The Artist by Bonnie Dee

Author:Bonnie Dee
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: victorian, gay romance, gay historical, antiestablishment, beauty and the beast, opposites attract, virgin hero
Publisher: Bonnie Dee

Chapter Fourteen

Phin

Everything seemed very dark and distant, including Teddy’s voice urgently asking if I was all right. I could not draw a full breath, the weight in my chest growing heavier and compressing my lungs.

Teddy’s hand curved around the back of my neck, gently pushing my head down between my knees. “Breathe. Just breathe slowly and evenly,” he ordered.

His warm palm moved to my back, rubbing up and down as he continued to soothe me with his voice. After a bit, the thunder receded from my ears and I was able to breathe almost normally. Still I remained with my head down, unwilling to stop Teddy’s comforting touch.

“Master Phineas! What has happened?”

The tea tray clattered as Ledbetter set it down. Teddy took his hand from my back and shifted away from me on the settee.

I sat up to look into Ledbetter’s worried eyes. “I’m all right. I had one of my spells, but I’m better now.”

“Those blasted jackanapes! They need a good whipping to take them down a peg.” It was as near as Ledbetter would come to swearing. He sounded positively ferocious. I wondered if perhaps he had an inkling they’d treated me badly as a child.

But I was a child no longer. It was time for me to stop allowing them to affect me.

“I could do with some tea.” I prompted Ledbetter to pour.

I thanked Teddy with my eyes for his support. He had placed himself between me and Giles as if ready to fight on my behalf, then he’d comforted me with that gently rubbing hand.

After accepting a cup from Ledbetter, I dismissed him. “I’m feeling much better and won’t require anything else. Thank you.”

“Very well.” He eyed Teddy before withdrawing from the room.

Teddy moved closer again after he’d left. “That’s one of the cousins who tormented you. Seems as if he’s grown into an equally foul man.”

“Thank you for defending me. It was very kind, but I hope that pair won’t cause you any trouble.”

“I know how to manage bullies. Don’t concern yourself on my behalf. Are you truly all right?” He rested his hand on my thigh, warmly reassuring, tantalizingly seductive.

I nodded. “I hadn’t seen Trevor since the event I told you about. It was a shock. But he has no power over me now.”

“Do you think it likely your brother will mention our drawing lessons to your parents? Perhaps we should have simply told them. It’s not as if we’re doing anything wrong.”

I could not take my eyes from Teddy’s hand on my leg and set aside my tea before my shaking hand could spill it. “Nothing untoward.” My gaze drifted up his arm to his throat rising above the knot of his scarf, and then to his mouth. His beautifully shaped lips were so inviting.

Now they parted in a soft exhalation. “Phin.”

“Yes?”

“I feel a strong desire to kiss you. Would you mind terribly?”

I shook my head and leaned forward.

Teddy met me partway, his face looming closer. I closed my eyes as his mouth pressed against mine.

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