‘Sophia! Did you see the piece entitled ‘Clouds’ just over the way?’
‘I confess I have not moved from this space!’ Sophia laughed.
‘Oh, you must see it! Though in good time – I always feel it is so important to invest contemplation on each piece; especially when we consider how long the artist must have spent in creating it!’ Hannah always came alive in art galleries; this endeared Sophia to her and she smiled at her friend, indulging her, though she was aware of the weight of Albert’s gaze upon her face.
Sophia turned to Albert and he quickly looked away, to study the portrait. She couldn’t help but smile to herself.
‘You recall I was painting clouds just earlier this week, Sophia?’ continued Hannah and Sophia nodded. ‘The painting exhibited today has experimented with such interesting strokes – almost as if different implements have been used…’
Sophia looked over at Albert in profile – his strong jaw clenched as he half-listened but seemed engaged in some other thought. She wondered what he might be thinking and as she pondered this, he turned sharply to look at her. This time it was Sophia who had been caught out and he acknowledged this with a mischievous grin. Sophia did not look away as quickly this time. She smiled back.
‘I should like to garner your opinion, Sophia,’ Hannah went on, oblivious to the games playing out before her, ‘on what materials you believe the artist may have utilised and whether you conceive I could achieve a similar effect in my work?’
‘Of course,’ Sophia agreed. ‘I shall work my way around and call you over when I have reached it.’
‘Please do. Thank you, Sophia.’
Albert had paced a few paintings away and Sophia regretted that there was distance between them now that she could not close without seeming keen. As she thought it, Albert stole a glance back at her across his shoulder.
A distraction arrived in the form of Nathaniel, bounding over to Hannah and Sophia with enthusiasm.
‘Lady Hannah, do you tell my cousin about the cloud painting?’
‘Indeed I did,’ Hannah confirmed ‘Sophia is going to consider it on her way around.’
‘Very well. Ah yes this one-’ Nathaniel pointed at the large Gloucestershire landscape next to them ‘is the painting I mentioned to you – the piece the elderly couple showed an interest in purchasing…’
‘Don’t you recognise it, Nathaniel?’ Sophia prompted.
‘Recognise it?’ Nathaniel looked back at the painting with a frown.
‘Why isn’t it your estate in Gloucestershire, Sophia?’ Hannah suddenly realised.
‘My goodness, but it is!’ Nathaniel laughed as the familiarity struck him.
***
As the Duke entered the Art Gallery, he felt strangely self-conscious. This was not an environment he frequented, nor a venue he felt particularly comfortable. As an Academic, he had not communed with creatives often and whilst he usually carried an air of confidence about him, he felt very aware that this was not his familiar realm and he stiffened slightly as he stepped inside.
He felt grateful that nobody turned to look at him – they were all fully engaged in the art pieces they were viewing or caught up in intimate discussions regarding their interpretations.
Caleb scanned the hall and, way across the room, through an archway, could see Hannah standing before a large landscape. He recognised Sophia standing with her but closer still was a tall, elegant man, leaning in toward Hannah and enthusing about something passionately, gesticulating with his hands. Hannah was looking up at him with animated interest. Caleb felt an aggressive surge of possessiveness toward Hannah. This was his wife and the man leaning over her clearly did not respect or did not care that she was a married woman. Caleb took assertive strides over toward the little group and as he came closer, he recognised the gentleman as Lord Nathaniel Bryant, who he believed to be Sophia’s cousin. It was likely, he countered, that Hannah had known Lord Bryant for years, but Caleb could not stand by and witness this intimate conversation playing out.
Caleb arrived at the small gathering and inserted himself between Hannah and Lord Bryant.
‘Good day to you, Hannah. Are you enjoying the paintings?’ Caleb asked warmly. Hannah was startled at his unexpected presence and Nathaniel took a step back, accommodating the newcomer. Caleb looked around at Sophia and Nathaniel who both seemed a little surprised by his appearance and as Caleb caught Nathaniel’s eye, he slipped his hand around Hannah and rested the palm of his hand on the small of her back. He felt her jolt a little at his touch. Nathaniel had the grace to look down and extend his hand.
‘Your Grace. A pleasure to see you again.’
‘Likewise,’ Caleb agreed gruffly, shaking his hand strongly.
Your Grace,’ Sophia curtsied and extended her hand, which Caleb duly took and kissed.
‘What are you doing here?’ Hannah asked, a little flustered but not unfriendly.
‘I know that you enjoy Art and I am fascinated to understand the appeal. After all-’ he turned to Nathaniel pointedly ‘A husband must engage in his wife’s passions.’
He waited to see Nathaniel’s reaction and Hannah’s face burned with shame that she had not referenced her recent nuptials earlier.
