New Canterbury Affair — Frances Pauli

Lierra comes to New Canterbury to prepare for her wedding. When she meets her hero in her uncle's gallery, however, her focus shifts from the impending marriage to learning everything she can from the enigmatic artist.  

Despite his fame, Forrest Ecks has little in the way of promise. Injured in the war, his painting career has withered along with his damaged hand. When the Lady Darvid shows him an E-sel full of promising sketches, Forrest takes on the task of teaching the woman. But Lierra herself proves far more interesting than her paintings.

Lierra's engagement hovers ever closer, but more than her art blooms during her lessons with Forrest. With the little time they have, can they teach each other that giving up is never the best option?