Page 10 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

Evan and Wellspring stopped short to glare at the lying Harrington.

Meanwhile, Katrina’s eyes lit up. She halted and faced the earl. “Do you have a favorite period of art? Or a favorite artist.”

Wellspring cleared his throat. “Ah, um…”

Harrington willed Evan with imploring eyes, mouthing, “Mates before—”

Katrina must have sensed her brother’s pantomime because she turned to look at him. He quickly averted his gaze to the shoreline.

That damnable adolescent promise that at one time had been an admirable code would cause Evan to suffocate in a heaping pile of shite. On second thought, perchance, it would help him put the memory of Katrina Harrington and her heaving breasts and delectable lips to rest.

“Springy, were you not just telling me how much you admire Sir Francis LeggattChantrey?” Evan asked. “Is he not your favorite artist?”

“Sir Francis LeggattChantrey?” Katrina’s sapphire-colored eyes clouded over with affection. “Do you paint portraits too, Alexander?”

“Of course, he does,” Harrington said. “Springy, you should paint Katrina?”

“Ah, um,”Wellspring sputtered.

“Then, ’tis settled,” Harrington declared with a hand flourish. “You shall paint Katrina. The first sitting shall be tomorrow afternoon.”

Katrina clasped her hands together as poor Wellspring paled.

Evan missed what she said to him because her conniving brother leaned close to whisper, “We need to help the chap out. You’ll paint it.”

How in the deuces was Evan to manage that? Was he to wear a disguise as he painted? Anna all morning and Katrina in the afternoon? Not that he didn’t love painting, but he’d hoped to spend his afternoons soaking up the sea air and the charming town. Besides he did not desire to spend time with Katrina. Did he?

Nay. To hell with the chit!

Since he was usually easy-going, he had no idea what to do with his stomach-souring frustration. Hoping to calm himself, he hastened his steps and walked ahead of the group.

The parade of ten scaled a slope to reach a grassy overlook. Beneath them, the waves rolled until they crashed into the beach. The life-affirming breeze whipped at Evan’s hair, and the sun heated his cheeks. He reached his arms toward the clouds and inhaled. Salt air filled his lungs. He exhaled, and the stress left him with awhoosh.

“Shall we picnic here?” Harrington called.

The chorus ofYeses mingled with the pounding surf and the squawking seagulls.

Two members of Yardley Manor’s staff, and Buttons the butler who didn’t seem to understand he was now considered a guest, laid out blankets and erected a small tent. Baskets of cold meats, bread, cheeses, pickled vegetables, and fresh fruits were arrayed.

Evan piled a plate high and situated himself as far away from Katrina and Elizabeth as possible. The two women sat with Justine and Anna, and the four of them amicably chatted as their colorful bonnet ribbons blew about. It seemed Katrina had convinced her cousin to forgive her. Although it was obvious she still held Evan in low regard because while Elizabeth sent him sideways glances, Katrina stuck her perfect nose in the air and stared past him as if he didn’t exist.

Wellspring and Buttons looked out over the water, conversing as if they were not separated by class and title. Harrington soon joined Evan and they ate in companionable silence. Eventually, Buttons sat with the ladies, and Wellspring plopped down beside Evan.

“Harrington, what is your opinion on this sea bathing?” the earl asked.

“I find it quite enjoyable, and I take part in it regularly,” Harrington said. “I pretend as though I am a large fish and kick my legs as if I have a tail. This spot is quite secluded, so I often come here after sunset, strip naked, and take my preventative dip.” Attempting to show off his athletic physique, he bent his arm ninety degrees and grunted. An impressive muscle strained against the fabric of his tailcoat. “I do not require a cure, but my swimming keeps me as stalwart as Poseidon.”

“Naked?” Wellspring choked on a bite of roast beef.

“You don’t expect me to splash about in my waistcoat and Hessians, do you?”

Evan clapped Wellspring on the back, then pointed down the beach at the colorful wagons and beachgoers dotting the landscape.

“Springy, you could always visit the bathing machines with the women.” Chuckling, Evan rubbed his hands together. “That might be quite fun. I’d wager you can see through their bathing frocks.”

Harrington growled. “I hope you are not referencing my wife, aunt, cousin, and sister.”

Evan pressed two fingers against the throbbing ache overtaking his temple. He missed his irreverent friend who used to laugh at his quipping humor. These days Harrington would cut off his balls if he knew the things he was trying not to imagine doing to Katrina in her bathing costume. Foolish indeed since the woman would never enter the sea. It would mess up her perfect coiffure.