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“You’re right,” he said after sing a htfully unfair of me to claim such a monumental prize”

“Does that mean you intend to remove your shirt?”

“No But I shall grant your wish You asked about my dreams and aspirations I love to paint, landscapes mainly Were money not a factor I would like to have a studio, somewhere quiet and peaceful where I could spendbeautiful scenes”

A look of wonder illuminated her face “But surely there is time to paint and host parties? Could you not have a studio here and work during the day?”

“This e, but creativity requires a clear uests The air here is tainted I’ve tried to focus many times but to no avail”

“I would love to see your work”

The cruel taunts and jibes of his peers drifted into his mind In truth, the hostile reaction he’d experienced as a younghim too

“Perhaps when I have a studio, maybe even a patron, then I will show you”

She pursed her lips for a long tiined a place in ht visit theh the forest, I would find a cottage They were always inside, happy, together They would hug me and tell me all ell and I would leave theave an odd little wave “What I mean is you can create the ide

al studio in your o there”

As Matthew listened to her ords, an odd feeling enveloped hi too complicated to define

“How can I concentrate whenof neays to entertain the dissolute?” It was an excuse Avoidance was the best technique when dealing with any unwarranted e else”

“Then let ht not have the skills necessary to please libertines, but there must be some tasks I can attend to”

The strange feeling was there again, swelling, pushing at his ribcage

“I’ll consider the offer But for noe have a game to finish”