Chapter 1

 

'Master Sullivan!' I knocked loudly upon the front door of the small stone building before me. I could not help but worry that I had come too late when I heard no reply back to greet me.

Feeling very much deflated, I turned to leave, and I had already reached halfway back to the carriage that had bought me to the remote and isolated house when I heard the sound of a door opening behind me.

Immediately, I stopped in my tracks as I turned slowly to face a tall, well-built figure dressed in plain black breeches and an opened white creased shirt that gave a little glimpse of his toned and muscled body.

'Why are you disturbing my peace?' I heard his gruff deep voice. 'Who are you lady? Or are you now unable to speak after all the noise you just made at my front door?' He looked at me with a clear scowl upon his face, which did not, however, detract from his dark ruggedly handsome features, consisting of a strong jaw line covered with a shadow of hair, a proud roman nose, and the most intense grey eyes which challenged me just as much as the words he threw at me. I could not deny that I was a little stunned by his appearance. I had not expected Master Sullivan to be so young; I had presumed that all great artists were far more mature in age. He could not be more than in his early thirties, not to mention that he was also well...you know, as I hinted at before, attractive!

'I can speak very well, my Lord.' I had to resist reacting with annoyance as I came out of my temporary daze. Instead, I focused my thoughts on why I was here and the knowledge of the identity of the man standing before me to calm down my growing anger. 'And my name is Cassandra.'

'Cassandra?!' He looked me over almost casually, taking in my small frame that was hidden heavily behind my long cloak, before moving up to concentrate on my face. I tried not to blush when I saw his gaze linger on my lips, before he fixed his direct view upon my eyes. I could tell that my reply had not provided him with any clarity.

'Yes, Cassandra. I am betrothed to Lord Vincent, who sent me all the way here to get my portrait painted by you before we officially marry.'

'Oh yes....I remember now. Your husband to be, Lord Vincent, has paid me a princely price to complete your portrait, but I had not expected you to be so young in appearance.' He looked at me with interest.

'I am one and twenty, Master Sullivan. I am grown enough,' I said, as I stood up straight and proudly before him, even as I guessed his true thoughts. For it was very clear to all who knew or had seen both Lord Vincent and myself that there was a stark difference in our ages. Lord Vincent in truth was old enough to be my granddad, a fact that I had made clear to my parents in my shock and horror when they first announced that I was to be married to him. But time had now past, three months in total to be exact, after I had been surprised at my own upcoming nuptials. Enough time to be partly persuaded as one may put it to do my duty for my family foremost. For Lord Vincent, although mature in age, was both extremely rich and powerful - perhaps the richest in the province! So a match between the both of us would be of real gain to my own aristocratic family that had seen a reduction in wealth in previous years. To add to this benefit, I knew my own personal position would be elevated and I would be the envy to many of my peer group who would see that there was little that I could not have or own after marrying my generous husband.

'I did not accuse you of not being a grown woman, that I can already see for myself.' I heard the bemusement in his voice.

'So do you still agree to paint me or not?' I said bluntly, ignoring his crude manner and the meaning behind his words. I was growing tired of our exchange that kept me standing outside in the cold.

'Yes, my lady, I will paint you. Come with me inside and we can get started immediately. Your servants, on the other hand, can go back from where they came and come back for you in five days or I am happy for them to remain in the barn attached to the main house,' he spoke less severely to me.