Page 48 of The New Earl’s Convenient Wife

At her nod, they wandered through the spaces, stopping to view several paintings by the eminent portraitist Thomas Lawrence.

She stopped to study each, saying ‘I’ve not done much portraiture. Maybe I will give it a try. But not formal portraits like these; like with my animal studies, I’d rather attempt to capture my subject in a natural pose. Perhaps I could do some sketches of Hart and Claire’s children. As I once told you, I only make likenesses of something or someone I care deeply about. The Duke and Duchess have been so kind and supportive, especially Claire.’

They moved on to study some of Constable’s landscapes, then to discover the work of several lady artists. Juliana particularly admired the room hung with drawings, exclaiming over Miss Whitworth’s Butterflies from Nature, chuckling at Miss Maynard’s A Fly and closely studying the Fish by Miss Roberts.

They ended their tour in the Council Room, which was hung with works for which the artists had been elected as Members of the Royal Academy. As they paused beneath Turner’s View of Dolbadern Castle, Rafe said curiously ‘What do you think of this one?’

‘Though the verse under the painting refers to the imprisoned Owen of Wales, the figure, so tiny at the bottom of the painting, seems unimportant. It’s the vast sky, with the castle tower silhouetted against it, that captures one’s attention.’

‘The boiling clouds behind the castle a metaphor for the prisoner’s despair, perhaps?’

She shook her head. ‘Perhaps. One great difference in my work; I wish to capture the essence of the subject. If I were drawing an imprisoned prince in despair, I should focus on him, rather than the sky and clouds. That said, I prefer sky, clouds and creatures of nature to grand allegorical schemes. I suppose those are the sorts of pictures collectors wish to buy, else the prominent painters wouldn’t produce so many of them. Well, I suspect by now you are more than ready to take your leave.’

Much as he was admiring the artwork and enjoyed watching Juliana’s delighted absorption, he couldn’t help but admit she was correct. ‘Shall we treat ourselves to tea at Gunter’s? Perhaps accompanied by a pineapple ice, their specialty, to counteract the heat of the day. Then I have a suggestion about how we might finish off the afternoon.’

She raised her eyebrows. ‘Really? At Gunter’s? Do the plane trees in the square offer that much concealment?’

‘No erotic interludes, minx. Not at Gunter’s, at any rate. Come, let’s get that tea. I’ll tell you my idea while you devour your ice.’

Half an hour later, they were seated in the tearoom, their treats on the table before them. ‘Once we’ve refreshed ourselves, I propose we go to Turner’s Gallery,’ Rafe said. ‘You may have noted Turner showed only one painting at the Exhibition this year. He’s well enough known now that he prefers to keep much of his work at his own gallery and sell directly from there. In addition, he keeps several pieces on display that are personal favourites he doesn’t wish to sell—Frosty Morning and one of his signature pieces, Hannibal Crossing the Alps.

Juliana looked up at him curiously. ‘First the tour of the Royal Academy, then Turner’s Gallery? I had no idea you were so knowledgeable about art.’

Rafe grinned. ‘I might try to brag about having hidden depths, but in honesty, I must confess that while at the club last week, I bent the ear of one of my Oxford classmates, Charles Leiminster. Art has been Chuffy’s passion since university, and he is quite knowledgeable. It required only a few questions to set him off spouting a flood of information of which I probably recall less than half. I did try to memorize as much as possible about Turner, thinking you would appreciate his style.’

She paused, spoon of ice halfway to her lips, studying him wonderingly. ‘You went to so much trouble—for me?’

Rafe shrugged. ‘Knowing how reluctant you were initially to come to the City, I want to make sure you enjoy it as much as possible. Before we return to Thornthwaite, I want to give you every opportunity to take advantage of what the London art world offers. To inspire you to expand and continue your own work, here and when we return.’

To his alarm, her eyes filled with tears. Before he could say anything, she touched his arm, dashing away the tears with her other hand. ‘I don’t mean to turn into a watering pot. But…most of my life, what I love to do, the things that are important to me, have been criticized or at least discouraged. Your support means more than you could know.’

‘It’s about time you were encouraged,’ he said bitingly. ‘Even were you not as talented as you are. I find it something close to criminal that your parents were so disobliging.’

‘I can only thank you again. But…are you sure you’ve not had enough art for one day?’

‘I can handle a bit more. With me about to make my entry into Parliament, soon my daytime hours may not be my own. I won’t have to attend all the debates, of course—few members do—but since I am just beginning, I should be present rather faithfully for at least a few weeks. So I may not have another opportunity to escort you.’

‘Then if you are sure you truly haven’t already had a surfeit of artwork, I should love to go,’

After finishing their treats, they embarked in another hackney to Turner’s Gallery on Harley Street. Excited to view so many works in the artist’s distinctive style, Juliana immediately gravitated to the sketches and landscapes of ordinary people, preferring those to grand ‘historical’ paintings so beloved of critics and collectors.

Drifting from one to the next, she stopped short with a gasp before his Distant View of Plymouth, in which the artist’s usual brown-hued canvas featured instead a sea of vivid blue with fields of bright green and gold.

It seemed the perfect moment for Rafe to achieve his primary purpose in bringing her here. ‘I wish I had pockets deep enough to purchase a painting for you, but I don’t—for now. Fortunately, there is another option.’

As he led her across the gallery, he said, ‘For several years now, Turner has created mezzotints and engravings of his watercolors. The prints, unlike his paintings, are quite affordable. I should like you to choose one, to keep as inspiration and a memento of our London sojourn.’

Stopping before a display that featured an assortment of the prints, Rafe waited while Juliana leafed reverently through the collection. At length, she pulled out a view of the Yorkshire coast, with fisherman trying to put out their boat across the pounding surf in a squall while sea-birds struggled against the wind. Then she found a more pastoral one of a flock of sheep on a hillside, their shepherd lounging in their midst.

‘I can’t decide,’ she said, looking up at him. ‘The Yorkshire coast is so wild and free, but the flock of sheep makes me think of home.’

‘Take them both.’ When she began to protest, he said, ‘Don’t be silly. The two together cost less than one fancy gown. And, I think, would be much more prized by you.’

Once again, her eyes sheened with tears. ‘They would. Are you sure I may have both?’

She looked so sweetly awed and grateful, something twisted in his chest, filling him with an aching tenderness. He’d almost pulled her close in a hug when a shock of warning stilled him. Step back and calm down, a little voice insisted. No need to become so…emotional.

‘You shouldn’t indulge me so—but I can’t resist. Oh, yes, let me have them both!’