“Tell me. Has Lord Sommerset come to ask you to be his wife?”
She stared wide-eyed for a moment. “Why would you ask that?”
Mariel cocked her head, her emerald gaze softening. “There was something about the way he looked at you at dinner. It was as if your every word fascinated him.”
Shaking her head, she rose unsteadily to her feet. “If you’re thinking he’s in love, it cannot be. We have had only two conversations of any worth.”
“Then why has his presence here upset you so?”
She couldn’t look at her sister. There was only one reason. He was here to accept or reject her proposal. She crossed her arms over her stomach and moved back toward the fireplace.We would want at least one witness each to our bargain, to protect both parties. And my good friend, the Earl of Harewood, who has impeccable integrity, has kept many a secret of mine over the years.
She gripped the back of the wooden chair near her to keep from falling. If he was here with Lord Harewood, he planned to accept! What had she been thinking? She looked to her sister who remained patiently waiting for an explanation.
Already Amelia could feel the disapproval that would come once the specifics of her proposal were revealed. If Belinda was an angel, Mariel, after the man she loved died in battle, had become a saint, sacrificing herself for her family, living to make others’ lives better.
“Amelia? Whatever it is, we can make it right. But you must tell me if I’m to help.” Mariel’s kindness just made her feel worse. She always was the worse sister. The most selfish, the most unaware, the most rash.
“Are you with child?” Mariel’s soft-spoken question finally freed her of her shock.
Shaking her head, she frowned. “No, I am untouched.”
“Oh good. Then what is it? I’m sure we can do something.”
She wasn’t so sure. Still gripping the chair, she took a deep breath. “Lord Sommerset asked for my hand in marriage. I told him I would marry him under…certain conditions. I never thought he’d accept them, but if he’s here today, I believe he has decided to accept.”
Mariel moved toward the stool before the easel and sat. “Poor dear. You want so much to create a masterpiece, but you knew if you turned down another offer that Mother might balk, despite how proud she is of you.”
She nodded, astounded once again by her sister’s insight.
“But now he has come to accept, and you must agree.”
“Must I?” She strode to the window once again, searching the greyness for an answer to her troubles.
“I’m not as intelligent as Joanna, but I imagine it depends upon what you said.”
She fisted her hands in frustration, silently cursing herself for making such a proposal and now having to admit it and possibly agree to it. She couldn’t look at Mariel, so she spoke to the window. “I told him if he posed for me without clothes, and pretended we have no relationship until I finish the painting, that I would marry him when it was complete.”
“You didn’t…you didn’t…Amelia!”
She swung around to face her sister. “I know, but I did.”
“But why?”
Because she was weak. Because she couldn’t resist the chance to paint the Golden Adonis. How could she explain it to anyone who wasn’t an artist?
Mariel stared at her, her eyes unwavering until understanding dawned. “It’s his appearance. It’s not him you want; it’s how he looks. You want him for your masterpiece.”
She wanted to cry with relief but also to cry because of her situation. “Ever since I first met him, I’ve tried to sketch him, paint him. I think he could be the subject for my triumph.” She looked away. “But I don’t know for sure. I never thought he would accept, but if he’s here with Lord Harewood that’s why.”
Mariel stood and walked toward her. “What does Lord Harewood have to do with this?”
“Lord Sommerset said that we would need two witnesses we trusted since they would be the only ones to know the terms of the agreement. He said he would have Lord Harewood and I said I would have you.”
Mariel took her hand. “And I will be happy to bear witness for you, but I fear I can see no way for you to escape this.”
“I know.” She squeezed her sister’s hand. “I must do what I promised.”
Mariel gave her an encouraging smile. “Maybe this is exactly what you need. Maybe this will give you the inspiration you’ve been looking for to accomplish your dream.”
