Page 50 of How the Earl Entices

“An artist’s studio?” she murmured in surprise as she looked around, taking in the dozens of canvases of all sizes leaning against the walls, the worktables covered with bladders and jars of paints and pigments. Bookshelves lined one of the walls, filled with large folios of prints. In the middle sat a half-finished painting on a large easel draped with a sheet. Over it all lingered the stench of linseed oil and charcoal.

“It belongs to Domenico Vincenzo.” Ellsworth’s lips twisted as if at a private joke. “The most brilliant Italian artist since Titian.”

“The most notorious anyway,” Ross clarified.

Ignoring that, Ellsworth nodded toward the stairs. “There are living quarters above that you can use.” Then he fixed a knowing look at Ross. “Don’t touch anything down here. You might move something, and I’ll never find it again.”

Ross nudged her shoulder with his as he confided, “Dom’s still angry about the time we helped him move into a new set of rooms when we were at Oxford.”

“You didn’thelp, and I wasn’t moving rooms.” Ellsworth leaned a shoulder casually against the post, his arms folding over his chest and drawing the jacket tight across his broad back. “I returned from a meeting with my don to find all my belongings and furniture gone.”

“We put everything back exactly as you had it,” Ross defended himself.

“Two days later and two halls to the south.” His gaze swung to Grace. “If he offers to help you, refuse.”

He pushed himself away from the post and stalked slowly toward her, completely unaware of how that innocuous comment sliced into her.

He stopped in front of her and held out his hand. “Dominick Mercer.”

“Grace Alden.”

“My pleasure.”

He smiled flirtatiously as he lifted her hand to place a kiss to the backs of her fingers with a slight bow, as if she were a society lady. A fearful tremor slid through her. Had he recognized her, even with—

“How did such a beautiful woman end up entangled with a rascal like Spalding?” Instead of releasing her hand, he covered it with both of his.

As relief flooded over her that he didn’t know who she was, she gave him a friendly smile. “I always take in strays who come sniffing around my door.”

Ellsworth laughed as she slipped her hand away.

“She’s not kidding.” Ross wrapped her arm around his. The move was more than just a protective gesture; it was a jealous one. Before she could fully consider the significance of that, his handsome face turned serious. “Thank you, Ellsworth, for your help.”

“When I heard the charges that had been brought against you, I knew they were nonsense.” His expression was just as grim as Ross’s. “You’ve done a lot of questionable things in your life, but you’d never betray England.”

“Thank you.” He squeezed her arm, drawing her attention to the marquess’s comment. A recommendation for his character, in case any doubts still lingered in her regarding his innocence.

But she could have reassured him about that. Her unease now had nothing to do with treason.

Ellsworth handed him the key. “The place is yours. I’ve hired workers to reface the brick and make repairs to the façade, so no one else is currently using the building. I’ve halted work for the sennight while you’re here. But I won’t guarantee your safety.” The marquess paused meaningfully, leaving no room for misunderstanding. “If you’re discovered, I won’t come to your defense.”

“I wouldn’t let you.”

The two men silently held each other’s gaze for a long moment, both faces dark and unsmiling.

Then Ross pressed gravely, “And the other item I requested?”

Ellsworth retrieved a wooden case from the bookshelf and set it down on the worktable. He opened it and pulled out a short-barreled pistol. “Caplock.”

Ross let go of Grace’s arm and stepped up to the table.

“Powder, caps, balls, wad—everything you need.”

“Thank you.” Ross picked up the pistol and examined it, then expertly set about loading it.

“If you have to use it,” Ellsworth drawled, “try not to splatter blood on the canvases, will you?”

Ross smiled wryly at that. When he looked up at Grace, his smile faded. “Do you know how to use a pistol?”