Sexy As Hell (44 page)

Would it or wouldn’t it collapse beneath his weight? Would he or wouldn’t he actually fall asleep
, Sofia wondered as if she were somehow his keeper. Or the countess’s. As if either of them cared what she thought when they apparently dealt very well together.

Wresting her gaze from the stunning couple, Sofia curtailed her contemplation of the two lovers and applied herself to her work.

And so the sitting progressed, Bella chattering, Mr. Blackwood largely inanimate, Sofia finishing the depiction of the countess’s large blue eyes and beginning to sketch in her nose with quick, sure strokes. Having defined the shape to her satisfaction, she was gathering a dab of pale pink paint from her palette for the highlights when the door to the conservatory abruptly opened.

A stylish young lady dressed in ruffled, beribboned white muslin burst in, using her parasol to shove aside a flustered servant who’d arrived in her wake.

“Your man, Walters, wasn’t going to let me in, Bella,” she irritably proclaimed, casting a censorious glance on the innocent footman who’d followed her on the butler’s orders. “I knew perfectly well that you were at home with Jamie in town.” She swung around in a rustle of silk. “Hello, Jamie,
darling.
” Her smile was both dazzling and gloating; she’d successfully run her fox to ground. “You’re looking utterly gorgeous as usual. Do give me a kiss.”

While the countess scowled, Lady Winterthur, flushed with triumph, swiftly advanced on her prey, her parasol swinging from her wrist. “I should be in a pet with you, darling,” she sweetly said with feigned chagrin. “You didn’t stop by to see me.”

James Blackwood had come to his feet before the lovely brunette reached him and, taking her hands in his, suavely saved himself from her embrace. Bending, he bestowed the requested kiss, held her at arm’s length, and smoothly lied. “I’m just passing through London or I would have called.”

“Since you’ve chosen to disturb our sitting, do sit down at least, Lily,” Bella ordered, anxious to separate her rival from her lover. “And don’t distract the painter,” she said with annoyance. “We are under a time constraint. I have another appointment after this.”

Taking a seat next to Jamie, Lily Chester slanted a sly glance at the countess. “How perfect! I’ll take Jamie off your hands then. We’ll find something to do to amuse ourselves, won’t we, darling,” she brightly said, smiling at her quarry.

“You’ll do no such thing,” Bella snapped. “He’s staying here!”

“Ladies, I prefer not being handed around like a Sacher torte,” Jamie drily said. “I’m off to Scotland at five in any event.”

“What a shame. We won’t have time to
play
,” Lily murmured. “You’ve been terribly selfish, Bella,” she chided, turning on her hostess, “keeping him all to yourself.” She glanced at Jamie, her gaze openly avaricious. “Perhaps on your return to London, darling, we could share a
moment or two
.”

“We’re done here,” the countess rapped out, her color high.

It was unclear to whom she was speaking, until she rose from the chaise, and dismissed Sofia with a flick of her fingers. “Really, Lily, have you no shame?” she hissed, turning a vengeful eye on her guest. “Do I intrude when you have company? We are
done
Miss Eastleigh,” she repeated, sharply.

“She’s putting her brushes away, Bella. Be civil.” Rising from his chair, Jamie walked toward Sofia, stopping just short of her easel. “Ignore her,” he softly said. “May I help?”

“Thank you, no,” Sofia replied, wiping her brushes. “This will take just a minute.” Dropping her brushes one by one into a jar of turpentine, she closed the lid on her paint box.

“I apologize for them both.”

“You needn’t. I’m familiar with—”

“Outspoken females?”

He’d formed the word bitch, Sofia noticed, but changed his mind. “Yes, with them,” Sofia said, giving her hands a last wipe. “Have a pleasant journey.”

“Thank you.” He nodded toward the painting. “The likeness is superb.”

“The countess is very beautiful.”

He smiled faintly. “Let me see you to the door. I’ll be right back, Bella,” he called out, ignoring his lover’s scowl, offering Sofia his arm.

As they exited the room, he said, “My apologies again. Lily is always troublesome and Bella is—well, Bella. She’s a spoiled child.”

“And yet?” Sofia shot him an amused glance.

He grinned. “I have no excuse. Have you been painting long? You’re very good.”

“All my life. Both my parents are artists.”

“Ah. That explains it then. My forebears were all soldiers.”

“That explains it then,” she said, mimicking him. “You have a powerful physical presence. As an artist, I notice such things.”

He could have said most women noticed his size, but on his best behavior, he said, “I hope Bella’s paying you well for her discourtesy.”

“Yes, very well. I’m quite content and, no offense, but I don’t really listen to women like her. Aristocratic women are entirely wanting in occupation.” She grinned. “Which is where you come in I expect.”

“It does pass the time,” he said with a broad smile.

“But you’re on your way to Scotland.”

“Yes, and none too soon.”

“I noticed your boredom.”

“Too much of a good thing,” he drolly replied. “I’m looking forward to little conversation and fewer people at my home in the Highlands.”

“Then I wish you safe journey.”

They’d reached the front door where two flunkeys were waiting.

Jamie nodded to them.

The door was opened and with a graceful bow he sent Sofia on her way.