Page 9 of The Rake and the Muse
At least she told herself that was why she pulled him in. It certainly wasn’t because she didn’t wish to depart from him yet.
“Ah, quite right,” he said, seeming to shift on his feet as if he were uncomfortable. “I would like to see it.”
She pulled him to the easel next to the window and let him see the canvas where she had sketched out a few lines to serve as the foundation for the piece and where she had started painting the body of the woman. Her stomach was in knots as he assessed her work. She wasn’t sure why, but she wanted him to appreciate and see the value in her art.
He looked at it thoughtfully, and every moment that went by where he didn’t say something made her stomach tense tighter.
“You are quite talented,” he finally said. “I mean it. I see where you are going with the piece, and I can’t wait to see it finished. Please tell me you will allow me to do so.”
She beamed at him. “Thank you, Theo. And of course you may.”
“Did you have a model sit for you?”
She shook her head. “No, I was inspired when I saw a woman with a rounded belly and created the likeness the way I wanted it.”
He turned to face her. “You are impressive, Jules.”
“I would still love to see your work.” She wanted more than anything to see what he drew. She was curious what would capture his attention and how he would translate it on paper.
“I don’t know if mine could compete with yours,” he said, glancing back at her painting. “You might take pity on me.”
She touched his arm and forced herself to ignore the electricity she felt, even though she wasn’t even touching his skin. “I have no doubt your work is extraordinary.”
His gaze locked on hers and they stared at each other for a few moments, neither looking away. He took a step closer to her so there were only a few inchesbetween them.
She thought he might lower his mouth to hers, and she shivered from anticipation. The movement captured his attention, and he appeared to shake off his thoughts.
“You must be freezing, Jules. I shall depart so that we might get out of these wet clothes. I shall see you at dinner.”
She swallowed hard and nodded. She wasn’t sure where her words had gone. Perhaps it was the mental image of him peeling away the wet clothes from what was an obviously muscled frame, if his broad shoulders and taut legs were any indication.
He strode to the door and opened it slowly to peek out and see if anyone was in the hallway. He glanced back at her and grinned before disappearing to the other side of her door.
Her entire body was heated from being in his presence that she wasn’t certain the cold, wet clothing had any impact on her. Sighing, she reached for the bellpull so that Bess could help her get out of her wet riding habit.
A few minutes later, Bess appeared. She had a warm bath brought up. Once Juliet had bathed and soaked in the warm water, Bess helped her to dress in a dinner gown. Juliet sat at the vanity and let her maid brush her now-dry hair and style it into a simple chignon for dinner.
As soon as Bess finished, Juliet jumped up from her chair, wanting to work on an idea that came to her. She grabbed another piece of canvas and began sketching. Juliet worked on her sketch until she knew she would need to fetch Eliza to join for dinner. She hid her work behind the other canvas on the easel and departed to venture to the next door over where Eliza was staying.
Eliza had skipped out on dinner the previous night to avoid her past love, and Juliet wouldn’t allow her to do the same that evening. Juliet’s mind was muddled, and her body was still aflame. She needed the company of her best friend at dinner, if only to give her someone to talk to while she attempted to distract herself from her wicked thoughts.
When they entered the salon, Juliet was instantly aware of where Theo was. She didn’t tell Eliza about her encounter with the man, or that she referred to him as Theo. Her friend would read far too much into it. Perhaps she would tell her tomorrow once she had sorted out her thoughts, or at least gave herself a release from her own hand so she might have her wits about her again.
Theo’s eyes were on her, and he nodded at her when she caught his gaze. She wasn’t sure if she was annoyed or relieved that he didn’t come to greet her. It would have put her in an odd spot with Eliza, especially after she had given her friend such a hard time yesterday about nottelling her that her past love, Nick, was in attendance at the party.
She smiled back at him and selected a glass of sherry for herself.
“I saw you riding with Lord Camden today,” Eliza said. “Did you have an enjoyable time?”
“What? Oh, yes. He is a good conversationalist.”
Eliza gave her a knowing look and leaned closer. “Perhaps you are the one who should consider a tryst?”
Juliet’s face heated, and the room was far too warm for her liking. “Rosina said the same thing. You are both mad.”
“I don’t think I am.”
“What about you?” Juliet asked, shifting the focus away from Theo. “Is Lord Irvine going to appear in your chamber tonight?”
