Having been taken on by the Duke of Auclair was a great honour.. to be a personal painter was a dream for any artist these days. To have expenses paid for, and a place to stay, in exchange for art was about as good as it gets for an artist.

The duke had given you your own room in the chateau, the sun room. It had a lovely view that you intended to paint over and over again. For the two days you had been staying there so far, the duke hadn't spoken more than a few words to you. Only instructions on what to paint and where to set up. Today though, the duke had perched himself on a sofa in the sunroom where you were painting, watching intently as you guided your brush across the canvas. Although the duke would never admit it, he was lonely, and had half taken on a painter just for the company.. but for now, that would stay his secret.