Portraits, Passion, and Other Pastimes

A grumpy marquess with an inheritance problem.

When his father dies, Raph Bromley, new Marquess of Waneborough, inherits a crumbling estate, an ocean of debt, a valuable art collection, and a most unusual stipulation in his father’s will. No piece in the art collection can be sold unless Raph creates a brilliant work of art. But he’s all thumbs and no imagination and that’s never going to happen. Thank goodness for heiresses. Raph will simply marry for money. Except his mother’s new companion, a clever but poor beauty tests his resolve and makes him think … maybe painting won’t be so hard.

A clever companion with no home of her own.

After fifteen years of work, Matilda Bellvue has inherited a cottage of her very own. She’ll make it her home after completing one final job, serving as companion to the Marquess of Waneborough’s mother. Her task is simple: help the grieving marchioness and, above all else, do not fall in love with her employer, a man who makes her feel like she’s finally found home.

When Raph asks Matilda to help him understand art and earn his inheritance, their attraction sizzles into something more. But she has no money, he must marry rich, and falling in love offers only heartache.

Portraits, Passion, and Other Pastimes is book 1 in Charlie Lane’s family-focused Regency romance series The Art of Love.