Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I could not help it. I laughed. If only I had a brush to paint her. When she stirred, I bit my lips closed, sneaking up to her quietly. I only sought to take the pencil and book from her hands to set them beside her. But as soon as I touched them, her eyes snapped open, and there I was: hunched over, my face far too close to hers. I could see every eyelash, every strand of hair upon her eyebrows, all the different shades of brown in her eyes…eyes that widened in terror.
Oh no.
“Do not scream,” I said calmly.
“Ordering someone not to scream means there is a reason why one ought to scream!” She quickly stood up and stepped away from me, holding her pencil as a dagger and her book as a shield.
“You are being ridiculous. Do you truly believe I am the type of man who would attack someone?” I said, dusting my hands as I stood up straighter.
“You are the type of man to kiss someone!” she snapped.
Touché. “I thought we were not speaking of it?”
She huffed, but thankfully relaxed. “Why are you here?”
“I was invited to a weeklong—”
“Not here as in Belclere,” she interrupted and then motioned to the space around the tree. “I mean here, as in under my tree?”
“Do you own the tree? Is no one else allowed to venture toward it?”
She sighed. “Were you not promising the ladies you’d go riding?”
“Did you not scatter all the young ladies around me, thus ending all conversation of a ride? As such, I am free to go where I please.”
“Must you argue with me?”
“Must you argue with me?” I replied. “Especially after the great pains I took to re-create your painting, for which you have not thanked me.”
“Why would I thank you when it was an act of contrition?”
“Because it is common courtesy, in which you claimed to be well versed.”
“When someone does something wrong and makes amends, you are to say, ‘I forgive you,’ not ‘thank you.’ ”
“You have yet to say that, either.”
“I have not had time to speak with you on the matter until now!” She groaned, and then took a deep breath to compose herself…which was amusing. “Your Highness, I received the painting. I thank you, and I forgive your folly in destroying it in the first place. Is this matter now settled?”
“That sounds so forced and spurious.”
Again she breathed in through her nose slowly, and I waited for her retort. Instead, she just got up to go. “I promised my brother I would not argue with you, so I am leaving. Good day.”
“Wait!” I called after her.
“Why? So you can find another reason to pick at me?”
“Is it I who seeks to fight, or you?” When she made a face again, I quickly added, “I truly did not mean to come across you here. I meant to leave you be after putting your things away, so you would not injure yourself. Then you woke, and I wished to inquire about how you liked the painting…but apparently we cannot have a conversation without conflict. So, I will continue on my way.”
“You are greatly talented,” she said suddenly, stopping me leaving. When I turned back to her, she was smiling. “When I saw your painting, I was in awe. Inspired. I stayed up well into the morning to continue working on it.”
“You mean to tell me you did not sleep? You stayed up painting?” Was that why she was sleeping under the tree?
“Yes. I know I ought not to have, but truly, that is how moved I was.”
I grinned. “I’m glad. You are very talented as well. I could tell from what I saw in the library that you have a level of mastery that surpasses many men.”
Her grin widened and she nodded. “Yes, I know.”
I laughed at the look of pride on her face. “You do not even feign humility?”
“In art, absolutely not. I’m quite horrid at a whole host of things, which serves to humble me. The one thing I am good at, I shall declare proudly.”
Such a strange woman. “Do you always speak your thoughts so candidly?”
“No. That would be improper for a lady to do in the company of men.”
“So you are being improper with me?” I should not have asked.
“You started it.”
I chuckled. “You truly know how to hold a grudge.”
“Thank you.”
“That is not a compliment.”
“I’m free to take the words any way I wish.”
“You just enjoy arguing with me, don’t you?”
She smirked and then shrugged. “It’s fun besting you in conversation.”
“Besting me? Hardly. You merely get the last word and leave before I can reply.”
“Exactly. That is how you win.”
Now I laughed.
“I have just realized we are alone! I must go. But see? We were able to have a conversation without conflict!” She smiled, picking up her skirt with her right hand to hurry back.