‘Ah! Lady Hannah Haworth, the artist!!’ Nathaniel bowed dramatically, making Hannah blush.
For a moment, she thought perhaps she should correct him – that she was now a Duchess; that her title had changed. This was not something she had considered previously, nor had the situation yet arisen. It felt important that Nathaniel should know – both as a friend and also to draw the formal boundary where he might otherwise be a little flirtatious, as was his fun nature. However, it felt inappropriate and pompous. She did not expect friends to address her more formally, though she knew there would be formal occasions where they would do so. The concept was unfamiliar and unnerving, so she opted not to correct Nathaniel on this occasion.
‘Dearest cousin,’ he kissed Sophia’s hand ‘thank you for bringing along true talent in the form of your best friend!’
Hannah and Sophia laughed together at Nathaniel’s fawning.
‘How are you faring, cousin?’ Sophia enquired.
‘Exceedingly well! It is not yet noon and we have received so many viewers through the doors. A wealthy couple have expressed an interest in buying the most expensive landscape we are exhibiting today and in fact, I have my sights set on this very picture here…’ Nathaniel gestured to a small painting behind him and then looked to Hannah avidly for her opinion.
Hannah stepped forward to appraise the painting of a dog, which was dark in colour but demonstrated great depth.
Peering closely, she observed; ‘It is not a piece that would initially catch my eye, however upon closer inspection, there is intricate detail applied to the strokes to depict the dog’s hair quite realistically…’
Behind her, Nathaniel and Sophia giggled good naturedly.
‘He is jesting with you, Hannah!’ Sophia laughed ‘This is Nathaniel’s own painting of his loyal dog, Cherubin!’
Hannah turned, embarrassed in case she had offended the Viscount, but he was smiling.
‘I am honoured that an artist such as yourself appraised it with such positivity!’
Hannah peered back at the painting and saw Nathaniel’s name scrawled discreetly in one corner – it was indeed his own work.
Hannah clutched her palm to her chest ‘How fortunate I did not insult your work! Oh, but it is very good, my Lord!’
‘Thank you, Lady Hannah,’ he said again and she did not correct him.
‘Oh, look…!’ Sophia noticed a striking landscape hanging on a wall through an archway and left the two of them as she felt drawn toward it.
‘Have you brought any of your art along with you today?’ Nathaniel asked Hannah, keenly.
‘I have not…’
‘What a sore disappointment! I am so eager to view it for myself after the wonderful sentiments my cousin has expressed regarding your creations!’
As Nathaniel and Hannah engaged in further conversation, Sophia stood adrift at the large painting, admiring the undulating sway of the hills under her gaze. She did not hear anybody approach but a low, warm voice commented close to her ear;
‘Stunning, is it not?’
Sophia turned quickly, to see Albert standing beside her with a mischievous smile on his face. He looked fleetingly at her and then returned his attention to the painting.
Sophia composed herself. ‘It reminds me of my family’s estate in the country…it fills me with such nostalgia for happy childhood days in the sunshine!’ Sophia’s eyes twinkled as she reminisced.
‘Then you have beautiful land, for this is exquisite! Where is your country estate located?’
‘In the county of Gloucestershire…’
Albert stepped forward to review the name in the corner of the painting and narrowing his eyes, declared ‘As I thought – this piece is by Lord Harold Withering-Downs. He resides in Gloucestershire most of the time. Lady Camden, you certainly know your hillsides!’
‘Is that really so? It isactuallyGloucestershire?’ Sophia felt quite impressed by herself.
‘I find these strokes quite hypnotic…’ Albert pointed out the rushes that had been brusquely applied in oil in the foreground of the grassy land. ‘Almost as though you could see them bending in the breeze. If you squint a little-’ he shuffled closer to Sophia as if to coerce her movement, then squeezed his eyes half-closed ‘you can see them, am I correct? The optics are quite remarkable – the brushstrokes encourage movement in our viewing of the piece!’
Sophia turned to Albert with a mock confrontational stance.
‘Lord Dutton, I daresay you are a secretive art fanatic!’
