Page 6 of The Rake and the Muse
“So you mentioned you paint,” he said, still curious about her art. “What kinds of subjects do you typically use to create your masterpieces?”
“I don’t know if I would call them masterpieces, but anything really. I started with landscapes and inanimate objects and am focused on painting scenes with people now.”
“Have you always painted?” He was curious if it might have been the same for her as it was for him. He hadn’t personally known many others dedicated to art.
“As long as I can remember. I am at my happiest when I have a brush in my hand. I love to paint people and the world the way I see and feel it, not just recreate what it is in front of me.”
His heart almost stopped beating at the way her eyes sparkled when she discussed her passions.
She shook her head, her cheeks adorably pinkened. “I’m probably not making any sense,” she said.
He shook his head. “No, you are making complete sense,” he replied. She understood, which was rare to find. “I feel the very same.”
“Do you also paint, my lord?”
“I draw. Sketches. I bring my sketchbook with me almost everywhere I go.” He gestured to his horse. “Perhaps not while horseback riding.”
“I would love to see some of your work,” she said.
He grinned. “Perhaps. But I shall need to see your work first to know if I would be too embarrassed by my lack of talent to match your own.” He couldn’t show her his drawings. Showing her drawing after drawing of the naked female form wouldn’t be acceptable in the least. Neither was imagining her experiencing her first climax, and several more after that, on his cock, but that was beside the point.
“I am working on a piece here, actually,” she replied. She glanced to see if anyone was listening to them before speaking again. “I shall sneak you into my chamber to see it if you wish.”
He swallowed hard, not certain that it was the best idea to find himself alone in a bedchamber with her, but he was quickly losing control over himself to make sound decisions. Something else within him had taken over his responses. “I would very much like to see your painting.” And so much more.
After riding for at least an hour, they reached where a picnic had been set up near the water. He remained enamored with her the entire time. They selected one of the blankets with a basket, and no one had joined them.She told him all about some of her paintings, what paints she preferred, and the best lighting for her to do her work.
He shared how he had been fascinated with drawing since he could first hold a charcoal and some of his techniques. He described some drawings he had completed as a boy since those weren’t scandalous to discuss in her presence.
Conversation came easily, and the time passed in an instant. He wasn’t certain he had ever had such a lengthy conversation with a woman, nor revealed so much about himself to anyone besides Thomas.
When the entire group had finished their picnic, Theo went to stand. He brushed off his breeches and turned to help Juliet. He found Viscount Duncan already clasping her hands. He wasn’t even certain where the man had come from.
“My lady, allow me,” the man said. Theo looked at her delicate hands clasped around the man’s and found he didn’t care for it at all.
“Thank you, my lord,” she said, smiling up at the man.
Duncan put her hand in the crook of his arm and escorted her away from the picnic area back towards the horses. Theo followed behind them, listening as best as he could.
“Are you having a pleasant afternoon, my lady?”
“I am, my lord. Are you?”
“It is not as enjoyable as partnering with you in Pall Mall yesterday, but it appears to be looking up.”
“Indeed,” she said, glancing back towards Theo.
Duncan glanced over his shoulder and smirked at Theo, then returned his attention to Juliet. “I hope to get to know you better over the next several days,” Duncan said, looking down at Juliet’s chest, but Theo was almost certain she hadn’t noticed. He had the urge to shove the man into the grass and refused to think about where such a notion came from.
“I would enjoy that, my lord,” she said. Theo noticed she didn’t sound overly eager about the notion, so perhaps she was merely being polite.
She glanced back at Theo as if she were looking for him. Unfortunately, Duncan took note.
“My friend, Camden, here, has no intention of marrying,” Duncan said, “while I am hoping to find a great love.”
Theo wanted to punch the sweet smile off the man’s face. He would appear churlish if he mentioned he wasn’t friends with the man, but Duncan wasn’t wrong that Theo didn’t have any intention of marrying. Not for a very long time, if ever. Although, based on some of the man’s evening companions, Theo wasn’t certain he believed a love match was the reason for Duncan’s interest in Juliet.
Juliet glanced at Theo, and he fought to keep the scowl from forming on his face.
