Stepping from the carriage, Melissa looked at the tumbled down cottage that was the home of the most renowned artist in the district, probably in the entire country. How a man with such ability could live in these conditions was beyond her understanding, something about staying in touch with the real world. Still, who was she to question how another man chose to live his life. It had taken her almost a year to get him to agree upon painting her portrait, and she wasn't going to loose this opportunity by being judgmental. Lifting her skirts to step over a small puddle left from last night's rains, she made her way to the door and knocked lightly.
Dale Stevens was a very private man, and guarded his personal life very closely, only allowing others into his home on such occasions of business. He was already irritated by the fact the Melissa Christian, a high born brat and social butterfly, was fifteen minutes late for her sitting. He was a busy man and much in demand, not one to be kept waiting idly by while upper class ladies took their leisure. He opened the door and glared at her, startling her slightly. At 27 he still look like a youth. Strong and well built, handsome in every sense of the word, his dark eyes deep and penetrating hidden only by the long strands of sandy blond hair that hung lose over his face. He looked nothing like she would have expected an artist of his stature to look, nothing at all. He gave her an arrogant look.
"You're late." With that he turned his back on her, walking back into the cabin, leaving her to follow. She was still in a state of shock from this man's mannerisms when he pointed to a stool against the wall and grunted, motioning for her to sit. She plopped to the stool, her eyes welling up with tears and her bottom lip trembling. Never had she been so disappointed, or so offended.
Dale took one look at her pouting features and threw his arms in the air despairingly.
"Madam. When I paint, I paint perfection. Now unless you intend for me to paint the perfect sulking child, I suggest you smile."