Summer House Party by Regina Scott & Donna Hatch & Sarah M. Eden

Author:Regina Scott & Donna Hatch & Sarah M. Eden [Regina Scott & Donna Hatch & Sarah M. Eden]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Mirror Press
Published: 2016-06-07T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Christian tuned out Matilda Widtsoe’s chatter and focused on the animated expressions of her face, trying to capture the best one for her pose. Though lovely and pleasant, she had a tiring effect on him. Still, on the rare occasion she fell silent, he asked her another question to keep her talking for the sake of the portrait. By the end of the afternoon, he’d created an expression that combined a subdued form of her usual enthusiasm while capturing the liveliness of her eyes. He’d also done rough likenesses of her, the piano, and enough decorations to suggest Egyptian flavor without overwhelming the main subject of the portrait.

Other houseguests streamed in, probably in anticipation of tea. Christian sat back, satisfied with the proportions, and rolled his shoulders to loosen the tension before removing his smock and rolling it up.

When Miss Widtsoe took a breath in her steady stream of chatter, he said, “That will do it for today.”

Her mouth remained open as if she had stopped mid-sentence. Recovering, she closed her mouth and smiled. “This bench is getting hard anyway.” She stood, visibly keeping her weight on one foot. “Will you help me to a settee, please?”

“Your wheeled chair is here.” Reluctant to initiate more physical contact than necessary and give her another reason to mistake his intentions, he brought it to her and held it steady while she turned and settled herself in it, then he pushed her chair to a stop beside the settee.

While he gathered up his painting supplies, she called, “May I see it?”

“It’s not finished.”

“I know, but—please?”

He stowed all his supplies, tucked the easel under his arm, and brought the canvas to her. “I’ll add color tomorrow.”

Her expression of expectation fell as she looked at the canvas, but she nodded and said with forced cheer, “I’m sure it will be lovely when you’re finished.”

She turned the full brightness of her smile on him, but her praise was rather demoralizing, much like when as a child he showed a work of art to adults who patted him on the head and told him his art was nice when really they meant it was the silly scribblings of a beginner.

Genevieve Marshall sank down in an armchair next to Miss Widtsoe and leaned in to see the portrait. “Oh my, the proportions are amazing, and you captured her lively spirit beautifully.”

It was all he could do not to puff out his chest in pride. Before replying, he searched for a note of humility. “I’m gratified to receive your approval. I’ll finish it before I leave.”

“I’m sure it will have no equal.” Her admiration seemed genuine, without the coquettishness of so many ladies of the ton.

Though tempted to sit and bask in her soothing presence, he bowed. “If you will both excuse me, I need to go put this away.”

“A footman can do that for you,” Miss Widtsoe said with a flutter of lashes.

“I prefer to do it myself. I have a rather particular way of storing it.” He returned to his room to put everything away.

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