A Painting for the Viscount: A Clean Regency Romance (Ladies of Accomplishment Book 1) by Sariah Drake

Author:Sariah Drake [Drake, Sariah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

Their back garden was quaint. Just like many in London, they didn’t have enough room for a proper garden—some had none at all. That was why one took a country estate. While the back garden was small, edged by a stone wall covered in ancient ivy, it featured rose bushes bordering the space and a well-manicured lawn. A stone patio provided the perfect space for seating, alongside small, round tables. Rosalind set out drawing supplies, and the rest of Henry's sisters were present, some already having acquired their utensils for drawing.

They all greeted Rosalind warmly, and she felt quite welcome among the girls. Taking a pad and pencil, they all sat down to enjoy tea and sketch in the midday sun.

Rosalind relished the rays of sun on her skin, having forgotten how happy being in the light made her. As of late, she had experienced many late nights, getting little sleep and staying indoors. Sketching with the Thorntons outdoors revived her.

“Are you drawing a poodle?” Clara asked Artemis.

There was an inhale of breath as Artemis immediately took offense, her fist resting on her hip as she glared at her sister.

“No! I was trying to draw Catherine!”

“Sometimes, in the correct lighting, Catherine looks definitively canine.”

“Pardon me?” Catherine said, her hand flying to her chest in mock offense. “How could you speak ill of your own sister?”

“And she barks like one as well,” Clara said with a sly smile.

Laughter filled the air, and Rosalind felt distinctly lighter. She looked over Artemis’ shoulder and then offered her some tips on why her drawing might not have come out the way she had thought it would. They were easy to give direction to, accepting it with grace and no poor attitude.

The luncheon arrived, featuring finger sandwiches, fruits, nuts, and little pastries of all different sizes on platters, along with pots of tea. She questioned the cost of the luncheon and whether Henry had paid with credit. She bit into a pastry and found it to be decadent and savory, melting in her mouth.

“Thank you for inviting me,” Rosalind said. “This is all very pleasing. I apologize once more that I did not prepare a class, but I promise next time I shall.”

“If you apologize one more time, Lady Dearling, I swear I will attempt drawing you, and you shall probably also turn out looking like a poodle,” Artemis said.

Catherine placed her drawing pad down and picked out a piece of fruit.

“There will be multiple opportunities for you to teach us. It was presumptuous of us to assume, what with all the commissions you have garnered as of late. I am sure you are busy.”

“It has been quite the rush,” Rosalind said, nodding. “But I have already had one lady sit for me. I completed her studies, and all there is to do is finish the painting itself.”

“Marvelous.”

Rosalind enjoyed the lunch for a moment. As her thoughts wandered, they came back to Henry. He was noticeably absent at their luncheon, and he was the real reason she had come.

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