Free Beguiling Bridget by Rachel van Dyken, Leah Sanders Page B

“Naturally.”
    “I should also like to be painted with a lady next to me.”
    Bridget paused. “And this lady, dare I ask — what shall she be doing?”
    Anthony laughed. “What all ladies do when in a compromising position. I’d like her to be kissing my neck, just here.” He pointed to his neck.
    Bridget didn’t look.
    “Bridget? You aren’t looking. How are you to know how to paint if you do not look?”
    “I c-can imagine,” she stammered.
    “No. I have seen your work when you aren’t looking at a model. And as a paying customer—” He paused to lay a farthing on the table. “I demand you look and give me what I ask for.”
    Slowly, the girl peeked around the canvas, her face a brilliant shade of red.
    “Right here.” Anthony pointed again. “And I should like her hair to be red. A vibrant red — wild like she is. Her eyes must be blue, for I find blue eyes to be the most entrancing. And her smile… truly, you don’t want to get me started on her smile.”
    Her breathing became laborious as he looked at her and grinned. “The way this lady smiles is like the sunrise. I should like you to paint that for me, though I know it will be difficult… to paint perfection.”
    “You’re a horrible flirt, Anthony.”
    Anthony closed his eyes and let out a sigh. “I’m no more a horrible flirt than you are a horrible tease.”
    “A tease?” She threw her paintbrush onto her palette and marched over to him. “How dare you say that, how dare you—”
    “Ah, You are so very fetching when you are vexed, my lady.” He motioned for her to take a seat next to him.
    Rolling her eyes, she let out an irritated huff before sitting down. “A tease?” she repeated.
    “Making you angry is the only way I have discovered that will coax to come near me. Truly, I am desperate enough to try anything to force you to speak to me. Now, let us talk of the upcoming ball.”
    “What about it?” Lady Bridget’s eyes darted to the ground, obviously irritated.
    “Well.” Anthony scooted away to give her space. “We will need to seem more familiar to those around us. I, for one, shall call you sweeting, as well as Bridget.” Her name tasted like honey on his tongue. He had to clear his throat to mask the desire he felt in that moment. “And you should call me Adonis.”
    “Surely we do not need pet names for one another—”
    “Yes,” he interrupted. “I believe we do. And you cannot appear so irritated around me either. Nobody will believe you’re infatuated, especially my brother. Your aunt is quite another story. She’s going to be looking for any excuse to separate us.”
    “I may let her.” Bridget sighed.
    Anthony glared. “If you let her near me I’ll, I’ll—” Blast. Why couldn’t he think of a good enough threat?
    “Stutter?” Bridget tilted her head and offered him a malicious smirk.
    He cursed and shook his head. “I’ll simply attach myself to your person, like a leech, and we both know how much you enjoy my company.”
    “Ah, finally comparing yourself to a similar species. Good for you.” She patted his knee then pulled back her hand as if burned. “I, um… I should get back to painting you. I mean, that is to say, I should be finishing your portrait, so if you could manage not to say anything offensive in the next hour or so, I’ll proceed.”
    “By all means.” Anthony motioned to the easel. “I’ll try not to interrupt. Though it might be difficult. I can be quite distracting.”
    “I am certain I can withstand your many charms, my lord.”
    “Anthony,” he corrected.
    “Anthony.” She blushed and returned to the easel. But not before Anthony took great pleasure in watching her hips sway as she walked back to her place.
    ****
    Bridget knew she had to spend some time with him in order to hold up her end of the bargain, but his presence in her life was more of an inconvenience. It was nice to have a live model to paint for once, but if live was the only requirement,