Page 14 of The Art of Sinning

“Besides, you hate being in town when Parliament isn’t in session. I could barely get you to stay tonight.”

“That’s true, but—”

“And we do have that charitable event in Preston for the boys’ school you support—I can’t sit in London being painted while the plans for that languish. Though if you want to put the portrait off for a few weeks, that could work. Of course, I don’t know how long Mr. Keane intends to be in town...”

Jeremy resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Blakeborough seemed entirely unaware that he was being managed.

The earl glanced at Jeremy. “You agreed to this? Aren’t you expecting your family to arrive soon?”

“My cousin wasn’t sure exactly when. It could be weeks. And Zoe will send word the moment they do. Your sister tells me you don’t live far from town. Is that correct?”

Blakeborough nodded. He surveyed the two of them as if trying to work out what plot might be afoot. But Jeremy had always been expert at hiding his feelings, and Lady Yvette seemed expert at hiding them from her brother, at least.

At last the earl sighed. “Oh, very well, Yvette, if you prefer it.” He turned to Jeremy. “Do you play chess? Or any sort of cards?”

“Occasionally. Though I’m not particularly good at either.”

“Even better,” Blakeborough said with a rare smile.

Jeremy wondered if the earl possessed many friends. He didn’t seem to. It was another thing they had in common.

“Well, then,” Lady Yvette said, “we’re agreed. Since I assume you’re staying with your cousin, Mr. Keane, we’ll fetch you in the morning before we leave for Stoke Towers.”

Although he found her high-handedness amusing, even seductive, she was sometimes a bit presumptuous even for him. “I’m afraid that’s too soon. I can start sketching right away, but the canvases must sit in your home for at least a week to acclimate to the temperature and humidity. So there’s little point in my joining you before that’s done.”

“Canvases?” Blakeborough echoed suspiciously. “More than one?”

“Quite a few, actually, in case the work goes awry and I have to begin again. Or I change my mind about my approach, or I decide—”

“We understand,” Lady Yvette said with a furtive look at her brother.

“So if you don’t mind fetching my canvases in the morning,” Jeremy went on, “I’ll come out myself early next week.”

“I see,” she said. “Well, then, tell me the day you mean to arrive, and I’ll send the carriage for you.”

“I prefer to use my own equipage, so I may come and go as I please.” He added, with a bit of sarcasm, “If that’s acceptable.”

She colored deeply. “Of course, but I assumed, that is—”

“That I would be happy to dance to your tune.”

“Certainly not. I just thought perhaps you didn’t have an equipage.”

Right. He was no fool—she’d begun to consider him easy to manage, too. Well, she was in for a surprise. No one managed him—not his mother, not his sister, and definitely not some lofty lady of the realm.

“Actually, my lady,” he said silkily, “I own a curricle for my use while I’m in England. Give me the direction to your estate, and I’ll present myself at whatever time you see fit next Monday.”

“I have a meeting that morning, but I’ll be home around two,” Blakeborough interrupted, sparing a sympathetic glance for his sister. “So any time after that will be fine.”

“One more thing.” Jeremy fixed his gaze on Lady Yvette. “I’ll need to bring my apprentice. His aid will ensure I finish the portrait more quickly.”

“Very well,” she said. “Will he be staying with you? Or shall I find a room for him elsewhere?”

“He’ll be comfortable enough in your servants’ quarters, if you can accommodate him.” He took another chance to provoke her. “I’llbe fine in your servants’ quarters if that’s what your ladyship prefers.”

“I’d prefer that you not be ridiculous,” she muttered, eliciting a choked laugh from her brother.

Jeremy bowed. “I shall do my best to oblige your ladyship.”