Ian is a gifted painter who was sold to the head of the Bardi family when he was very young. Jeremy Bardi is a renowned painter known for his genius but he has a secret, it is actually Ian who has been locked up in a room, beaten and raped, forced to paint for the Bardi's so they can pass his work off as Jeremy's. One day an up and coming merchant, Raymond, pays to have his portrait painted by the famous Jeremy only to meet their beaten down "servant' Ian. Recognizing the ruse, Raymond instigates a plot to free Ian and take care of him. Ian fastly falls for his savior but little does he know Raymond is not the kind gentleman Ian thinks he is but a clever business man out for his own revenge and he tends to use Ian for his own gains.
-- I enjoyed this story even though it was kind of slow at the beginning. I almost wish that Raymond married the princess and didn't have such a happy ending. It might have made the story more impactful but it's still good nonetheless.
A Painter Behind the Curtain