Chapter 4

Chapter Four

" G ood morning, Your Grace," Beatrice greeted with a curtsy.

She had nearly bumped into the Dowager Duchess of Newden as she rounded the corner.

Her dear friend, Catherine, had married the Dowager Duchess's grandson, Thomas. And from what Beatrice had gathered, Catherine had implored the Dowager Duchess to help her rejoin Society after the scandal caused by Patrick.

Beatrice was not one for pity, and the Dowager's sharp eyes betrayed nothing of the sort, much to her relief.

"Good morning, my dear. Enjoying your exploration of the house?"

"Very much so," Beatrice replied, her eyes sparkling with genuine admiration. "The decor is truly magnificent. The paintings and sculptures are exceptional. I believe I even recognized a few pieces by Thomas Lawrence and John Flaxman."

The Dowager Duchess's eyes brightened at the mention of the renowned artists. "You have a keen eye for art, Lady Beatrice. Do you enjoy it?"

"Very much, Your Grace. The beauty and emotion captured in these works always speak to me."

The Dowager Duchess's smile widened. "In that case, would you care to accompany me to the gallery? I think you might find it quite interesting."

Beatrice's heart soared at the invitation. "I would love that, Your Grace."

"Splendid," the Dowager Duchess said, linking their arms. "Come along, then. The gallery is one of my favorite places in the house."

As they walked, the Dowager Duchess pointed out various pieces of art and shared stories about their acquisition and the artists who created them. Beatrice listened intently, her admiration for the Dowager Duchess growing with each tale.

They reached the gallery, a spacious room bathed in natural light that filtered through the large windows that lined one wall. The walls were adorned with paintings of various sizes, each one a masterpiece. Sculptures stood on pedestals throughout the room, their forms graceful and evocative.

Beatrice's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight. "It is beautiful," she whispered.

The Dowager Duchess patted her arm affectionately. "I am glad you think so, my dear. Art has a way of touching the soul, do you not agree?"

"Absolutely, Your Grace," Beatrice replied, her eyes darting from one piece to the next, absorbing the beauty and craftsmanship of each work.

The Dowager Duchess led her to a painting of a serene landscape, the colors vibrant and the brushstrokes masterful. "This one is a favorite of mine," she said softly. "It reminds me of the countryside where I grew up."

Beatrice smiled, feeling a connection with her. "It's lovely, Your Grace."

The Dowager Duchess looked at her warmly. "You have a good heart, Lady Beatrice. I can see why Catherine speaks so highly of you."

Beatrice blushed, touched by the compliment. "Thank you, Your Grace."

As they continued to explore the gallery, Beatrice felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over her. In the presence of such beauty and grace, the worries and tensions of the previous night faded, replaced by a renewed appreciation for the world around her.

After a while, they moved into a smaller, more intimate room adjacent to the gallery. The walls here were adorned with fewer but equally impressive works of art.

"I must show you my latest acquisition," the Dowager Duchess said with a twinkle in her eyes. "It's a painting by an up-and-coming artist, Eric Westback. His work is simply magnificent."

Beatrice's heart skipped a beat.

"Westback, you say?"

"Mmhm. I'd thought you might know about him, since you seem to be rather knowledgeable," the Dowager said.

"Oh, no, Your Grace. I am afraid I do not know much at all," Beatrice replied steadily.

She followed the Dowager Duchess to a large painting displayed prominently on the far wall.

The painting was a breathtaking landscape with sweeping brushstrokes and an exquisite mastery of color and light—a stormy sea with the sun breaking through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the turbulent waters.

Beatrice pretended to study the painting with a critical eye though inwardly she was bubbling with joy. "It is stunning, Your Grace. The way he captures the light and movement is remarkable."

The Dowager Duchess beamed with pride at her possession. "Isn't it? Eric Westback has such a unique talent. His use of color and light brings the scene to life. There's such mystery about him, you know. No one has ever met him."

Little did the Dowager know she was standing right before him. Or her, rather.

Beatrice nodded, silently debating how to answer. "I have heard of him, but I have never seen his work up close before."

The Dowager Duchess continued, her admiration evident, "He is quite the enigma. There are rumors, of course, but no one seems to know who he really is. It is said that he prefers to let his work speak for itself, avoiding public appearances altogether. Such a curious way to live, don't you think?"

Beatrice felt a surge of happiness at the praise and intrigue surrounding her alter ego.

If only you knew, Your Grace. If only you knew.

"Indeed, it is quite curious," Beatrice agreed, her voice steady despite the excitement bubbling within her. "But perhaps he finds peace in his solitude."

The Dowager Duchess nodded thoughtfully. "You may be right. There is a certain freedom in anonymity, I suppose. But it does make one wonder about the person behind the brush."

Beatrice's thoughts wandered to the nights spent painting in the quiet of her small room in Wales, the joy and solace it brought her amidst the turmoil of her family's scandal.

Her paintings had been her refuge, and through the sales of her work as Eric Westback, she had been able to support her mother without revealing the source of their income.

"I find it fascinating," the Dowager Duchess added, her eyes still fixed on the painting. "To create such beauty and remain hidden in the shadows. It is almost romantic, in a way."

Beatrice felt her cheeks flush with pride and embarrassment. "Yes, Your Grace. It is certainly intriguing."

They stood in silence for a moment, both women lost in their own thoughts. Beatrice reveled in the Dowager Duchess's compliments, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment. Her work, though secret, was appreciated and admired by those who mattered.

