Color of Deception

by Ruth J. Hartman

  Chapter Three

  Kitty closed her eyes briefly against the memory. When she left the house that morning, her cousin had been livid. Eyes bulging and face florid. Shouting curses and flailing his arms. Kitty and her sisters were trying so hard to sell their miniature panoramas, but making them available and convincing people to buy were two very different things.

  It would be easier if the girls could simply paint while Robert sold their wares. Apparently, her cousin had no interest in that. No, it was all up to the girls to produce the work and make sure someone — anyone — purchased it.

  She pulled out three of her best panoramas, setting two on the counter behind her. Would today yield any better sales results than the last few had? Many people stopped to admire her artistry, but very few purchased them. Comments about her incredible talent always brought warmth to her face. But she’d forego every kind word if someone would only buy one.

  “The gods of good fortune must surely be with me.”

  Kitty gasped. That deep voice. The one like honey. The one attached to the gentleman from the colorman’s shop.

  Mr. Bexley.

  She blinked against the glare from sunshine pouring through a nearby window as she squinted to see him better. “Good day.” She gave what she hoped was an acceptable curtsey, but her legs suddenly felt like they might fail to hold her up. Why did this particular rake disturb her so?

  “What have we here?”

  She frowned. “Pardon?”

  He reached out his hand. What was he doing? Was he trying to touch her? Although she’d been temporarily overcome by his charms in the shop, they now stood out in public with many people passing by. Kitty glanced to her left, hoping her sister was close, but Patience stood several feet away and was speaking to an older couple.

  She opened her mouth to ask what Mr. Bexley thought he was about.

  “Are you an artist, then?” Was he asking because she’d purchased colors from Worsley’s shop?

  Kitty glanced down. Oh. Right. She was still holding one of her panoramas. The one depicting a scene from Astley’s Amphitheatre. “Um… yes. I am.”

  “May I have a closer look?”

  He wasn’t the type of person who was normally interested in her work. Most often, women were the ones to take notice, subsequently cajoling their husbands into a purchase for them or their children. However, not so much lately. She gave a shrug. “Certainly.”

  He reached for her hand but didn’t remove the panorama from her fingers. Instead, he wrapped his own around hers, his skin warming her through their gloves, and brought her hand up near his lips. Her breath hitched. Was he—

  Mr. Bexley rotated her hand slightly, gently removed the panorama and then kissed the back of her hand. Without meaning to, Kitty gazed from his lips to his eyes. Eyes that were the exact color of the London sky peered at her with such intensity she fought the impulse to sit down.

  Heavens above.

  From his full-lipped, one-sided smile to his blue eyes with long lashes that screamed beauty over handsomeness, the man was pure sensuality. Kitty tugged her hand away, afraid if she remained that close to him a moment longer she’d melt into a hot steamy puddle on the path.

  That would certainly gain people’s attention. Not that it would help her cause of making sales.

  Mr. Bexley unrolled the tiny panorama the rest of the way to see it to the end. He studied it for a couple of minutes, head bent low to scrutinize the minute brush strokes. “Extraordinary detail, Miss Sullyard.”

  Worsley had mentioned her name in front of Mr. Bexley, but hearing him speak it gave her a jolt. “Thank you.”

  “Have you done this long?” He tapped the panorama with his finger.

  “Since I could hold a paintbrush.”

  He peered closer at the picture. The trick rider stood atop four horses at once, his left foot on the back of the horse to the far left, his right foot likewise on the back of the far-right horse.“I admire anyone who has artistic ability. And yours far surpasses those of any I’ve seen.”

  Kitty slumped her shoulders and twisted her hands together in front of her. Men like him, the ones who flirted with her, generally only wanted one thing. And it wasn’t an interest in her art. “Now you’re just being kind.”

  “Kind or not, it’s the truth. Who taught you to paint with such care? Such attention to the tiniest detail?”

  By the condition of her worn clothing, surely he knew she couldn’t have had any formal instruction in art. “My cousin.”

  Mr. Bexley looked directly into her eyes. “He’s a painter, as well?”

  “He used to be. But his hands are knotted with arthritis, and he can no longer hold a brush for very long.”

  “That’s a pity.”

  “Very much so. But my sisters and I all paint.” Why was she telling him so much about herself? She didn’t know him. Memories of how she’d clamored for his attention at their earlier meeting reminded her of what a hoyden she must have appeared to someone of his status.

  “Without even making their acquaintance, I am most assured that you are the loveliest.” He winked.

  Kitty’s face heated. She’d often been told the same by those who had seen all three sisters together. She didn’t know why she’d been blessed with such an appearance.

  But for Mr. Bexley to say something so brash to her and without even having set eyes on her sisters made something in the pit of her stomach quiver like a new leaf in a strong breeze.

