Waking the Princess by Susan King

Author:Susan King [King, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780451208835
Goodreads: 2215112
Publisher: Signet
Published: 2002-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

"For now, let's start with the meeting of the prince and princess," John said. Seated at an easel that held brownish paper, he picked through a box of charcoal sticks, chalks, and pencils. He glanced at Aedan and Christina, who stood side by side. "Face each another... Yes, like that. Good. Now, Aedan, take Christina's hands in yours, as if you have just met."

She offered her hands to Aedan, her fingers quivering slightly. His clasp was warm and firm as Aedan raised their linked hands toward his chest. "How is this?"

"I like that," John said. "It shows both tenderness and fascination, as if these two sense they are meant for each other. The overpowering strength of love at first sight will be part of the theme of the mural."

"Ah," Aedan murmured.

Silent, Christina felt delicate shivers ripple through her. Love at first sight, indeed. She was very much afraid that she had succumbed to that already. The laird of Dundrennan was far too enticing for her lonely, needy imagination to resist.

"Excellent. Hold that," John said, sketching with a bit of chalk, his arm moving in long, loose strokes. "I knew you two would be an excellent match for this. Your complementary coloring and trim figures, your classic, balanced features—all perfect. And there is something... quite indefinable between you," he went on as he drew them. "It fairly sparks around you."

"That might be due to our arguments over Cairn Drishan," Aedan said wryly. Christina frowned at him, and he raised one eyebrow without changing his expression.

"Whatever it is, it's perfect for this mural." John worked quickly, folding back the paper to begin a new drawing while they kept still in the pose.

"This will be the first meeting of the briar princess and the Druid who came at her father's request to teach her to read and write," John said. "I shall use MacGregor for the Pictish king, Mrs. Gunn for his queen, and I thought Lady Balmossie would make a wonderful Celtic priestess."

Aedan chuckled. "She'll want her familiar on her shoulder. Did Druids keep monkeys?"

John snorted with laughter. "The focus of each scene will be the developing love between the prince and princess," he said. "I'll fade the other characters using washed color, so that you two will stand out in brighter colors, with strong linear touches. Now, gaze into each other's eyes—oh, aye, just like that! I'm nearly done with this, and then we'll go to another pose, if you are not tired."

"Not in the least. Madam?" Aedan pressed her fingers.

"I can continue," she answered. Head tilted upward to look at Aedan, Christina flexed her shoulders a little.

John looked up. "Christina, your eyeglasses—"

"Oh!" She set them aside, and Aedan took her hands again.

"And your hair—it must be long and loose," her brother said. "And your skirts... well, I did hope to draw you in costume. I brought a trunk of art materials and some costumes with me from Edinburgh on this last trip. I have the gown Mother wore for Father's painting from the tales of Ossian—you know the one, Christina.

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