Odalisque - Chapter 177

What did that have to do with her? What in the world was the painting hanging there?

Liv’s already pale complexion grew even paler. An ominous shiver ran down her spine.

***

Liv wasn’t sure how she said goodbye to Baroness Vendons. When Baroness Vendons realized that she was planning to head straight for the outdoor exhibition hall, she gave her some advice.

She told her to cover her face as much as possible.

Liv’s palms were clammy with sweat the whole way to the gallery. All sorts of unsettling scenarios filled her head, even if she didn’t intend so.

A painting related to her. Liv could only think of one.

The nude paintings that Brad had done.

But all of Brad’s nude paintings were owned by the Marquis. The Marquis, who was peculiarly possessive and perfectionistic, would not have sold any of his nude paintings now.

As she nervously stroked the hem of her skirt over her knee, the carriage arrived at the exhibition grounds. Liv pushed her bonnet forward as far as it would go and stepped out of the carriage.

In the large space in front of the art gallery, wooden easels stood at fixed spaces. One in particular was crowded with people, and Liv knew instinctively that the painting Baroness Vendors had spoken of was on display there.

With a stiff face, Liv made her way over to it.

“… Is it possible to paint like that without seeing the thing?”

“I saw her when I took her measurements, and I think it’s pretty close.”

The women chattering away jumped and stepped aside when they saw Liv. But before they had a chance to check her out, Liv poked her head through the crowd. She couldn’t see very well, so she pushed her way in, causing a few people to be pushed aside and spit out angry curses.

However, when they caught a glimpse of Liv’s face under her bonnet, they slowly backed away. This made it easier for Liv to see the painting through the crowd.

“How shameful, really.”

The woman standing next to her muttered, clicking her tongue, and then coughed when she spotted Liv. Liv, however, didn’t care about her reaction at all. Her gaze was locked on an unframed canvas.

It was a nude painting of a woman’s back.

As if to reveal what had taken place, the naked body was painted with blotchy redness, and around her was lavish jewelry strewn about.

The slightly turned sideways face was hard to pinpoint, but the defined curl of the mouth was sensuous, as though trying to hint at something.

Rough brushstrokes and a vaguely familiar form.

This was the very painting Brad had been working on at the Marquis’ mansion. But at the same time, it was not Brad’s painting.

First of all, that side profile. In the original work, only her back was drawn, and her body didn’t have that kind of redness. She also had never seen the jewelry in the background before. It was like someone else had painted over an unfinished drawing. Not surprisingly, it had a different feel compared to Brad’s previous nude paintings.

Nevertheless, the model in the painting was Liv.

… That nude painting was of Liv Rhodes, mistress of Marquis Demus Dietrion.

“Miss Rhodes!”

A panicked voice called out from behind Liv, who was still staring at the painting. A moment later, someone grabbed her and turned her around.

It was Camille, who was breathing and sweating heavily, probably from running. Several men followed behind him.

“Excuse me, but this painting is not for display.”

“Please step aside.”

As the men moved to remove the painting, someone protested in an annoyed voice. The shout was asking why take it down when it looks good. The voice was so loud that it jolted Liv out of her reverie.

“Let’s move from here first.”

Camille tugged on Liv’s arm. Eyes followed them, but no one stood in their way.

***

The rumors that I’m debauched will only grow now.

It was a late thought, as she stopped walking like a possessed person. However, her emotions were hushed. She didn’t feel worried, anxious, or afraid.

After glancing down at her arm in Camille’s hand, Liv looked around. They had entered a warehouse-like space. Several easels were stacked, paint buckets were stored inside, and boxes that looked like they contained painting tools were stacked. It was probably a storage room built near the art gallery.

“Miss Rhodes, are you all right?”

“… Yes.”

Unfortunately for Camille, who looked at her with concern, Liv’s mind was very calm at that moment. It was so calm that it felt strange even to herself.

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