She chuckled that he knew her so well. “Because I won’t?”
His smile turned sly as he licked her palm then sucked one of her fingers into his mouth.
The sudden spike of excitement caught her unawares. “Oh.” The feeling continued as he slowly pulled her finger out.
“Now, are there any other pages in that book of yours that you wish to explore?”
How could just his words set her fairies to dancing again? “As a matter of fact, there are. Shall I show you?”
“Yes.” Andrew gazed at her. “I want to fulfill your every wish.”
She cupped his chin. “You already have and more.”
As he pulled her head down for a kiss, she had to admit that painting the earl had been her smartest proposal yet.
Epilogue
March 1, 1817
Amelia walked intothe dining room of Lyonsmere to find her husband at the sideboard and her sister and the duke reading the newspaper. She could just imagine how quiet it must be at breakfast at Burhleigh Hall where they resided when Joanna’s school was not in session.
Andrew turned with his plate and smiled at her. “Here she is.”
Both Joanna and James looked up from their paper, but Joanna spoke. “Whenever did you paint that portrait of Belinda? It captures her very soul. I must have one for the school.”
She moved her gaze to her latest effort. Even she admitted it was an outstanding piece. She was quite pleased with it. “I finished it yesterday before you arrived. It didn’t take long. I find that the more I love my subject, the easier it is to paint it.”
James looked to Andrew who sat at the head of the table. “Will you have a portrait of yourself in every room then?”
He took a sip of tea and grinned. “If that’s what my wife wishes, that’s what will be.” He winked at her. “I find I’m quite good at posing.”
She felt her cheeks heat and stopped by the sideboard to fill her plate to hide her blush. By the time she turned and joined them at the table, sitting next to her husband, her embarrassment was under control. “Is Mariel still out riding then?”
“She is.” Joanna studied her. “You haven’t said yes to a painting of Belinda.”
“Oh, of course I will.” She paused, cocking her head. “Do you think Lord Harewood would wish to have one?”
James and Andrew shared a look, and she pounced on it. “What is it?”
Andrew clasped her hand. “I know your thought is to be kind, but it would be best that he is not reminded of her. He will need to find a wife one day and I fear he won’t find someone to love as I have if he still pines for your sister.”
She understood what he said, but her chest hurt that she couldn’t provide a painting to the man who brought her Andrew. She gave a short nod. “I understand. I will have Pratt move this one before Lord Harewood visits next week.”
“Are you not going to Town?” James asked the question as if he were hoping that were the case.
She found that odd, though in fact, perhaps it wasn’t. He was not overly fond of London. “I believe we may miss the whole season. Andrew has insisted I meet all the tenants and then we must make the rounds.”
“Not to mention a trip up to Scotland so my lovely wife can paint the rugged highlands.”
Andrew’s announcement of their honeymoon had Joanna’s eyes rounding. “But I thought the two of you would prefer to travel to the continent where all the great masterpieces reside.”
“You mean besides the ones here?” Andrew raised his brows.
Joanna didn’t miss a beat. “Well, of course. These masterpieces,” she waved toward the painting of Belinda that reigned over the fireplace, “you can see every day.”
Her husband opened his mouth to respond, but she jumped in. “We would very much love to return to the continent, this time together, but with the famine and sickness after last summer, we thought to stay closer to home.” She gave her husband a meaningful stare. “I’m sure we will return to the continent another year.”
He nodded, and she breathed easier.
