Albert looked at her with a vulnerability in his eyes, as though he had been caught doing something he shouldn’t.
‘I must confess somewhat of a passion for Art…’ he blushed and Sophia was quite taken aback by his unexpected bashfulness.
‘I cultivated this interest during my tour of Europe, aged eighteen. Have you visited Italy or France, Lady Camden?’
‘I have only frequented Bergerac and Bordeaux – but mostly for the vineyards my parents were eager to visit. I regret I have not indulged in exposure to their plethora of fine art…’
‘Oh, but it opened my eyes to an entirely new world!’ Albert enthused and Sophia found his exuberance invigorating. How this handsome, confident, rakish young man had such a refined passion was quite refreshing. Sophia felt a little sad he did not feel that he could express his passions more publicly but felt equally privileged that he was choosing to share with her.
She watched his face as he continued to tell her about the sculptures he encountered in his tour and the artists he watched with fascination as they worked alongside rivers. She was captivated.
‘But here I am going on…’ Albert said and looked at Sophia apologetically. ‘Tell me – what is it you enjoy about this painting here before us?’
‘Oh…’ Sophia considered it and as she did so, Albert studied the softness of her skin and how her cheeks had developed a rosiness during their conversation.
‘The undulating contours of this hill-observe how, upon closer inspection, the artist has employed a softening effect to evoke the essence of moorland. This technique implies the presence of heather and a more rugged landscape, in contrast to the gentle, sweeping hills characteristic of more verdant regions…’
Albert smiled at her, enjoying this common ground they had stumbled upon.
‘I daresay you, too, have a passion for Art, Lady Camden?’
‘I do not hide it, Lord Dutton. Why, my most indulgent pastime is to sit and watch my best friend as she paints – I find it so relaxing. She is a true talent.’
‘Might I find any of your friend’s work here?’ Albert cast his eye around the gallery.
‘Oh no, she does not exhibit. Although she should! Oh – of course, you know her! Why, my best friend is Lady Hannah Haworth, recently married-’
‘The Duchess of Montwood! Of course! But I did not know she painted?’
‘She does – beautifully!’
‘Is my esteemed friend, her husband, the Duke, aware?’
‘I am quite sure he must be, Lord Dutton.’
‘Do you collect Art, yourself, Lady Camden?’ Albert drew the attention back to Sophia, not wishing to talk about their friends as much as he wanted to know about her.
‘I only have a few, though I am always searching for something special. I would not invest in a piece that had not entirely captured my heart. You know my cousin, Nathaniel has recently procured an original Sir Thomas Lawrence portrait?’ Sophia enthused.
‘Not only am I aware, but I visited his abode yesterday morning and viewed it for myself!’
‘Oh, you rascal! That you have acquired an invitation ahead of me!’ Sophia jested playfully.
He grinned at her, enjoying her relaxed demeanour.
‘Where did he decide to hang it finally?’
‘It was in the drawing room,’ Albert confirmed.
‘Very good. The piece should shine for all guests to see.’
‘It certainly did!’
‘Shall we move onto this next piece…’ Albert went to move alongside Sophia and as he did, their hands brushed past one another and a spark stopped Albert in his tracks.
They looked at each other, sharing a moment of shock; both having experienced an unexpected jolt of something they could not articulate.
Sophia composed herself and hurried along to the next painting as Albert had suggested. He followed slowly after her and was about to comment upon the subject of the portrait before them, when an excitable Hannah approached.
