Page 260 of The Ladies Least Likely
“You won’t be shot today,” she said gratefully.
“And neither will you, I’m glad to see.”
“Will you come to Aunt’s with us?”
“Of course.” The golden glints shone in his eyes. A part of her brain wondered if she ought to add those to his portrait. The rest of her simply stared wordlessly at him.
“We have much to discuss,” he said softly.
She nodded, wishing she could stay in his arms forever. “And I need a wash. I don’t remember it, but I believe I spent most of last night unconscious in a strange bed that was probably filled with vermin.”
Everyone satin the dining parlor at Charles Street: the Countess of Calenberg, Darci, Melike, Natalya, Princess—who looked to be wearing her gown from the evening before—Sorcha with Chima, whom she had taken under her wing, and Amalie, who sprang up with a glad cry when Ren walked through the door. Unabashedly she hugged him, the muff on her left arm almost covering his back.
“You’re alive! I knew Harriette would save you.” She beamed.
Harriette gaped at the woman sitting next to her aunt on the sofa. “Lady B-B-Bessington?”
“Good morning, Duchess,” her ladyship said with a smile. “I came to meet your formidable aunt and talk with her about a little society I belong to which may interest her. I also intend to inquire if you are available to do a series of paintings for my London house. It’s been an age since our lordship and I have had a family sitting done, and we would like portraits of each of our children.” She sipped her tea.
Harriette stared at her in silence, numbers swirling in her head. Lady Bessington had several children. With a commission like this, Harriette’s financial woes were solved. And the Bessingtons were a notoriously handsome family, save for the overlarge nose that Lord Bessington had bequeathed to all his progeny. But she could correct that on canvas. And with LadyBessington as her patroness, perhaps Angelica Kaufman would even recommend one of Harriette’s paintings to be displayed at the Royal Academy.
Harriette clasped her hands together. “I would adore the opportunity, your ladyship. I am very available.”
“Franz Karl did not return with you?” Aunt Calenberg observed.
“No, he and Dietz returned to their hotel. They plan to return to Löwenburg posthaste. I believe there is some straightening of affairs that is called for before I arrive to take things in hand, which I warned him I have intended to do.”
“But you will not marry him.”
“No, I will not.”
Her aunt smiled. “I wondered when you would come to your senses.”
“Aren’t you ashamed of me?” Harriette declined the tea her aunt poured. She needed to speak with Ren.
Aunt raised her brows. “That you have chosen your own path and remained true to your heart? I admit it is unprecedented for our family, but I sense times are changing. Someday it will not seem strange to marry for love.” Her gaze drifted over Renwick, who stood quietly behind Harriette, leaning on his cane.
Harriette left the others listening intently as Abassi, Jock, and Beater, all accepting the tea and treats pressed upon them, regaled the girls with a dramatic retelling of Harriette’s actions on the field of honor. She took Ren’s hand and led him to her studio.
His portrait had been taken from its leather case and unrolled, and the canvas was clipped to her easel. Harriette looked at it with pride. She’d captured his noble bearing, that look of wistfulness and resolve upon his face, and the colors were vibrant and fresh.
“I think I will put a library behind you,” she said. “The gentleman at his books.”
He ran a gentle hand over her arm. “I look forward to the next racy sketch you want to do.”
She turned to face him. “Ren, I know you can’t?—”
“Marry me,” he said, capturing her eyes with his earnest gaze.
Her breath left her for a moment. “Indeed. I cannot?—”
“You can. If you wish to.”
“But don’t you need?—”
“Rhette.” He pulled free a coil of her hair and ran the dusty-red curl through his fingers. “I need you. I don’t want anyone else. I already told you that.”
“But I wish to paint. I am a terrible housekeeper. I shall have to travel to Löwenburg frequently. I want to be a good duchess and look after my lands.”
