Read Online Seduced by His Touch by Tracy Anne Warren - Free Book Online Page A

much to me? she wondered. Why do I care that he approves? But she did, she realized, wanting him to like her work, even admire it. Admire her.
    Tiny lines formed on his brow. “There is an artist who does similar watercolor renderings of natural subjects. I have one of his folios in my own book collection. Danvers is the name…G. L. Danvers.” His eyes widened. “Good Lord, it’s you, isn’t it? Grace L. Danvers.”
    “Lilah,” she murmured, her pleasure increasing. “The L is for Lilah. And yes, I’ve done a few little books.”
    “There’s nothing little about those books, either in size or content. Grace, you are an extraordinary artist. Why does no one know the truth of your identity?”
    He has one of my books. The thought made her a little giddy.
    “I know,” she told him. “And that is enough. I would have no use for fame anyway. It’s better that people believe I am a man, that way my work is taken seriously. Otherwise, many would say my watercolors are good—for a young woman who dabbles.”
    For a moment, he looked as if he might argue the point. “Sadly, I suppose you’re right. I’m glad, though, that I have uncovered your secret.”
    “As am I, your lordship.”
    His gaze met hers. “I shall demand a private showing of anything you have in process, you know.”
    Her heart beat with excitement. “That might be permissible.”
    “And your autograph as well.”
    She smiled. “I would be honored.” Although she didn’t know when she would have such an occasion.
    “I suppose I should go and leave you to your work.”
    She shook her head. “Actually, I would rather you didn’t. My drawing will keep for a bit.”
    His mouth turned up in a slow smile. “Good. If that is the case, then perhaps I might persuade you to take a stroll.”
    “Here in the gardens, you mean?”
    “Of course in the gardens. Maybe you will see some new plant that inspires your muse.”
    A small voice whispered that she should remain where she was and keep drawing. A far louder one urged her to accept.
    “Yes. All right,” she agreed. Rising to her feet, she secured her sketchbook and pencils inside a small satchel.
    “Allow me,” he said, reaching out a hand to take the cloth bag.
    Passing it to him, she took his arm and they began to walk.
     

    “Where is your maid, by the way?” he asked a few moments later. “I assume you didn’t walk here by yourself.”
    “No. I let her go visit a friend for a few minutes.”
    “A friend? You are too generous by half, since she should not have left you at all. But I am here now, so there is no harm done.”
    Actually, he thought, leaving me to stand guard is rather like asking a wolf to oversee the sheep. But why quibble when it gave him a chance to be alone with her?
    The past few weeks had been wearing on him, to say the least. As the days crept by, he’d been forced to place strict controls upon himself, trying to act as though he wanted nothing physical from her at all.
    But denying himself had only increased his appetite for her—together with his enforced abstinence. He hadn’t had a woman since he’d left London. He supposed he could have sought out a convenient female, but the idea held no appeal. Once he’d met Grace, she was the only one he desired.
    From the first, he’d known he would need to get past Grace’s barriers and win her trust. What he hadn’t counted on, though, was earning her friendship as well. Nor had he expected to like her.
    But he did. A lot.
    Guilt raked through him like a sharp set of claws. Lord knows, I hate the necessity of lying to her. But the wheels had already been set in motion, and there was no stopping them from spinning. His fate was fixed now and hers along with it.
    He took care to be as honest with her as he could, however, not simply because it made things easier, but also because he wanted there to be as much truthfulness between them as possible. After all, she was going to be his wife.
    When he’d discovered