An Artful Seduction Read Online Free PDF Page B

arrangement,” she said.
    He pointed to Amelia’s landscape of Hyde Park. “Did you paint this?” he asked.
    The signature in the bottom corner wasn’t legible. It was one of Amelia’s tricks. Many customers didn’t want works of art produced by female artists, and they always assumed the work belonged to a male.
    “Yes,” she lied.
    “What about your sisters? Are they artists as well?”
    “Oh, no. They help me with the day-to-day business of the shop. Nothing else.”
    “Are they present?”
    “Of course.” Eliza went to the bottom of the stairs leading to their living quarters above the shop and called out their names.
    Her sisters came down, exactly as they had rehearsed. Chloe carried a tea tray, with a steaming teapot. Amelia’s paint-stained apron was gone, and she had changed into a different dress.
    “May I introduce Amelia and Chloe,” Eliza said. “I took the liberty of preparing tea.”
    Lord Huntington bowed gallantly before the two women. “It is a pleasure to meet both of you lovely ladies.”
    Amelia curtsied properly, but eyed him speculatively.
    “Thank you, my lord,” Chloe said, her blue eyes widening at the sight of the earl. She curtsied with enthusiasm. “It’s a pleasure to have you in our shop.” She set the tray down on an end table beside the settee.
    “Go on, girls,” Eliza said. “There’s work to be done in the back room and Lord Huntington and I have business to discuss.”
    “Thank you for the tea, ladies,” Huntingdon said. “Your shop is quite lovely, but pales in comparison to you both.”
    Amelia tugged on Chloe’s sleeve to get her to leave. Chloe tripped as she strained to glance back.
    Once they were alone, Eliza motioned for him to join her on the settee, poured the tea, and handed him a cup and saucer.
    Dark eyes surveyed her. “Have you learned anything of interest?”
    “I doubt you will believe me, but I recall very little of my father’s acquaintances.”
    He sipped his tea. “You’re correct. I don’t believe you. Have you a name for me?”
    She sat forward. She was expecting him to be difficult and was prepared with her answer. “There is a man who owns a warehouse. He knew Father. I buy art supplies from him, and gilt frames for the artwork I display in the shop. He may have information. I shall meet with him and relay anything I learn—”
    “I shall accompany you.”
    “That’s not necessary.”
    “I shall accompany you and question the man,” he said firmly.
    “You don’t trust me?”
    He flashed a wolfish grin. “As much as you trust me.”
    Oh, what she wouldn’t give to wipe the smug grin from his lordly face.
    “I’m free this morning,” he said.
    She blinked in surprise. “This morning? But Mr. Cain isn’t expecting me.”
    “You do business with the man, correct?”
    She frowned. “Yes, but still—”
    “A businessman’s first interest is in profit.”
    She knew what he was thinking, of course. He wanted to take Mr. Cain by surprise. Unnerve the man in the hopes of obtaining information. “Fine,” she snapped waspishly. “If you insist, my lord.”
    “I insist. Fetch your cloak.”

Chapter Four
    Grayson wasn’t certain what he would find when he had first walked into Eliza Somerton’s print shop. He’d told her he was impressed and it was the truth. The shop offered quality prints as well as original artwork from local artists. Although the art may not be worthy of gracing the Royal Academy, it was skillful and creative. Eliza explained that Mr. Somerton had opened the establishment, but Grayson had an understanding of the art business and knew it took a significant amount of work to maintain and keep the shop profitable.
    Yet he suspected Mrs. Somerton had hardships. The chairs and settee needed refurbishing, the blue curtains were faded from the sunlight, and the counter, though polished to a high shine, was nicked and old. The signs were subtle and her customers would be hard-pressed to notice, but