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“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 innocence to it, yet a wildness as well.”
“I’m…glad you appreciate it, Your Grace.”
“I do, my lady. Perhaps you should return to Laurel Ridge more frequently and paint the same scene. It would be incredibly interesting to see how your perception changes over time.”
“Certainly, I would…love to return sometime. I’m sure my family would appreciate another invitation.” She fidgeted. “May I have the painting? I’m almost finished putting everything in order. I cannot wait to see the Vermeer.” Lily put both paintings away.
“Please, allow me.” Daniel took her supply case but set it on the bench. He moistened his thumb in his mouth and rubbed it across Lily’s jawline. Her skin was warm and oh so soft.
“Your Grace?”
“You have the most adorable smudge of blue paint on your lovely face.”
There went the rosy flush again. “If it’s so adorable, why are you removing it?”
Daniel warmed and gave a half smile. “Are you flirting with me, my lady?”
“Your Grace, of course not.”
“Folly. I was hoping you were.” Daniel lifted her supply case and led her out of the alcove toward the main house. “You know, I don’t usually escort a lovely lady to my chamber during midmorning. What will the servants think?”
Lily cleared her throat. “I would appreciate discretion, Your Grace.”
“Of course, I was only teasing. No one will know that you’ve been to my chamber. I promise you.”