The Dowager Duchess turned to Beatrice, her expression soft. "You have a good eye for art, my dear. I am glad we could share this moment."

"Thank you, Your Grace. It has been a genuine pleasure," Beatrice replied, her heart full.

At that moment, the Duke of Dunford entered the room, his tall frame filling the doorway.

The Dowager Duchess noticed him immediately. "Duke, it is unseemly to lurk in the shadows like that."

Kenneth stepped forward, a wry smile on his lips. "I was not lurking. Though I must say Westback's use of light is what's unseemly here."

Beatrice's heart skipped a beat at his words, her earlier joy quickly turning into indignation.

The Duke continued, his tone critical but not harsh. "Westback's method is impressive, yes, but he relies too heavily on light. His paintings are bright and pretty, but he seems to dismiss the power of shadow. Without shadow, his works are almost washed clear of true emotion and depth."

Beatrice felt a surge of indignation. "I must disagree, Your Grace. Westback's use of light brings his paintings to life. It is his way of capturing the essence of a moment, the fleeting beauty that might otherwise go unnoticed."

Kenneth raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her passionate response. "But without shadow, the light loses its meaning. It is the contrast that creates depth. Westback's paintings, while visually stunning, lack the complexity that shadow can bring."

Beatrice's eyes flashed with determination. "Perhaps, but Westback's choice to focus on light doesn't diminish the emotional impact of his work. It's a different approach, one that emphasizes hope and beauty, even in the face of darkness."

The Dowager Duchess watched the exchange with interest. "You must know quite a bit about art to come to such conclusions about Westback, Lady Beatrice. Especially since you have not seen his work until now."

Beatrice realized she had said far too much.

Swiftly, she put on a polite smile and explained, "I was inspired by what you said, Your Grace. It led me to think more deeply about his work."

Kenneth's gaze remained on her. "The debate about light versus shadow is old. What matters most is the emotion conveyed to the viewer. Westback has potential, but he could benefit from exploring the darker elements."

Beatrice's heart pounded, but she kept her voice steady. "And yet, Your Grace, there is something to be said for an artist who focuses on the light. It offers a different depth, one that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit."

The Dowager Duchess smiled, clearly pleased with the spirited yet respectful exchange. "I must say, this has been a most enlightening discussion. Art provokes thought and debate, after all."

Beatrice could tell that the Duke wanted to say more, to challenge her further, but he did not wish to rattle the Dowager. In truth, neither did she, despite wanting to prove her point.

So, they both nodded in agreement though the intensity of their gazes suggested that the conversation was far from over in their minds.

Kenneth leaned slightly closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "I suppose we will have to agree to disagree, Lady Beatrice."

Beatrice held his gaze, feeling the weight of his scrutiny.

In her mind, she could hear her mother's voice urging her to gain the Duke's attention by swooning and fluttering her lashes.

The thought made her scoff inwardly. That was not who she was, and she dismissed the idea immediately.

She raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "What do you know about art, Your Grace? Do you consider yourself an expert?"

Kenneth's lips curled into a slight smile. "I know enough to recognize talent and potential. But you, Lady Beatrice, seem to speak with more authority than most. Do you have a background in art?"

Beatrice felt a surge of anxiety but quickly masked it with a confident smile. "I have always been passionate about art, Your Grace. I have studied it and spent countless hours appreciating various works. One could say it is a… personal interest of mine."

Kenneth's eyes narrowed slightly, the challenge still evident. "Your knowledge is impressive. And rare, for a lady."

Beatrice blinked, taken aback by the sudden compliment.

"Thank you, Your Grace," she replied.

The Dowager Duchess interjected, her tone warm, "Lady Beatrice has a remarkable eye for detail. It's a pleasure to have such stimulating discussions about art."

Kenneth's gaze softened slightly though the intensity remained. "Indeed."

There was a pause as Beatrice felt the weight of his response. It'd only been a single word, yet his tone and the way he stared at her…

She shivered as the image of his bare upper body popped into her mind. The way his muscles rippled…

For a split second, she saw the Duke glance down at her lips. Her heart skipped a beat, her limbs tingling with a vibrant yet dark excitement she'd never experienced before.

It was desire. Hungry, ravenous desire.

"I look forward to seeing both of you at dinner," Kenneth said curtly, bowing gracefully before turning to leave.

Beatrice watched him go, her thoughts racing.

Did I offend him?

She replayed their conversation in her mind, searching for any hint of displeasure on his part.

He was nothing like the man from the night before, the man who spoke about desire… and its fulfillment. Still, to know he was so well-versed in art did little to satiate her curiosity.

The Dowager Duchess chuckled. "He needs a bit of scolding about his manners, I'm afraid. But he has quite an eye for art. His family's gallery is one of the most renowned in England, and he has added quite a few remarkable pieces to their collection."

Beatrice's expression softened slightly, considering the Dowager Duchess's words.

"Perhaps I was too hasty in my opinions," she murmured though she remained unsure.

The Duke had a way of provoking her, but perhaps there was more to him than met the eye.

"Give him time, my dear," the Dowager Duchess said kindly. "You might find that there is much to admire beneath that stern exterior."

Beatrice nodded, taking a deep breath. "Thank you, Your Grace. I shall keep that in mind."

"Good," the Dowager Duchess said with a nod. "Now, let's continue our tour. I believe there are a few more pieces that might catch your interest."

The gallery faded into the background as Beatrice's mind raced with thoughts of the enigmatic Duke of Dunford, contemplating what future encounters would bring.