The Painter's Muse

Point

s, and several other noblemen and women. A few

las' interests. I don't even want to be here. Funny how they still made

the fields when the letter was delivered to me. If I could turn it down I would have, but it was all Nicholas'

nobles around me blended into a dull hum. I exchanged obligatory ple

ile. "My love, today is crucial for my political endeavo

r a pawn in your political game? Let's not pretend this

know how the game is played, Clara. Beside

"Enjoyment and endurance are t

my thoughts kept returning to the garden. I missed the freedom of bein

n idle chatter. "Lady Clara, have you

ating societal norms. "Indeed, a splendid di

n I was by the carefully planned horsemanship routines. My thoughts longed for my pa

... Now that we have male servants around

ier. That is one of the reasons I employed the

you mean,

like. Besides, I noticed some house helps were beginning to look at you with lustful eyes and w

a woman. You know how to turn me on with words,

e silly,

who these housekeepers are

away and replaced t

sadness en

esting that some of my work

ced due to their attraction to women

und me attractive. It's not like I would act on any of their adva

t let them ignite that fire because it will sure spread wild. I have a reputation to up

ack, alrea

also paint naked in

hen your chamber is so big it co

ng and connecting

ked

e. The raw connection w

you must paint in the fields, you must have your ro

e in my husband's ho

n and recognition as the special guest of honor, I zoned out and began to sleep. L

was vanishing as I fell into a restless sleep. Even in the broad fields, the requirement to wear a robe seemed lik

ietly stoking the nobility's rumors. I couldn't care

awake by Laura, my ev

rs ache from departing so lon

is Don Nicholas and not your inanimat

ore Nicholas, and they've been with me through thick and thin

ser towards Laur

can't do the deed without pr

I want to kno

. It's because down t

xclaimed, covering

eception with a variety of interes

y who said, "Lady Clara, it's a pl

k, frighteningly. Laura gave me a pinch for

Lau

not the best first impression t

r, it's not a pleasure to see them, so why sho

hurt to be ni

n't pinch me like that; I'm so

ve been or even a well

ara as the forced small talk went on. I felt like I was wearing an intric

s charismatic smile and eloquent words masked the fact that I, his enigmati

hard, a familiar chummi

equestrian show?"

"I did but we can't say the same for Lad

ered

wife's peculiarities. "Ah, Clara. She has her wo

interested in her solitude tha

ably the prettiest woman present in every gat

emarked, "Pretty, yes, but is

rifice, Richard, and she is no exception. She might not revel in t

erhaps a dash of mystery. What does she fin

tricate as the strokes of her paintbrush. Clara finds solace in her art, and who am I t

proposed a toast, "To the e

ement, "To my wife, who adds her

hese two don't even care abo

exquisite artwork. It's an honor to finally

, now you know," she repl

about my art, it gives me joy when I

in... allure. I'd love to commission a piece

m ready when

ng. After having to pretend to almost everyone who recognizes me as Clara Randolph, the

e is tiring," I sa

iteness doesn't hurt. It keeps the

her be locked in my chambers, far awa

rt of this soc

If it were up to me, I'd be with my canvases and brushes, not engaging

in responsibilities, my lady." In an at

ve their societal norms; I'll stick to the authentic

he activities at the reception. The diverse music and dance groups, along w

place. The dancers' fluidity and the music's beat formed my canvas, with eac

edly diverted to the entrance of the room. Standing there, a w

f connection. It was as if the universe had momentarily aligned

ing amiss?" Laura, eve

e fascination that lingered in the air. "No, it's

ed within me. It was as if a whisper of destiny had brushed against my conscious

used, attempting to rationalize the unexplainab