Color of Deception

by Ruth J. Hartman

  Chapter Eleven

  Kitty had completed her rough sketches of the cats. Next she needed to fill in greater detail. More shading around the haunch of the cat’s leg that was visible in the picture and between its giant paws then some textured effects for the fur along the muzzle and tail. That would make it easier when she worked on painting the panorama that evening. She’d have to make sure she had the correct shades of tan and brown for the fur and mane.

  “Good day, Mr. Bexley.”

  She glanced up at the same time that Nathaniel stood and performed a quick bow to an older white-haired gentleman.

  “Good day, Mr. Williamson.” Nathaniel glanced at Kitty and back to the other man.

  Mr. Williamson peeked around Nathaniel, catching Kitty’s eye. Quickly, she averted her gaze and continued to draw, feeling like she’d been caught spying on a private conversation.

  “Who’s your lovely companion, Mr. Bexley?”

  A nearly imperceptible sigh came from Nathaniel. Had he not wanted the other man to acknowledge her? “May I present Miss Sullyard? She’s doing artwork for the magazine.”

  The older gentleman inclined his head.. “Good day.”

  “Good day.” Kitty set aside her paper, preparing to stand.

  “Please, stay seated.” The man inclined his head. “I’d not want to interrupt your work.” He leaned over slightly, glancing at her paper. “Marvelous.”

  Kitty smiled, not sure what to say. She’d been told not to stand, should she—

  “Listen, Mr. Bexley, might I have a word with you? In private?”

  Nathaniel looked down at Kitty, his eyebrows raised. Was he asking her permission? Surely not. Kitty lowered her head and started sketching again, hoping it would send the message that she was quite busy and couldn’t be bothered to get in the men’s way. She was only doing work for Nathaniel’s uncle, not someone in whom Mr. Williamson would be interested.

  “Certainly,” Nathaniel said to Mr. Williamson. Then to Kitty, “If you’ll pardon me, Miss Sullyard. I shan’t be long.”

  With another nod, she watched them depart then resumed her drawing.

  Boot steps drew near. Had Nathaniel forgotten something? “Working on your little pictures again?”

  Kitty startled at the feminine voice. She peered up. Miss Queensbury. Perfect. “Little pictures? Well, the panoramas are miniature, so I suppose, yes.” Why was she there?

  Without invitation, Miss Queensbury took a seat next to Kitty. The nerve. The last thing Kitty wanted to do was spend any time with her. Maybe if she just ignored her, she’d go away.

  Movement from the corner of Kitty’s eye drew her attention. Miss Queensbury’s boot tapped out a rapid beat on the ground. Was the woman irritated about something? Take your worries someplace else, please.

  A gentle clearing of the throat came next. Was she not going to leave Kitty alone? After letting out a long breath, Kitty set her pencil down on top of the paper in her lap and gave Miss Queensbury her attention. But she didn’t say anything. Let her do the speaking. I’ll not go out of my way to accommodate her.

  “Miss Sullyard.”

  Kitty continued to watch her, unblinking.

  Miss Queensbury’s face colored a ripe-apple red. “It seems to me that you are insinuating yourself in places you do not belong.”

  “I’m quite certain I’m allowed at the zoo. Even wild animals are permitted here.”

  “Not the zoo,” she forced out between clenched teeth.

  “We’re not at the zoo?” Kitty lowered her eyebrows and tilted her head to the side. “Imagine my embarrassment at sketching a lion. What must people think of me?”

  “Cease your inane jabbering.”

  Kitty bit the inside of her lip, hoping not to laugh.

  “What I meant was you’re attempting to align yourself with your betters.”

  “How so?”

  Miss Queensbury’s stare darted in the direction of Nathaniel and back.

  With a shrug, Kitty eyed the other woman. “I know not what you mean. I’m here on business, as… Mr. Bexley previously stated.” Thank goodness she caught herself before saying Nathaniel’s name.

  “Oh, I think you do. You’re dressed as a pauper, but I see some intelligence behind those eyes.”

  She fisted her hands in her lap. Not that she’d strike the woman. But she’d certainly enjoy doing so. “Pardon me for the inconsequential state of my attire. Not everyone can come from money.”

