Free Lady Phillipa's Peril: Regency Romance Suspense Series ( Book 3) (Lords of Sussex 4) by Katy Walters

the room and do not take your eyes from it. Remain perfectly still.’
    Smiling he nodded and obediently fixed his eyes on a lithograph of horses racing across the fields. Phillipa lost all sense of time as her fingers flew over the parchment. After what must have been nearly an hour, with slight intermittent bits of conversation, she sat back surveying her work. ‘Now you can rest for a moment.’ 
    Looking over to the table, she saw the lieutenant holding a handful of cards whilst gazing with adoration at Lady Eloise. Venetia sat nearby to them, her lovely face quite solemn. Phillipa bit her lip, how could she console her dear friend? Even now she sat so close to Horatio as they studied their cards.  Hearing Amelia singing a most doleful love song, she looked at Delmare. ‘Excuse me for moment, but I must have a quick word with Amelia.’
    Rising, she made her way swiftly to the piano, as the last notes trilled from the girl’s lips. ‘Amelia dearest that was quite lovely, but do you think you could sing something a little more cheery; we could benefit from some gaiety.’
    ‘Of course dearest, why I have any number of bright ditties. I do wish you would tell me who needs cheering up though. I do love a gossip.’
    ‘No, I cannot my dear. Now I need to hurry back; I must look quite a sight in this pinafore. She looked down to see it already smudged with charcoal, and no doubt, she had some on her face.
    She was proven right, as Amelia reached into her reticule, and pulled out a handkerchief,  ‘Excuse me dearest, it is clean, not used, but I must just brush some charcoal off your chin; you appear to be sprouting a beard,’ the girl said, ‘You only need a moustache to look like Van Dyke’s Laughing Cavalier;’
    ‘I am embarrassed;  Venetia already today has cleaned cream of my nose and now you.’
    ‘Dearest, are you enjoying the sketching?’ Hector appeared at her side.
    ‘Yes, actually I am glad you coerced me into doing it. I think it will be the best I have achieved so far; I know it is far from perfect, but I am quite excited with this etching. I just so wish I had a tutor.’
    ‘Nonsense, what need have you of a tutor, don’t exert that pretty little head of yours; you’ll break into a fever.’
    ‘Oh please – don’t say that. I am fed-up with you men – oh forget it.’
    ‘Good, now enjoy yourself my little duck.’
    ‘Hector, what have I told you about calling me a duck?’
    ‘Well I did say ‘little duck’, a term of affection m’dear.’
    ‘I don’t care if it’s a big duck or a little duck I object to duck. So please no more ducks.’ Tapping him lightly on his arm, she turned, only to hear Hector laugh ‘Quack – quack.’
    Clenching her teeth, she returned to Delmare and sat down, peering at her etching. ‘Now let us become serious, it is beginning to take shape, and I think I shall be well pleased with this one, I was only just saying to my fiancé, I  wish I had recourse to a tutor or Master of Arts.’
    ‘It will be my pleasure to introduce you to one as, and when you wish. I can see that you are extremely talented.’ He said, watching her fingers flying over the paper, his face appearing bit by bit. 
    ‘What a pleasure it is to hear those, words, like water over pebbles.’
    ‘Have you the notion to paint?’
    ‘Yes, I would like to progress to oils,’ she murmured, putting some curls to the dark head of hair. I admire a water colourist, but I do have a passionate yearning for oils.’
    ‘Would your passion was for me—’
    ‘Oh, so you mock me?’
    ‘Never, you are far too intelligent for that, no it is just my poor male heart overwhelmed with your beauty, your wit, and your talent. But tell me, how are those aches and pains?’
    ‘Well sir, I thank you for your prompt assistance. The unguents are helping, and I think moving around eases the pain. I realized that lying down only increased the discomfort.’
    ‘Good, then take care not to overdo