Her head turned toward him with a blush of embarrassment coloring her high cheeks. “I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me,” he replied in a husky tone. “I should have invited you to stay. Although, I don’t usually seduce intoxicated women.”
“I most certainly was not drunk,” she exclaimed.
“How is your head feeling this afternoon?” Watching the color on her face brighten, he smiled.
“Do be quiet so I can concentrate.”
She turned her attention back to Miss Marston. Her charcoal pencil skipped across the page with amazing results. As he watched, Miss Marston’s features appeared on the paper, first her round eyes then the upward-tilted nose and thin lips.
“If you want me, you know the price.”
Her hand stopped sketching the strands of Miss Marston’s hair. “I didn’t realize you were for hire, Blackburn.”
Matthew chuckled softly. “Only for you.”
“Why?”
“You know why. We’ve kissed twice and both times were amazing.”
Jennette shrugged. “I wouldn’t say that. Besides, I thought you determined I was in love with Ancroft.”
“Are you?” he whispered, not really wanting to know the answer.
“I have loved Nicholas for years.”
Why couldn’t he let this go? She’d admitted her love for Ancroft. He should stop this conversation. And yet, he couldn’t help but ask, “Why haven’t you married him, then?”
“Perhaps he never asked me.”
“Are you done yet, Lady Jennette?” Miss Marston shouted from her bench.
“Almost,” Jennette answered. Her hand returned to the duty of sketching.
“Did you love him when you agreed to marry John?”
“Yes,” she confessed without hesitation.
“So you garnered the attention of three men but only ever loved one.” He looked over to Mary. “Miss Marston, I believe we should return to the house,” he said stiffly.
“Is it finished?” Miss Marston stood and walked toward them.
“Yes, this is finished,” Jennette replied, staring at Matthew.
Miss Marston walked quickly to them. Jennette handed the paper to Miss Marston.
Miss Marston stared with her mouth open. “I—I can’t believe how you made me appear.”
Matthew grabbed the paper out of her hand. He glanced down at the sketch. Jennette had captured Miss Marston’s quiet beauty in a remarkable manner.
“It is so lovely, Lady Jennette. I can’t thank you enough,” Miss Marston said.
“Perhaps you should give it to Lord Blackburn as a keepsake,” Jennette commented.
Miss Marston leaned in closer to Jennette. “It seems a little forward to me.”
“Nonsense.”