Lily and the Duke (Sex and the Season #1) - Helen Hardt Page 0,13

the house until I found it. Everyone was at the ball, so I figured it was a perfect time to have a look.”

“You would have found some beautiful pieces, but I’m afraid the Vermeer would have eluded you.”

She looked up. “Why is that?”

“Because I keep it in a very special place. A place you wouldn’t have dared to look.”

“Where?”

“My bedchamber.” He couldn’t help himself. He gave her his best rakish grin.

“Oh.” Her dark eyes radiated disappointment. “I suppose I shall never see it then.”

“Nonsense. I would be happy to show it to you.” Oh, I would indeed.

“I can’t possibly go to your bedchamber. It would be highly improper.” She bit her lip again.

That soft plump lower lip, so satiny against his own last night… Damn. His cock twitched. “My lady, you don’t strike me as a woman who would let convention keep you from something you want.”

“I don’t know why you feel it necessary to insult me, Your Grace.” Lily reddened again, but she spoke with eloquence. “After all, you are the one who has behaved abominably.”

“You are right, of course, and I meant no insult.” He touched her arm lightly and his cock jerked again. “But my lady, it’s just a painting, and it happens to hang in my bedchamber. If you would like to see it, I will show it to you. I did promise to do anything you wanted to make up for my unforgivable behavior last night.”

“Oh, I do so want to see it.”

“Would it help if I gave you my solemn promise to keep you at arm’s length the entire time we are there?”

“I’m not sure I would believe such a promise.”

“Just as well, since I’m not sure I can make it.” He winked at her.

Lily widened her beautiful eyes. “Goodness…”

“Come with me,” Daniel said. “I will escort you to the house, and it will be my pleasure to show you the Vermeer. It’s been a long time since a woman has wanted to come to my bedchamber for something other than—”

“Your Grace, please.”

She was absolutely lovely when she blushed. He waited a few seconds, hoping her passion for Vermeer would win over convention.

“All right, Your Grace.” She took his offered arm. “May I leave my art supplies out here?”

“I’ll have someone take care of it. They’ll be delivered to your chamber.”

“Actually, give me just a minute. I’ll get things in order. I don’t want to leave my journal sitting out here, and this painting isn’t finished yet, obviously. I would like to…but I can’t possibly finish it today, can I? By the time we get back, the light will have changed significantly. Damn.”

Daniel smiled at her curse. She didn’t seem to notice that she’d said it.

“I may as well put this all away now,” she continued. “I’ll have to come back out tomorrow at the same time.”

“If you would like to complete your work, we can see the Vermeer later.” Daniel ran his finger lightly over her forearm. God, he loved touching her. “I can think of nothing I would rather do, actually, than watch you paint.”

Lily whisked her arm away. “Surely you have better things to occupy your time, Your Grace.”

“Not really.” He leaned against the bench as she covered her watercolor palette.

“As much as I would like to finish, I really want to see the Vermeer. So I shall continue this on the morrow.” She hastily packed her supply case. As she bent to slide in the unfinished painting, the edge of another piece caught Daniel’s eye.

“What is that one?” he asked.

“Oh, this? I actually painted this same scene when I was last here. I brought it with me to see how the landscape had changed. However, it seems my perception is what has changed.”

“May I see it?”

“I suppose, if you want to. But my technique wasn’t really up to par then. It’s not very good.”

“Let me be the judge of that.” He regarded the painting. “My lady, this is truly lovely. I remember you painting it. Do recall our first meeting?”

Lily blushed again. “I believe so. I was just a child.”

“I remember thinking that you had a remarkable gift. I can see that I was correct.”

“Th-Thank you,” she stammered. “But I’m a much better painter now. That work is just, well, yes, it’s pretty, I agree, but—”

“Nonsense, it’s wonderful. May I?” He pulled out the unfinished watercolor and compared the two. “Yes, your technique has definitely improved, but this one shows your talent when it was raw and untamed. There’s an