Page 25 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

“What is the prescribed number of dips for that?” Kat asked.

Gertrude whacked her on the back, and Kat hurtled toward the water, her life passing before her eyes.

Chapter ten

June 30th, 1818

Wellspring, always the gentleman, did not berate Evan upon discovering the missing supplies. He’d simply said, “No worries, old chap. ’Tis a lovely day for a constitutional. So let us return to Yardley Manor and retrieve whatever we need.” He’d wrinkled his nose. “But first, we shall dispose of that apple. I suppose that is what I’ve been smelling.”

Evan only felt the fool for a moment before congratulating himself. It was no easy task to flee his room, leaving behind a willing female. What man in the same situation wouldn’t have forgotten dashed art supplies?

No harm was done. They’d tossed the apple to a flock of flying sea rats, then returned to Yardley Manor, where they filled the satchel with pencils and biscuits. Wellspring hadalso asked two footmen to carry an easel and chairs to the overlook.

Therefore, there was a silver lining to Evan’s error. The chairs were much more comfortable than the ground, and he and Wellspring sat in front of the easel, snacking on biscuits. The sun warmed Evan’s skin, and the salt air cleansed his lungs. After the stress of the afternoon, his heartbeat and breathing slowed to their normal pace.

There’d been the additional inducement of running into the ladies, who were on their way to sea-dip. Their colorful dresses, set against the picturesque village street, were a painter’s dream. Katrina had refused to meet his gaze, but it didn’t stop him from noticing every detail about her. Once alone, he would do his best to capture her on paper—Sea Beauty in Purple.

For now, he must concentrate on his friend, who painted like a child. Still, he should make sure Wellspring rid himself of any doubts if he was to express himself freely. Evan sorted through memories of his best schoolmasters, eventually finding the perfect words of encouragement.

“The first piece of wisdom I would like to impart is that art is in the eye of the beholder. And if you are true to yourself, your art will find its audience,” Evan said.

“Perchance.” Wellspring shrugged, then blushed. “At least Robert Dickens finds me talented.”

Good heavens, Springy was in denial. It was not unheard of for men to have feelings for one another.

However, acting on such things destroyed many great men when their preferences became public knowledge. Lord Bishop of Clogher had been flogged and imprisoned for committing unnatural acts with the same sex. And in 1810, the Bow Street Runners raided the White Swan, a notorious mollyclub. Over two dozen men had been arrested on suspicion of sodomy. Unfortunately, men attracted to the same sex experienced unwarranted prejudice. In Evan’s humble opinion, it was nobody’s business. However, he counted his blessings that he was a man attracted to women. It made life so much easier. Unless that woman was Katrina Harrington. He huffed.

On second thought, he would not meddle. Wellspring was safer in a state of denial, a woman by his side.

Evan embraced his newfound serious schoolmaster demeanor. “You must find your perspective. Simply study the sea for a moment.”

Wellspring’s jaw and brow tensed as he peered at the water. The poor man’s brain might explode out his ears if he continued to strain so hard.

Evan chuckled. “Relax, Springy. This is art, not a life-or-death battle.”

“Speak for yourself. I am attempting to woo one of the most beautiful women in England, and I paint and draw like a half-wit.”

Was that jealousy twisting Evan’s gut? Did he wish to woo her?

Nay!

Katrina was a woman who required commitment and excessive attention from a man. Evan was not that man. He was nary capable of commitment or love. Now, lust? He could manage lust in spades.

Concentrate, you fool, he scolded himself. “Tell me what shapes you see,” he encouraged.

Wellspring squinted, eventually shaking his head. “I see water and the sea.”

“But what shapes are they?” Evan asked.

Wellspring blinked a few times. “Water and sea shaped.”

Evan suppressed his sigh. “Tell me about the colors.”

“Oh, I know that answer.” Wellspring lifted his chin and beamed. “Blue.”

“Hmm.” There was a lot of blue. “But do you not see different shades of blue? And white. There are variants of green, pink, purple, and black. Really ’tis quite colorful. Feel the colors.”

“Feel the colors? What the deuces does that mean?” Wellspring’s brow furrowed. “I am afraid I only see light blue and dark blue.”