  Miss Queensbury raised one eyebrow. “My, my… Such a scathing tongue you have.”

  Kitty flipped a hand in her direction. “We all have at least one talent, I suppose.”

  Miss Queensbury’s gaze drifted to the sketch in Kitty’s lap. “Such a pity you’ve only got one.”

  If I grit my teeth together any tighter, they are sure to snap off. “What is it exactly I can do for you? I am here on assignment. Some of us must work to put food on the table.”

  As she leaned closer, so close Kitty was nearly overwhelmed by her scent of roses, Miss Queensbury lowered her voice. “You can stay away from Nathaniel Bexley.”

  “I beg your pardon.”

  “You heard every syllable.” She jabbed her finger at Kitty’s face. “Stay away.”

  “That’s a difficult request, considering I’m doing work for his uncle’s magazine and he has accompanied me here.”

  Miss Queensbury tapped her boot on the ground again. “You thought what I said was a request? It was an order.”

  Kitty snickered. “Really, your sense of humor is quite absurd.”

  “Sense of… Absurd?” Her mouth opened and closed unattractively like a dying fish.

  “As nice as this conversation has been, I really must return to my work. That mane won’t sketch itself, you know.”

  Moving her head slowly, Miss Queensbury eyed the lion in question and blinked. She appeared to be quite out of sorts. Perhaps no one had ever dared speak to her like that before.

  In that case, I’m pleased to be the first.

  Miss Queensbury shook her head as if trying to rid herself of her sudden lethargy. With eyebrows lowered, she stared at Kitty. “You will regret that.”

  Kitty, legs trembling slightly beneath her skirt, lifted her chin. “I think not.”

  “Let me use small words so even you can understand.”

  Kitty’s fist tightened to the point that her knuckles grew white. “Just because you’re wealthy and I’m not doesn’t give you the right to be so condescending.”

  “My, my. What a large word. I’m shocked you know what it means.”

  The pencil in Kitty’s hand was in danger of being snapped in two. “Say whatever it is you feel you must and go.”

  “Very well. You will stay away from Nathaniel Bexley because he is mine.”

  “I highly doubt he sees the situation as you do.”

  “He’s mine, even though he sports that embarrassing limp. But I can put up with that if I must.” Miss Queensbury gave a toss of her head. “He just doesn’t realize yet that we shall be man and wife. Oh, but we will.”

  “And you think to convince him?” Kitty wanted to strike the woman for her comment about Nathaniel’s limp. The nerve. It wasn’t all that noticeable. But even if it was, Kitty found everything about the man to be endearing.

  “Do you think he’ll take a second glance at you?” Miss Queensbury laughed, but it held no humor. “Such a simple girl you are, painting your little pictures, desperately hoping someone will buy one so you won’t starve.”

  “If you’re so concerned about discussing money, perhaps you’re sniffing around the wrong cousin. Nathaniel doesn’t claim to be the wealthy one.”

  “I know that.”

  “Then why—”

  “My father insists that I wed one of the Bexley men since our families have been long acquainted and Father’s lands are adjacent to theirs. He says he won’t give me a large dowry unless I do. If it came to that, I wouldn’t be able to find a suitable husband.” Sh
e gave a haughty sniff. “Walter is much too young. I find Stratford to be a distasteful womanizer. But Nathaniel on the other hand…”

  “Did I hear my name mentioned?”

  Kitty sucked in a breath. She hadn’t realized just how close she’d been to Miss Queensbury until she spotted Nathaniel standing in front of them. How must that have appeared? She sat up straight, wishing the other woman would leave. How was Kitty going to explain what Nathaniel had interrupted?

  With as artificial a smile as Kitty had ever seen, Miss Queensbury simpered and batted her eyelashes at Nathaniel. He angled his head a little to the left, studying her like she was some rare creature he’d never seen before. And wasn’t at all impressed with.

  Kitty bit her lip, hoping to keep hold of her mirth. So much for the other woman having claimed to have Nathaniel’s interest. I take that back. He does appear interested, just not in the way she might wish.

  “How… pleasant to see you today, Miss Queensbury.” Nathaniel gave a barely imperceptible bow. Was that to discourage her or embarrass her?

