Page 26 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

Obviously, Evan was a shite artdon.However, frustration was pointless, so he did his best to dispense tidbits of knowledge.

“Take breaks quite often. Step back and compare your drawing to the image. I also find it helpful to look away for a moment or two. It allows me to see my art through fresh eyes.”

“I dare say, you are quite the instructor,” Wellspring declared.

Nay, he was still rubbish, but he thanked Wellspring for the compliment and continued to dole out pedagogical techniques.

At last, he stumbled upon a splendid idea.

Evan removed the small brass telescope from his bag and handed it to the earl. “I use this if I am looking at something from a distance. It helps me see details. I can study the lines and colors from a different perspective and delve deep into my image.”

“Why, that is brilliant.” Wellspring brought the scope to his eye. He murmured sounds of amazement as he panned the view. “’Tis as if I am actually in the sea.”

“Exactly,” Evan said.

“What the dickens?” Wellspring dropped the telescope to his side.

Had he seen a murder? A headless whale? Whatever he’d witnessed, it must be horrible to elicit such a wide-eyed, wide-mouthed look of horror.

“What is wrong?” Evan asked.

“I can see the women,” Wellspring said.

Women! “What women?”

“Lady Katrina, Anna, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Justine. They are sea dipping.”

Evan rubbed his hands together. “Are they naked?”

“No!” Wellspring’s chin snapped indignantly.

“Can you see through their frocks?”

Wellspring balked. “Good heavens, man. Bad form. What is wrong with you?”

“A million things.”

Mostly, he was a leering lech who loved women. Especially naked women. Or women in see-through wet frocks. Evan grasped the telescope and shoved it against his eye. He searched the beach until he found them.

Katrina stood on the steps of a wagon. He adjusted the lens until her image was clear. She wore nothing but a white shift.

“Eaton, how ungentlemanly and indecent to spy on them.” Wellspring reached for the scope.

Evan knocked Wellspring’s hand away. “Think of it as watching birds. Or sharks. Or any other animal in its natural habitat.”

“Ladies are not animals,” Wellspring declared.

Well… Evan was an animal. A randy, libidinous, and prurient beast.

“Bloody hell.” Evan roared with laughter. “The dipper just shoved Katrina Harrington into the water.”

“Good heavens,” Wellspring said.

’Twas all quite humorous until Katrina stayed under the water for far too long. Evan needed to save her. But there was no way he could reach her in time. The dipper didn’t seem concerned in the least. She crossed her arms over her bosom and grinned.

“Is Katrina safe?” Wellspring asked.

Evan swallowed bile. If only he could fly to her rescue.