She dropped the pastel in frustration. Obviously, he wasn’t going to sit or stand still unless she agreed to whatever it was he wanted now. “You’re forgetting that for me to complete this sketch, you need to remain still, and I can’t sketch your face while looking at your back.”
He looked over his shoulder at her. “Is this better?”
Now he was just being impudent. Purposefully, she lifted her pastel and stared at his backside. “I can always sketch another part of you.”
Instead of being offended, he chuckled. “Well, I’m told that’s my best side.”
For some reason, her cheeks heated. She set down her pastel and gave him her undivided attention. “What do you want?”
Chapter Seven
Andrew turned toface her now that he had her attention, but he lifted his brows in pretended ignorance. “Want?”
She crossed her arms and gave him a stare better than any cook gave him when he’d been caught stealing Shrewsbury cakes. “You are perfectly cognizant of what I’m referring to.” Despite her stern visage, humor danced in her eyes.
Pleased she wasn’t truly irritated, he grasped the back of the chair with both hands. “What I would like for standing still while you sketch me is that you be present tomorrow when Harewood, his mother, and myself come to call.”
She opened her mouth to object, but he held up his hand and she closed her lips tightly.
“I know we have an understanding of appearing to have no relationship. However, we also don’t want to change any natural behaviors which might call attention to us, as in the gossip that there is a bad history between us.” And if he was to bring her to some understanding of who he was and what their life would be like in the future, he needed to be in her presence as much as possible.
Her gaze shifted away from him as she thought over his words. She might think that sketching his profile was pleasurable, but he would as soon enjoy the sight of hers. The knowledge that he would be able to see her like this for the rest of his life pleased him. It had to be that he had begun to know the person beneath the pretty appearance that made him feel so.
Finally, she looked at him. “To be honest, it would be unusual for me to be about the house at that time of day, but I suppose I can complain about the greyness outside not being suitable for painting. Very well, I accept your terms. You will remain still and quiet for the next hour.”
He’d never said anything about being quiet, but since she’d accepted his proposal, he’d be satisfied…for now. “Very good. Would you like me looking out the window then?”
She uncrossed her arms and leaned one elbow on her table. “No, I believe for my next sketch, I’d like you to sit in the chair and look at the curtains behind me.”
He stepped around the chair. He liked challenging her. Every time he did, she revealed a bit more of herself. Sitting, he stretched his legs out in front of him and linked his hands behind his head. “Will this do?”
She didn’t move for a moment as if she were seeing something beyond him and yet him at the same time. It was a bit unnerving.
Blinking, she sat up and lifted her pastel holder. “Yes, stay exactly like that, but focus on the painting behind my easel.”
He’d rather watch her, but that was not the bargain, so he moved his gaze over her shoulder, past the top of an empty easel, to view the painting hung on the wall. It was hardly anything she’d paint as the scene appeared to be from the era of Henry VIII and included a Bishop and a royal entourage. He didn’t recognize the style as any particular master, but most likely she was far more knowledgeable on that score.
It was her knowledge, her constant amusement, and self-effacing comments that had had him anxious to come to Bedford, but it had taken almost two months to accomplish. Finding a companion for his mother had been most difficult as she couldn’t seem to make a decision on one person. Finally, a Mrs. Bolton was able to persuade her that she would do.
Though he’d chaffed at the delay, it had given him time to think, to plan his strategy in winning his betrothed’s heart. He could see no other way to be assured she would marry him once her painting of him was complete and she discovered he needed her dowry as much as her.
But she clearly didn’t wish to be courted. In her mind, it was obvious that they had made a contract, and she would fulfill her obligation if he filled his. Unlike other women, who wanted him for his appearance, like Lady Frederica, Lady Amelia appreciated his appearance only in that it could be used to create art. Somehow, he would show her they were quite compatible, but to do so he needed to discover more about her.
“You can stand now, if you like, while I finish.”
Her voice brought his gaze back to her, and the fact that the light had shifted in the room. Glancing outside, it looked darker, but with the constant cloud cover, it was difficult to ascertain the time. Pulling his legs under him, he relaxed his arms and stood. Tingles started in his hands, and he wiggled his fingers to get them to stop.
“I have to say, you are an excellent model.”
He caught her watching him before she returned to her sketch.
“That was fairly easy since I was thinking and that’s how I sit to think.” He smiled at her, but she didn’t look up, too engrossed in finishing her sketch. Unable to contain his curiosity, he walked between another table and a chest, her studio a study in chaos, but it suited her.
He stepped around her to look over her shoulder and froze as he stared at himself. He half expected the drawing to move. Something shifted deep in his gut. Shaking his head at the ridiculous notion, he forced himself to study the sketch. The paper was not as large as a canvas, but far larger than that used for letter writing. She’d filled the page with his figure. Every proportion was perfect, but it was his face that had him staring. The look clearly showed he had been thinking. But how? No doubt, it was simply his imagination because he knew that’s what he’d been doing.
She stopped shading and put aside her tool. “I think that’s adequate for today.”
Adequate? He couldn’t allow such a minimal judgment. “That is far more than adequate. That’s excellent.”
