The Irish Duke Read Online Free PDF Page B

and she could hear her heartbeat thudding in her ears.
    “I but captured your natural beauty, my dear. The bloom of youth on your cheek, the lovely curve of your throat, hint at the budding womanhood beneath your innocence.”
    She caught her breath. I think I love you. She swayed toward him.
    “Don’t lose your balance.” He caught her shoulders in strong hands and steadied her. Then he took the canvas from the easel. “Let’s go and show your mother.”
    Her flesh tingled where his hands had rested. He touched me. I think he was about to kiss me, if he hadn’t thought I was going to fall in my ballet slippers.
    They found Georgina kneeling on the rug in her sitting room, watching baby Rachel ride her rocking horse.
    “Lanny finished my portrait. We’ve come to show you.”
    “Oh, it’s lovely. You’ve perfectly captured her delicacy.”
    “Louisa’s resemblance to you is unmistakable, Your Grace.”
    “You flatter me, Lanny.”
    “You and the baby make such a beautiful picture. Now that she’s learning to walk, I’d love to paint you together, helping Rachel take her first steps,” he suggested.
    “What a lovely idea.” Louisa picked up her baby sister and kissed her cheek. “She has the prettiest red curls in the world.”
    Edwin held out his hand and helped Georgina to her feet. Then she lifted Rachel from Louisa’s arms, and when the baby began to chortle, they all laughed with delight.
    Elizabeth walked into the sitting room and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw them. “Excuse me. I didn’t mean to intrude on such an intimate family gathering.”
    “Bessy, of course you’re not intruding,” Georgina said smoothly. “Mr. Landseer has just finished a portrait of Louisa.”
    “I’m amazed Woburn needs its own resident artist.” Her tone was disapproving.
    “We are fortunate to have him. Painting the Russells is becoming a full-time occupation,” Georgina said lightly. “Edwin has his own residence and studio in London.”
    “Really?” she drawled, with barely concealed skepticism. “William was out shooting. I just wondered if he’d returned. I’m sure you’ll excuse me?”
    Baby Rachel was about to burst into tears.
    “Bessy has that effect on me too, darling.” Georgina tickled her daughter’s tummy, eliciting another chortle, and they all gave a relieved laugh.
    Louisa picked up her portrait. “I think I’d like to keep this in my bedchamber for a few days before it is added to the picture gallery.” She blushed prettily. “Thank you so much, Lanny.”
    “It always gives me great pleasure to paint you, my dear.”
    Louisa was walking on a cloud as she carried her portrait upstairs to her bedchamber. She removed a sketch her mother had done, replaced it with Lanny’s painting, and stood back to admire it. “He has made me look beautiful. This must be the way he sees me.” Her heart sang at the thought. Lanny is different from other men. He’s never arrogant and selfish. He’s talented, and funny, and so very handsome. After I make my debut, I hope he will court me. I don’t want to marry Lanny, but it might be fun to have him court me. Louisa went off in a reverie, where a pair of sparkling blue eyes gazed at her with longing, and a pair of lips claimed hers with a possessive kiss.
    “It’s such a beautiful day; I think I’ll go for a ride. Perhaps I’ll ask Lanny to come with me.” Louisa changed into a green riding dress that showed off the curve of her young breasts. She pulled on her boots and then she brushed her dark curls and pinned on a saucy feathered hat. She winked at her reflection. “A-hunting we will go!”
    On her way to the main staircase, Louisa crossed the hall that led into the east wing where William and his wife were staying. The sound of Bessy’s shrill voice carried to her and she stopped to listen.
    “She’s so brazen about it! There she was displaying their love child to him, like some trophy. The woman is scandalous. She brings