An Artful Seduction Read Free Page A

card. “The Peacock Print Shop. What precisely do you sell?”
    “Paintings, engravings, and decorative items. Work from aspiring, local artists.”
    “You compete with Ackerman’s in the Strand?”
    “Not its clientele. Our customers are well-to-do merchants who wish to own a piece of art, but not pay Ackerman’s exorbitant prices,” she said.
    “Fascinating.”
    She looked at the frames on the drawing room wall and struggled to maintain an even, conciliatory tone. “I don’t see the Jan Wildens painting that you purchased at the Tutton auction.”
    An appealing smile curved his lips. “Ah, I knew there must be more to your visit than you led my butler to believe, Mrs. Somerton. For a moment, I thought you liked me.”
    Could he tell she found him attractive? She struggled to calm her racing heart and gave him a pointed look. “Let us speak plainly, my lord. I don’t believe you truly desire the Wildens painting.”
    He tsked. “Untrue. I plan on hanging it in my private gallery. Would you like a tour?”
    She’d love one. She could spend hours in a museum if she were not a struggling tradeswoman. “Thank you, but no. I truly am here on business.”
    “Business?” He arched a dark eyebrow as if the mere thought of a woman visiting for business purposes was ludicrous.
    “Yes. I have a proposition for you.”
    He walked closer, his smooth movements reminding her of a jungle cat. “A proposition? What an interesting choice of words.”
    Her pulse skittered alarmingly at his nearness. “A business offer, my lord.”
    “You have my interest.” He gestured toward a pale gold settee. “Please sit, Mrs. Somerton. If we are to discuss your offer, let’s be comfortable.”
    He ignored a nearby armchair and sat beside her on the settee. Leaning against the cushions, he stretched his long legs, his polished Hessians shining in the sunlight streaming from the windows.
    Eliza was not easily intimidated. She was no longer a young girl straight from the schoolroom, but a woman who worked for her living. But Lord Huntingdon was an imposing man…a big man. Everything about him was alarming, from his height of over six feet, to his broad shoulders, and his chiseled features. He was rumored to be immensely wealthy, a much sought-after bachelor who could be charming when it served him, and highly intelligent.
    It was the last trait that concerned her.
    “It’s not every day a beautiful lady visits with a business proposal.”
    His voice, deep and sensual, sent a ripple of awareness through her.
    She took a breath. “It should come as no surprise to you that I want the Jan Wildens painting.”
    “It’s not for sale.”
    She placed her leather case on a dainty end table and withdrew an engraving. “I plan to sweeten the deal. As I stated, I sell works from aspiring, local artists. They are exquisite pieces. As an influential art critic and enthusiastic collector, I’m sure you will be interested.”
    Just as she thought, his curiosity was piqued at the mention of the artwork. The engraving was of a religious scene, Madonna with child, and the work painstaking and impressive. The artist, an unknown laborer, displayed his work at Eliza’s shop. Once sold, they would split the earnings.
    Huntingdon sat forward and studied the piece. “The detail is quite astonishing for a new artist.”
    Hope blossomed in her chest. “You can have it plus the fifty pounds I had planned to pay at the auction in exchange for the Wildens painting.”
    Pushing the engraving aside, his dark eyes studied her intently. “It’s not enough.”
    Her heart sank.
    Then he leaned close, very close, until she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. Her pulse quickened and a disturbing tingling began in the pit of her stomach. She’d been wrong about his eyes, she realized. They weren’t black, but a rich, coffee brown.
    “There are other types of beauty,” he said, “living beauty which I crave.”
    Her heart thundered at his outrageous