Chapter 3Rather than being a one-off, night by night, Mr. Bartlett continued the interview. Subtle though he was, Joshua realized this was a carefully planned seduction. The deliberately early arrival to snatch a few minutes with Joshua was both flattering and nerve-racking.
This special attention did not escape his all-seeing uncle’s notice. He was no prude but was concerned for his nephew. “Be careful, lad,” Uncle Samuel said when they had a quiet moment together. “These wealthy men can take you up and throw you away as casually as a roll of the dice. I wouldn’t want you to be hurt.”
Joshua nodded his head in agreement but in his heart, he knew he was as neatly baited and hooked like a fish by an expert angler. Even during painting lessons, his thoughts were not far away from Frank, as
