Lily and the Duke (Sex and the Season #1) - Helen Hardt Page 0,12

He smiled as he watched Lily paint, write, paint, and write. He’d first seen her years ago, in this very spot. She had been lovely, her dark hair and eyes promising true beauty as she matured. She had not disappointed. She dipped her head a bit as she mixed more color, and then she added some lush green to the light blue of her painting. Her strokes were deliberate, leaving the color in silky caresses on the paper. She turned again to her journal and wrote for a few moments, and then went back to painting. She changed to a thin brush and drew some delicate brown lines on her board.

Daniel stole forward. “My lady.”

She turned, startled. He recalled with a smile how she had stood up eight years ago, spilling her tin of water. She remained seated this time.

“Good morning, Your Grace. What are you doing here?”

She sounded remarkably calm at his presence. For some reason, this bothered Daniel.

“It is my estate,” he said.

“Why aren’t you on the hunt with the others?”

“I have some business to attend to this afternoon, so I decided to skip the hunt.”

“What on earth are you skulking about for then? I didn’t think men of your station were inclined to rise before noon.”

Daniel chuckled softly. “It seems you have some rather interesting ideas regarding men of my station.”

“You haven’t done anything to make me cast my notions to the wind.” Lily reached for her journal.

“Perhaps I can change your mind about some of your generalizations,” he said. “What are you writing?”

“Nothing much. Just descriptions really. I find that my painting and my writing often go hand in hand.”

“Really? Which do you prefer? Painting or writing?”

Lily turned her gaze to the horizon. “I’m not sure I could say. I suppose I can never decide, which is why I do both at the same time.”

Daniel regarded her with amusement. “I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone like you.”

The porcelain skin on her neck pinked. “You don’t really know me.”

Good Lord, she’s beautiful. “I’d like to.”

The pink on her nape turned to crimson. “You would, would you? I suppose I should be flattered. However, I’m disinclined to associate myself with a gentleman—and I use the term loosely—of your reputation.”

An insult. Not many ladies would dare. She was a delight! Daniel reached to touch her. Her physical charms were overwhelming to any man, but what enticed him most was her loose-tongued sharpness. Clearly she cared little for propriety. He dropped his arm back to his side and ignored her comment.

“My lady, please, I must ask you again for your forgiveness for my behavior last evening.”

“Don’t give it a thought, Your Grace. I’m sure I’m not the first innocent maiden who found herself entrapped in your snare.”

“I wish you would stop joking.”

“I’m not joking.”

“Oh.” Daniel stepped backward. Oh, she was audacious, this one. And so beautiful and intriguing. “Then if you would allow me to make it up to you in some way…”

Lily put down her journal and stood, turning to face him. She wiped her hands on the apron covering her skirt. Daniel’s skin heated as her cognac eyes pierced his. She opened her mouth, but no words emerged.

“Yes?” he urged.

She bit her lip. “Your Grace, there is something that you could do for me.”

“Anything, my lady.”

“I would like to see your art collection.” She spoke quickly, her voice softening with each catch of her breath. “It’s rumored to be one of the finest in England, and my brother told me that it could only be viewed by private invitation. I have a passion for art, Your Grace, and Vermeer is one of my favorites. You do have a Vermeer, do you not?”

He grinned. “I do.”

“I know this must seem very forward, but I’ve been excited about this trip to Laurel Ridge for quite some time. To actually see a Vermeer! The thought of being close to something that he touched. I suppose this must sound crazy to you, but, well, to tell you the truth, I had planned to find it myself…”

“So you thought you’d do a little investigating, did you?” He smiled, enjoying her nervousness.

“No, of course not.” She blushed. The rosiness crept down her neck to the swells of her plump bosom. “Well, yes, actually.”

“Is that by any chance what you were doing last night, when I…caught you?”

Lily looked to the ground. “Yes, I suppose it was. I stole onto the terrace and was planning to go around to the front entrance and sneak through