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

bring you any flowers," said Laurie, his tone turning serious
momentarily. "I forgot. I did not wish to be rude, so I hastily bought you
a gift of fruit. He'll no doubt think it shabbily done of me."
    Jenny laughed. "He
shan't! He'll know exactly why. Anyway, fruit is far more useful than flowers:
I can't think why the tradition doesn't change."
    "Oh! Well you know many
traditions have little practical use any longer. Sometimes we even forget why
they started."
    "I assume the custom
of giving flowers started because women like pretty things," suggested
Jenny.
    "Or because men
consider women pretty, and think they will appreciate evidence of that
symbolically." His gaze twinkled down at her. Oh, he was such a
flirt! Yet she couldn't take offense at his teasing because he was so very kind
with it. And it felt wonderful to be complimented, even teasingly.
    They drove to the park and
back, talking, switching easily between serious and humorous topics, and never
seeming to run out of things to say.
    For Jenny, it was as good
a time as any fairy godmother could have conjured.
    ~*~
    When Henry returned from
his day's work whistling a snatch of a tune, it lifted Jenny's heart even
further. Her day so far had been perfect. How could it possibly improve? Yet
hearing her brother feeling well enough to whistle certainly did the trick.
    She greeted him with an
enthusiastic smile. He returned it and placed a package on the table before
unwinding his scarf.
    She moved forward to help
him out of his greatcoat. "What is it?"
    "Mr. Ramsay was
feeling generous. He sent me home with some fruit cakes from his cook. A
pleasant surprise! And he paid me as well. We shall have coal this week after
all, Jen, and a bit extra down on the debt. That should keep the bankers at
bay!" He smiled at her and then his gaze settled on the table. His smile
stilled.
    She turned with him to
look at the fruit, stacked carefully, as if arranged for a still life, though
of course they hadn't the extra paint to spare for such useless applications. Their
painting was confined to commissioned works.
    "Joysey bought it for
me. Wasn't it nice of him?" She gave him her best bright-eyed, innocent
look.
    "Wh-what?" he
sputtered. "He was here? Doesn't he know you have no chaperone without me
here? Why, it's unheard—"
    "I didn't invite him
in. We went for a drive to the park—his groom was there, it was perfectly
acceptable—and he bought me these. He said to tell you it was because he forgot
to bring me flowers." Her eyes sparkled at him, inviting him to enjoy the
joke along with her and Laurie. Joysey, that is.
    "Indeed?" said Henry
indignantly, his chest puffing up and a scowl overtaking his previously
cheerful countenance. "What brass he has! He shouldn't be visiting you
when I'm not here, taking you for drives without asking permission. Or bringing
you flowers—or buying you fruit!"
    "I don't see why not,"
said Jenny quietly, leaning over the table and adjusting the position of one of
the bright green apples. "He's a very kind friend."
    "He's a rake!"
    "Even if he is, he's still
a good friend. I don't know about you, but I could certainly use one. Why shouldn't
I enjoy a drive with him? There was nothing secretive or clandestine about it,
and a gift of fruit is certainly aboveboard. He's been visiting and drinking
our tea and eating our biscuits. Perhaps he's simply paid us back generously and
given me a chance to get out of the house for a few minutes of enjoyment. I
promise you I've not neglected the painting, if it worries you."
    At her calm words, Henry's
anger melted. His expression now held a curious mixture of regret, worry, and
fondness. "Believe me, Jen, I know how hard you work. It's not that I
begrudge you a little enjoyment, and you're right that it's not such a bad gift
when considered in that way, but..."
    His brow furrowed, and he
reached up absently to scrub at it with a thumb. A paint-covered thumb; he left
a brown streak. Jenny smiled to see he hadn't