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love the spring and summer blooms around, and the challenge of capturing running water was always a favourite.”
    “Any others?”
    She barked a slight deprecating laugh. “I confess to trying to imitate the Renaissance Masters’ techniques, except with architecture not people. The park in front of the Royal Crescent was my favourite medium for that disastrous attempt.”
    “Do you have any of those?”
    “I believe a few may be stuffed into a trunk in the attic. Which is where they belong, I assure you!”
    “Would you be willing to paint one for me before I go? Commissioned, of course.”
    “No,” she bent her head quietly as they reached the door.
    “I'm not asking out of pity.”
    She looked up at him then. How had he read her thoughts?
    “I don't know if I could finish before you leave.”
    “I will pick you up early tomorrow to give us the best chance.”
      Before she could protest he tipped his hat with a huge grin on his face and ran off.

Chapter Four

    “Do you think it will do any good?” Millicent asked her cousin Henrietta.
    “All we can do is put them in each other’s way and let nature take its course.”
    “I suppose so. If only Mr. Abbott were not obliged to leave for A…A…” she trailed off, searching for the word.
    “America. From the look of the two of them together, I would think he would offer for her before he leaves. It had better be all he does. Smelling of April and May, those two.”
    “I am afraid she will feel obligated to me. The girl is more headstrong than she appears.”
    “She need not leave you. He will not be gone very long. Sir Charles assured me of that or I would have insisted he remain,” the Dowager said reassuringly.
    “That assumes they take to each other. I only wish she would not be left in such dire straits when I am gone.”
    “Now, Millicent, I assured you I would look after her.”
    “I know, Cousin. But she will outlive the both of us, Lord willing, and who will look after her then? I began to suggest she attempt to contact her cousin Kendall, but she was vehemently opposed to it.”
    “After the way the family behaved towards you, I cannot be surprised. I would feel much the same.”
    “Perhaps I should attempt to write to him myself, though I am not certain I can manage with my shakes. Their grandfather had intended the two of them to be matched at one point. How things change,” she reflected sadly.
    “I do not think we are at the point to be grovelling. Let us see if my grandson comes up to scratch before we do anything unbecoming. I have a fair notion that Andrew was besotted at first sight.”
    “Gwen has nothing to offer him,” she said, frowning.
      “It depends on what one is looking for. I assure you, Andrew has had every eligible cap thrown at him. If it was power or wealth he desired, he could have had it any time this age.”
    “If only I was assured of her, I would be easy. She does not believe herself to be a worthy match. He seems a very fine gentleman.”
    “Let us hope my grandson will convince her. He is not without charms, I assure you.”
    “If I were younger I would have swooned at the sight of him,” Millicent agreed.
    “Oh nothing so vulgar, I hope dear,” she said with a hint of distaste.
    The door opened and Gwen came in damp with her hair unkempt.
    “Did that rapscallion grandson of mine abandon you on the doorstep?” she asked, looking for him.
    “Yes, I mean no, ma'am. I would not say abandoned, but he did leave.”
    “Well! I never! He was raised better than that,” she exclaimed.
    “Oh, don't be cross with him. I believe he had another errand. He was very attentive to me all afternoon.”
    The Dowager eyed her dishevelled state. “Not too attentive, I hope.”
    Gwen blushed and self-consciously smoothed down her unruly hair. “We were caught in the storm. Shall I make tea?” She began walking towards the kitchen in hope of escaping the Dowager’s inquisition.
    “Hettie is already seeing to it.