“Oh good! Mr. Blackburn will not let me see it yet, but I will pose for one of the characters and see it then. He has been educating me about art, you know. We’ve been looking through books of engravings and having discussions. Did you know he trained under his father, and then with some of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, as they call themselves? He is a remarkable talent. His work will be an attraction at Dundrennan.”
“If we charge visitors to see it, we could pay for even more carpeting,” he teased.
She wrinkled her nose. “You really should sell some old things. We do not need to keep it all. Sir Edgar Neaves is willing to take some off your hands, though Auntie Lillias thinks you and Sir Edgar may come to blows over some matters.”
“No doubt,” Aedan agreed, and left it at that.
“Aedan, I’m reminded of that painting you keep in your private study off your bedroom, painted by that other Blackburn, Christina’s late husband. It’s beautiful but rather shocking as I recall—I haven’t seen it since you moved it to your rooms. It’s a dark and rather passionate thing. Christina posed for that one, did she not?”
“She did. Stephen Blackburn was a brilliant artist, though I understand he had a troubled nature.” He did not want to say more.
“Is that why she is such a quiet little thing, despite her portrayal in the painting? She keeps to somber colors and seems bookish and academic. I wonder if she hides herself in some way. Without those dull colors and the spectacles, she could be a dazzling beauty, if she ever woke up to the fact.”
“An odd way to put it, waking up. But very apt.” He gave her a tight smile.
“Asleep like the girl in the painting, which I think is the fairy tale of the Briar Rose.”
“Similar to the tale of the princess of Dundrennan,” he murmured.
“Christina is a dear girl. I like her very much. I will be sorry to see her leave when she finishes her work on that hill.”
“Aye,” he said. “Though I think she is not always sober and bookish.”
“We will not find out, will we, for she will leave soon. Though when she is with you, she fairly sparkles. Have you noticed? And you are much improved in her company as well.”
He raised a brow. “Am I?”
“Not nearly the grumpy as you sometimes are. Auntie Lill says Christina brightens your old tarnished soul and does you good. You smile more these days.”
“Do I?” He felt a bit stunned. He had not noticed that, yet others had.
“You look a bit thunderstruck, Auntie says.”
“Thunderstruck?” He made sure to scowl to counter that.
“Do not be a daft, Aedan. What are you going to do about it?” Amy asked.
“About what?”
“Your interest in Christina Blackburn.” Amy pouted. “I wanted to mention it to you, but hesitated to bring up the subject.” She paused. “I thought that, well, someday we might…” She stopped. He waited. “Aedan, I am truly fond of you. But I do not think I could marry you.”
He stared as if he did not comprehend her words. “That was blunt, my dear.”
“I am sorry. I do not mean to disappoint you, but I think we are just not suited to one another.”
“Ah.” Her revelation was unexpected but welcome. He had never been keen on courting his cousin, even if it was expected. Avoiding love was a way to void the curse.
“Dear, kind Aedan. You can be so secretive and a bit dull, if I am honest. So practical and involved in your work. You do not notice dirt on your clothing or boots, you spend long hours in the field and let the sun brown your cheeks. And you hardly notice changes I make in your own house until I point them out to you.”
“I do notice. And I am sorry if it seems dull.” He shrugged, a bit bewildered, yet feeling a sense of freedom, a burden lifted, though Amy would always be a close friend.
“Sir Hugh called you steel and numbers, I remember. He was a poet, but you are a man of the earth. He was right. You have a good bit of steel in your character, and I have always admired that strength.”
“Even if it is dull?” He let his eyes twinkle.
She leaned close to whisper. “May I confide a secret? I am growing fond of Mr. Blackburn. I think he likes me in return. Hemight wish to court me, but will not if he thinks I am promised to my cousin through a family arrangement.”
Aedan nodded, feeling unabashed relief. “I am very fond of you, but I believe we will be better off as friends. I care about your happiness.”
