Artfully Yours


 
 
 
 Praise for Joanna Lowell and Her Novels
 “My readers will love Joanna Lowell’s writing!”
 —Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author of My Last Duchess
 “Compelling and exquisitely crafted, The Runaway Duchess is a beautiful romance that enchants from the very first page. Lowell’s wit, sumptuous imagery, and vivid, endearing characters combine to make this a swooningly gorgeous read. Highly recommended.”
 —India Holton, author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
 “A beautiful blend of seductive suspense and heart-tugging romance that I could not put down. Romance fans should make room for this author on their keeper shelves!”
 —Lyssa Kay Adams, national bestselling author of Crazy Stupid Bromance
 “Joanna Lowell’s skillful storytelling and dazzling characters create one of the most exciting new voices in historical romance today.”
 —Julia London, New York Times bestselling author of A Princess by Christmas
 “A charming romance with an atypical heroine and a to-die-for (and hot!) hero in this unique tale of a duke and a struggling artist in Victorian London.”
 —Jennifer Ashley, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Mackenzie Bride
 “I really loved this book—in fact, I couldn’t put it down. It’s a fabulous feast of a story that plunges you into the Victorian era with all its levels and complications. . . . There’s tension, adventure, derring-do, a fight against corruption on several levels, a rich cast of characters, and a hero and heroine to admire and cheer for. All in all, a rich and heartwarming historical romance.”
 —Anne Gracie, national bestselling author of The Scoundrel’s Daughter
 “Lowell’s finely wrought characters don’t have it easy when it comes to navigating restrictive Victorian society, but even their most outrageous actions ring true. Readers will be swept away by this entrancing, intelligent romance.”
 —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
 “It’s a lush, sensual, and outstanding romance that makes the heart ache in the very best way.”
 —BookPage (starred review)
 “Impeccably researched, Lowell’s latest emphasizes justice. This love story tackles weighty issues but remains suspenseful and spellbinding.”
 —Library Journal (starred review)
 “Lowell’s prose is vivid and evocative, and issues such as class inequity, women’s rights, and alcohol addiction complement the intense on-page evolution of the love story. . . . Those looking for a happy ever after for complex and passionate characters will be very satisfied here. A new voice in historical romance that will keep readers riveted.”
 —Kirkus Reviews
 
 
 Titles by Joanna Lowell
 
 the duke undone
 the runaway duchess
 artfully yours
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Berkley Romance
 Published by Berkley
 An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
 penguinrandomhouse.com
 
 Copyright © 2023 by Joanna Ruocco
 Readers Guide copyright © 2023 by Joanna Ruocco
 Penguin Random House supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin Random House to continue to publish books for every reader.
 BERKLEY and the BERKLEY and B colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.
 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
 Names: Lowell, Joanna, author.
 Title: Artfully yours / Joanna Lowell.
 Description: First edition. | New York: Berkley Romance, 2023.
 Identifiers: LCCN 2022025638 (print) | LCCN 2022025639 (ebook) | ISBN 9780593198322 (trade paperback) | ISBN 9780593198339 (ebook)
 Subjects: LCGFT: Romance fiction. | Novels.
 Classification: LCC PS3618.U568 A89 2023 (print) | LCC PS3618.U568 (ebook) | DDC 813/.6—dc23/eng/20220602
 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022025638
 LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022025639
 First Edition: February 2023
 Cover design by Rita Frangie
 Cover illustration by Monika Roe
 Adapted for ebook by Molly Jeszke
 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
 pid_prh_6.0_142492537_c0_r0
 
 
 
 For Frankie anyway.
 
 
 
 Chapter One
 
 May 1885
 Alan pointed to the painting on the drawing room wall.
 “Fake,” he said. The maid dropped the tea tray with a crash, so he repeated himself, in case his brother hadn’t heard.
 “That painting. It’s a fake, not a Rembrandt. It’s no more Dutch than the devil. Or perhaps the devil is Dutch.” He shrugged. “I’ve always pictured him as an English aristocrat. Better the devil you know, as they say.”
 “Your devilry is my only concern of the moment.” Geoffrey sat rigid in his chair, face as starched as his collar. “Lord Death.”
 “De’Ath,” corrected Alan absently, still eyeing the picture. He’d adopted his nom de plume thirteen years ago while a student at Oxford, the same summer their father died and Geoffrey himself assumed a new name. Duke of Umfreville.
 All of Alan’s enemies called him Lord Death. Geoffrey was as original as . . . well, that bloody Rembrandt.
 A ringing thud. The maid had fetched up the silver sugar pot only to let it slip again. Judging from the sound and the sugar pot’s location on the floor, Alan surmised that it had struck the edge of the marble tabletop on the way down.
 “Leave that alone,” barked Geoffrey. The maid was on her knees, scooping the sugar back into the pot. She scrambled up. All around her feet, the Turkish carpet glittered with crystals.
 “Send a competent parlormaid to clean up,” said Geoffrey. “And see that she brings a fresh tray.”
 Alan leaned over the curved arm of the settee and felt for the teacup he’d seen bounce toward the flower stand. He hooked the bone china handle with his finger, set the cup on the table, and smiled at the maid.
 “Don’t mind him.” He tipped his head toward Geoffrey. “His dander’s up about his sham masterpiece.”
 Among other things, none of which pertained to a bumbled tea tray.
 Upon inspection, the maid appeared