  Miss Queensbury, expression frozen in place, put out her hand for him to take. After Nathaniel scarcely made contact with the air surrounding her glove, Miss Queensbury glanced over at Kitty. “It appears I’ve once again happened upon your office worker. Slaving away on her little painting.”

  Having already heard the woman’s derisive evaluation of her work, Kitty forced a grin. Was that the best the woman could do? Simply repeat her thinly veiled insult from before?

  Such a pity. The woman was a raving beauty but didn’t act very clever. Not at all.

  Nathaniel let go of Miss Queensbury’s hand and straightened. With a warm smile for Kitty, he glanced down at her drawing of the lion. “I happen to think our Miss Sullyard is a genius.”

  Genius? Kitty nearly swallowed her tongue. What lofty praise. Or was that only for Miss Queensbury’s benefit?

  “Well, I…” Miss Queensbury sputtered a few unintelligible words and finally snapped her mouth closed.

  Thank goodness.

  With her spine as straight as a fireplace poker, she stood. “I’m afraid I mustn’t tarry any longer.”

  “Oh?” asked Nathaniel. “What a shame.”

  “Yes, you see…” She pointed vaguely in the direction of a group of people a few yards away. “They are… um, expecting me, and I—”

  “Please, don’t let us keep you.” Kitty said the words with a sober countenance but wasn’t sure how she’d managed it.

  A brief frown crossed Miss Queensbury’s face, and then she batted her eyelashes at Nathaniel. “Until later, then?”

  He bowed, this one a little deeper than the last. Was he relieved to see her go?

  With a flounce of her skirts, she sailed off in the direction of the group. Kitty watched for a moment. It was just as she’d imagined. When Miss Queensbury reached the party, she stopped briefly, glanced back toward Nathaniel, and slid by them to disappear around the corner.

  Good riddance to—

  “So,” Nathaniel reclaimed his seat on the bench. “Have a pleasant time with Miss Queensbury?”

  Kitty’s mouth dropped open. It couldn’t be helped. She stared at Nathaniel. And waited. One second. Two. There it is! The left side of his mouth twitched. “I’d say, Mr. Bexley, that I enjoy her company—” She raised one eyebrow. “—every bit as much as you do.”

  His laughter startled the lion, which roared.

  Kitty shook her head, giving a mock frown that would have done Lydia proud. “Now see what you’ve done. The lion has changed positions. My drawing is ruined.”

  He leaned over to study her work. “But surely you can—” With a quick glance at her, he blinked. “Oh. You’re having me on, aren’t you?”

  “Your quickness astounds me.” Her lips quivered, asking, pleading to be set free to indulge in a smile. Her mirth faltered. How am I doing this? Speaking in such a way to someone like him? What if she angered him and he—

  Nathaniel reached down and briefly squeezed her hand. “You, my good woman, are not only beautiful and talented, but a delight to converse with.”

  Her face warmed, both from the compliment and his nearness. “Thank you.”

  “I should be thanking you.” His glance roamed over her face, neck, bodice and back up. “It’s not everyday I get to be in such close quarters with someone who—” He glanced away and back. “—Makes a man wish he and the lady were somewhere more private.”

  Kitty swallowed, remembering being alone with Stratford by the stream. What would it be like to spend time with Nathaniel? The men were cousins, after all. Wouldn’t they be somewhat alike in certain ways? “I… that is…”

  He leaned close, keeping his voice low. With people moving about along the path, Kitty doubted they’d hear his words anyway. “My dear, do you have any idea the affect you have on me?”

  She jerked and stared at him. His eyes were half-closed, his breath coming in rapid puffs on her cheek. Did he mean to kiss her? But he wouldn’t. Not here!

  Kitty gave the paper in her lap a rustle. “I really should get back to my sketch. Unfortunately, it won’t complete itself.”

  Nathaniel blinked. And gave a slow, lazy grin. “As you wish.” He leaned back against the bench and crossed his arms, his focus now on the passersby and not her. A part of her was relieved. Yet disappointed.

  But wasn’t that what she’d wanted? Rakes, under no circumstances, were to be taken seriously.