Page 25 of A Deal with an Artistic Lady (Marriage Deals #2)

Delighted and emboldened by Caleb’s wonderful news several days previous, that he and Hannah were, indeed, in love, Albert had done some serious thinking about his own future.

He stood within the grand office of the Camden town-house. Lord Camden sat in a large leather armchair, behind his intimidating desk, with the light from the window behind him so that he was cast in an impending shadow.

Albert had only taken a few steps into the office, respectfully but now felt he should have been more resolute and advanced further into the room as there was too much space between them. Stepping forward now, he considered, would appear as a weak man shuffling in afterthought and he needed to be impressive and intrepid, now more than ever before.

‘Lord Camden, I appreciate your making time to meet with me today,’ Albert projected his voice across the void.

Lord Camden only nodded once and interlaced his fingers under his chin, awaiting Albert’s continuation.

‘I have a question for you, My Lord.’

Albert paused. This distance would never do. He boldly took four decisive steps into the room and Lord Camden straightened up, now more stimulated and assigning his attention more intently to his visitor.

‘My Lord, I would like to request your daughter’s hand in marriage. I care for her deeply and believe she has affection for me in return. I promise to always take care of her, I will ensure she is afforded all the luxury she should expect, and that she will live in comfort and happiness.’

Lord Camden narrowed his eyes at the young man standing before him. He knew him – had seen him about. A spirited lad, very handsome, fond friends with the Duke of Montwood, who Lord Camden happened to have great respect for. He seemed confident, self-assured, and intelligent. He believed the man loved Sophia – Lord Camden wondered how anyone could not.

The seconds stretched like hours as Albert awaited his response. If he was declined, in truth, he did not know what would happen to him. Sophia had transformed him from a fun-loving, independent cad, to a committed and devoted man. He had business ambitions and enjoyed time with his friends, but these paled into significance if he could not spend his life with the woman he had recently realised he was in love with.

Albert swallowed hard, watching Lord Camden’s face as he assessed him.

Lord Camden reached a decision and nodded. He spoke no words.

‘Oh!’ Forgetting the formality, Albert rushed forward to shake Lord Camden’s hand ‘My Lord, thank you! I will take care of her, you have my solid word. Thank you, a thousand times, thank you!’

***

Sophia paced on the winding path in the garden. She barely saw the vibrant green of the lawn or the beautiful orange tulips that her skirts brushed past each time she repeated her laps up and down the path.

In truth, she could not read her father well enough to know what his response would be. He had not seemed disappointed that she had ended her debut season without a marriage contract. She knew that her father still infantilised her to a certain extent; he wanted her to remain his little girl, living in their family home. This may be cause enough for him to reject Albert’s request.

Even so, she knew that her father was close friends with Lord Haworth, who had arranged for Hannah to marry Albert’s best friend, the Duke of Montwood. Surely, Sophia considered, this must hold some weight with regard to Albert’s social standing and reputation.

She knew it really could go either way and her fingers fiddled together nervously as she stole furtive glances up at the window where she knew the life-changing conversation would be taking place.

***

Albert stopped at the garden door in the parlour room and took a moment to glance out through the glass before going to Sophia. He saw her anxiously treading the path; she seemed to be muttering to herself which he found adorable. The magnolia tree above her swayed in the light breeze which buffeted petals down around her as if she were already a bride with petals scattered on the ground before her.

Albert took a deep breath and pushed open the garden door, causing Sophia to jump and turn to him with a worried look of expectation. A petal had caught in her hair and Albert thought how he had never seen her look so beautiful as she did in that moment.

Stepping out onto the gravel stones, he thought of what words to use to tell her the good news. He didn’t want to torture her by making her wait and then his body decided for him – he allowed his face to break into a huge grin and that was all the revelation Sophia needed. She squealed in delight and ran to him.

***

Hannah peeked in through the library door, where Caleb sat upon the sofa in his usual state of immersion in a book, while three others piled up beside him, queueing for his attention.

‘May I disturb you?’ Hannah’s voice softly interrupted.

Caleb looked up with a smile.

‘Anybody else may not. But you, of course. How may I help?’

‘If I might borrow you…’ Hannah extended her hand in welcome and Caleb rose from his seat to join her, taking her hand and together they exited the library.

‘Did you mean it, when you said that you would like to see each piece of art I create?’ Hannah asked tentatively.

‘Absolutely.’

‘Then come with me…’ Hannah led him down the corridor toward her art studio. Her voice betrayed anxiety and, understanding what a huge step this was for Hannah, Caleb squeezed her hand in reassurance. She turned back to smile at him.

Once inside, Hannah drew Caleb to the canvas in the corner which was covered with a cloth. She took a deep breath, before pulling on one corner and as the cloth fell to the floor, she revealed the bold, charcoal strokes and shading of Caleb’s face. Caleb took a deep breath in as the completed image was revealed. The likeness was astonishing – he could almost be looking in a mirror. Although when Caleb looked in a mirror, he was serious, yet in this picture, Hannah had teased the corners of his lips with the suggestion of a smile. When Caleb looked in the mirror, he practised the indomitable, candid glare of the Duke he wished society to respect. Hannah, however, had captured the glint of fondness in his eyes and a slight narrowing of his eyelids betrayed a vulnerability and desire to be loved. It astounded Caleb how simply canvas and charcoal could capture such underlying emotions that only Hannah had seen in him. Here was a portrait, not only of the Duke of Montwood, but of Caleb, the husband.

Caleb turned to her, surprised to see how intently she was watching his reaction. Her face nervously questioned whether he approved and, without words, he reached forward for her and met her lips with a grateful, tender kiss.