“You want my paintings, yes?”
So she did understand. “Yes, I want to sell them and make us both a great deal of money.”
She did not speak. He didn’t think she even breathed.
“Do you understand what I’m asking, Miss Lina? I want you to paint for me. Mrs. Dove-Lyon suggested I hire you so that you could come to trust me.”
“What does that have to do with the bookkeeping?”
“Absolutely nothing. It was a ruse to get you out here. Nothing more.” He leaned forward. “I’d like you come to know me. To see that I will deal honestly with you.”
“So I would paint for you?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“But—”
“No!” Then she stood and walked away.
Chapter Six
Li-Na walked quicklyout of the kitchen. She did not run, but fury boiled in her blood. She clenched her fists wishing she had a paintbrush to paint out her feelings in dark slashes and hard whip-like strokes.
She was not naïve. She understood that most people lied or manipulated to get what they wanted. But why go to such an elaborate ruse, just to get her paintings? And why would Mrs. Dove-Lyon—her friend Bessie!—betray her like that?
“Wait! Wait! Miss Lina!”
His words were like loud roars. She remembered the tiger snores from last night and realized that the beast was awake now. His footfalls were heavy behind her. She knew better than to outrun a predator, so she stood her ground, turning slowly to face Lord Daniel.
“Do you beat me now?” she asked, her voice flat. “Do I work on the account books? Or do I make my way back to London?”
He reared back, the shock on his face looking like the beginnings of a growl. “Of course not! Why would you think that?”
She should be grateful for that, but she was still too angry. She could not entwine her fingers together. She feared she’d break them. She held her fists against her belly and faced the tiger with as much calm as she could.
“Why would you do this? Why would you go to such lengths to pursue me?”
He sighed. “Because your art is that good. Because it is beautiful, and you deserve to be compensated for it.” He lifted his open hands as if he were waiting for her to gift him with something. “I have helped many artists become wealthy. They are able to feed themselves and their families while doing work they love.” His hands dropped to his sides. “I could do that for you. Give me a few paintings and see if I can do what I promise. What will it cost you?”
HE did not understand. He didn’t see that already her heart was beating triple time and her hands were sweating where they were wrapped together. But at least she didn’t’ become breathless. She retained enough rationality to respond with reason.
“Where am I to put this money?”
“What?”
“Where would I put this money? In a bag in my bedroom to tempt thieves?”
“You put it in a bank. I can explain the process to you if it would help.”
“And will they honor that this money is mine? A Chinese woman with no protection?”
“Of course. Those are the rules.”
She stared at him, wondering if he was pretending to be stupid or if he truly didn’t know. A moment later, he flushed, showing that he did understand the problem.
“You will need a man to open the account for you. Someone you trust. But then the money will be held for you.”