as the footman returned, however, a cloth-covered bundle in his hands, the door opened to reveal none other than Lord Calverton.
Temperance’s heart dropped. She had not thought that she would be showing her work to Lord Calverton! How relieved she was that she had not brought her painting of him standing on the shore.
“Good afternoon.” Lord Calverton smiled, bowed and then looked to his mother. “I hope you are well?”
“I am, I thank you.”
Lord Calverton looked to Temperance. “And you also?”
She nodded, her heart beating a little more quickly as he looked with interest to the bundle which the footman still held.
“Lady Temperance is just about to show me some of her work,” Lady Calverton explained, as her son’s eyebrows lifted. “We have had an excellent conversation about such things and you cannot know how thrilled I am that she has been confident enough to bring us some of her paintings!”
Temperance looked from Lady Calverton to the paintings which the footman held. Lord Calverton was not about to step away, it seemed, and she could not ask him to do so. It would be very rude indeed given that this was hishouse. There was nothing for her to do but begin to show her work, even with his unexpected presence.
“Please, Lady Temperance.” Lady Calverton gestured to the paintings and with a breath, Temperance nodded and went to take them from the footman. Her hands trembled as she set them on the nearby table and unwrapped the cloth, setting out the first and then the second.
When she got to the third, however, Temperance trembled violently. What had she done? This was the very painting she had thought important to leave at home! And yet, somehow, she had chosen and wrapped the very painting she had wanted to hide. She glanced to where Lord Calverton and his mother stood quietly, talking to each other and waiting for her to finish setting her paintings out. What was she to do? She could not pretend that she did not have a third one, could not leave it wrapped up in cloths. They would wonder why she had not done so and there might be a suggestion that she had forgotten it! Her face grew hot as she picked it up, aware that she had no other choice but to set it out.
Then, she turned to Lord Calverton and his mother, gesturing to her paintings but struggling to look at either of them in the face. “Please.”
Lady Calverton let out a quiet squeal, though she did not rush forward. Instead, she came near Temperance and put one hand on her arm, smiling back at her. “I know how difficult this is for you,” she said, softly. “Thank you for trusting me with this, Lady Temperance. I can already see just how wonderful your work is.”
Temperance smiled back, her nervousness abating just a little. “Thank you. Please.”
With a nod, Lady Calverton stepped away and Temperance turned, her hands clasped together and at her mouth as she watched Lady Calverton go to the first painting. Her son soon joined her and the murmurs they shared sounded rather positive, which Temperance was relieved about. The closer they came to the third painting, however, the more her anxiety grew. Would either of them realize that she had drawn Lord Calverton as the man standing on the shore? Or would they think that it was simply a figure which she had plucked from her imagination?
As they stood at the third painting, Temperance closed her eyes so as to shut out the sight. She let out a slow breath, herhands tightening, only to hear Lady Calverton let out an exclamation.
Her eyes flew open.
“This is the most wonderful piece I have ever seen, Lady Temperance!”
Temperance blinked furiously.
“It is truly magnificent! I can see the sea, the light settling on the waves and the storm clouds above it. And then there is this solitary figure, standing on the shore and looking out towards it, defiant, determined and without fear.” She shook her head, then turned her back on Temperance so that she might look at the painting again. “It is a very strong painting, Lady Temperance. You have made this the most extraordinary painting, where I can almostfeelthe wind whipping through my hair and feel the rain on my cheeks. And yet, there is this one gentleman, standing steady and facing it without concern.” She let out a slow breath, then looked back over her shoulder at Temperance. “It is wonderful.”
“You may keep it, if you wish.”
The words came from Temperance before she could stop them, her face flaming with heat as Lady Calverton’s eyes flew wide.
“Are you certain?”
