Read Laurie's Painter (sweet Regency romance) for Free Online

but nearly every other man she saw besides her
brother looked scruffy and in need of a good wash. It was wrong to look down on
them for it. No one here had much water, and one had to haul everything by hand
on the days when the pump at the end of the street was turned on. It was
certainly not likely that most people could bathe or wash often. Even simply
washing with cloths was difficult at times. Not to mention laundering their
clothes! Jenny found it extremely trying to keep up. Sometimes only shame of
what her mother would think if she gave up kept her at the attempt.
    Now Jenny found a
regretful smile tugging at her face. "Hello, Mr. Joysey. I'm afraid Henry
is at work."
    "That's all right. I
came to see you." He smiled. He had such very fine, dark eyes. They seemed
to hold secret worlds. A girl could get lost in them if she wasn't careful.
    Jenny told herself she
knew better and needn't worry. "Oh, well, I can't invite you in. I'm
sorry. I'm alone and it wouldn't be respectable."
    "That's all right. Why
not come out for a carriage ride with me in the park? If you can spare the
time, I should enjoy it very much."
    His smile made her want to
forget her chores and go out with him immediately. And there was no reason not
to, was there? "Very well. Allow me to get ready. I shan't be long." She
retreated with a smile, shutting the door.
    And what a silly goose she
was, grinning like a fool, back pressed against the door and hands clutched
together at her chest. Her mind raced, thinking which dress was the least
tattered and best for driving out with a fine, dark-eyed gentleman.
    She ran to wash the paint
off her hands, then began to search.
    Settling at last for the
dress made from her mother's old walking-dress, which looked almost ladylike if one didn't examine it closely, she changed as hurriedly as possible—then
rushed back to fetch her shoes, then her coat, and then her reticule.
    Flushed and breathing quickly,
she stopped for a moment in front of the door to catch her breath, trying to
remember everything her mother and governess had told her about being a lady.
    Stand straight—smile
politely—do not talk overmuch—take measured steps—don't forget to curtsy—
    Taking a deep breath, Jenny
smiled in anticipation and moved forward. Standing straight, taking measured
steps, she opened the door.
    ~*~
    Jenny looked charming. Laurie
could see her gown was not in the best mode nor made from entirely new
material, but it was cleverly done all the same, and she walked with the
dignity of a lady. Not to forget, of course, she was gorgeous whatever she wore.
    "You look lovely,"
said Laurie. She shook her head and lowered her gaze, cheeks growing faintly
pink. He offered her his arm and smiled down at her, feeling...well he could
not remember feeling exactly this way ever before. When she reached out and
took his arm, he was on top of the world. He knew everyone was staring at the
man with the most beautiful girl on his arm.
    He handed her up into his
curricle carefully, took the reins from his groom, and started down the street.
    She kept glancing around. "I
believe people are watching us. I don't often go for rides with gentlemen."
She sounded embarrassed, though he didn't know why she should.
    "Oh? When was the
last time?" he quizzed her.
    "Well—never."
    "You've hidden
yourself too well. You're too lovely to not have a dozen admirers." He
looked at her, smiling. She had a faint, mysterious, Mona Lisa smile on her
face and was shaking her head gently. "You don't think you are?"
    "I can hardly believe
you are this much of a rake! Perhaps my brother was right about you." She
looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with teasing fun.
    "No, really!" He
drew back as if highly offended.
    Her laughter sounded
beautiful as a silver bell.
    Top of the world. Really,
who knew he could feel this way?
    It was different from his
mad longing for his neighbour Althea when he was a lad: better, somehow,
because he felt like he was getting to