  She opened her mouth to tell him that in fact he could see one of her sisters if he’d look ten feet to the left, but the way he was staring at her, right into her eyes, stole whatever words she’d been about to say.

  If the man wasn’t interested in buying some of her art, was only wanting to ogle her, she needed to find a polite way to get him to leave. Flirting was one thing, but she was there to try to sell her artwork. Robert demanded a precise accounting at the end of each day to see how many the girls had sold.

  Reaching out her hand, Kitty hoped he’d return the panorama without her having to ask. She forced herself to meet his eye. “Thank you for your kind words about my painting, Mr. Bexley.”

  He moved the panorama just out of her reach. “I’m not so sure I want to give it back.”

  “Pardon?” She frowned and lowered her hand. Was he thinking to abscond with her work? With something she’d spent countless hours on? Her back and neck still hurt from the work she’d done the evening prior.

  He raised one eyebrow. “I’d like to purchase it. If it’s for sale, that is.”

  “Oh.” Her inner self clapped for joy. “Of course.”

  “What is your price?” He held up his hand. “Wait. Don’t tell me.” With narrowed eyes, he studied her from chin to eyes. “Perhaps there’s a way to—”

  “To what?” she blurted.

  Mr. Bexley leaned toward her slightly. “Will you come with me?”

  Anger shot through her. Go with him? “Forgive my impertinence, but I don’t believe I like the direction this conversation is headed.” Kitty tapped her boot on the path. What in the world was he playing at? She wasn’t some bit of muslin he could simply whisk off for a quick tumble.

  But when you flirt, isn’t that what you lead most men to believe?

  He laughed, a deep rumble that flowed over Kitty’s skin, making her tremble. “It’s not how it sounds, I assure you.”

  Kitty swallowed hard. “And why should I trust you?”

  Mr. Bexley stepped closer. “Surely there is someone here with you?”

  “My sister.” She tilted her head toward Patience. They’d attempted to get their great-aunt to accompany them, but she’d insisted it was time for her afternoon nap and stayed home. Robert hadn’t blinked an eye when he told them to go without her.

  “Ah. Your sister is indeed lovely. However, I stand by my earlier assessment of your beauty.”

  Was he mad? Speaking to her like that with people passing by who could overhear?

  “
Mr. Bexley—”

  “I don’t have anything untoward in mind, I assure you. As a matter of fact, I’d like to take you — and your sister — to my place of employment.”

  “I don’t think—”

  “Please.” The word was uttered so softly she imagined it was the whisper of the breeze instead of his voice.

  “Only if you tell me the reason. I’ll not go off with a man… with anyone simply because he asks.” Even if his eyes were the bluest she’d ever seen.

  Mr. Bexley held up the panorama. “Because of this. I think with your talent and my business knowledge, you and I could have something mutually beneficial.”

  Mutually…. “No… No I couldn’t.” She was fairly certain he wasn’t speaking of her work anymore. That he’d like to spend time with her doing something inappropriate. Something warned her that he was the type to not take no for an answer.

  He sighed. “Miss Sullyard, if I had an interest in absconding with you, couldn’t I have simply grabbed your hand and tugged you away from your wares, no matter who witnessed it?”

  “I suppose…” Kitty glanced around at all the people milling about the bazaar. If one person tried to leave with another against her will, someone would notice. Mr. Bexley was correct. Suddenly the notion of him acting in such a fashion seemed ridiculous.

  “Let me ask you this. How have your sales been here lately? Making a nice profit?”

  She tamped down instant irritation at his impertinence. “That’s none of your concern.”

  “True enough. I beg your pardon. I only wished to convey my reason for wanting you to accompany me. I work for Sporting Magazine. I assume you’ve heard of it?”

  “Of course.” Not that her family could afford to buy a subscription.

  “It is my family’s company. My father has tasked me to find new ways of enticing readers to buy a subscription.” Mr. Bexley held up the panorama. “And I truly believe that this might be the key.”

  Kitty hadn’t told Mr. Bexley about her sales. Had she done so, it wouldn’t have been a pretty tale. She tilted her head as she studied him. He seemed sincere. If he really could help her to make more money by painting something for the magazine, shouldn’t she at least hear him out?

  Kitty caught her sister’s eye. Patience had finished her conversation with the older couple and was watching Kitty with one eyebrow raised.

  Although their great-aunt should be with them when they accompanied Mr. Bexley, at least they would have each other. It was of the utmost importance that Kitty go with Mr. Bexley that day. It would be a travesty if she missed out on something to help make more money for her family.

  Wouldn’t it?

  Also, if she made Robert happy, that would only help the tense atmosphere at home.

  Decision made, she gave a single nod.

  “Splendid.” Mr. Bexley smiled at Kitty. “Shall we?”