twenty-nine
PERRY WAS GOING to growl if Sir James didn’t stop ogling Edith.
Oliver had arranged the visit, mentioning the opportunity to take a look at the Star Maiden, and lured by the possibility of seeing the legendary painting, Sir James hadn’t wasted time.
“Miss Winkworth, what a pleasure to see you here.” He kissed her hand with a slobbering sound that upset Perry. “Lord Ravenscroft, I’m deeply sorry for the carriage accident.” He lost his buoyancy. “It was a shock to learn one of my stable hands tampered with your carriage. Shameful. Inexcusable. I fully cooperated with both the police and your private detective.”
“Thank you.” Perry gave him a nod. “I don’t consider you responsible, and your being here is very appreciated.”
Edith smiled. “Dear Sir James, I was so relieved to know you would be the doctor to examine Lord Ravenscroft because I know your integrity and professional behaviour.”
“Of course.” Sir James’s beady eyes brightened behind the glasses. “And I’ll admit your friend’s hint aboutthatpainting won me over.”
“Remember when you asked me if I posed for it?” Edith whispered.
The physician flushed. “That conversation tormented me for weeks on end.”
“Well, you were right. I wasn’t honest with you. I was worried about what you might have thought of me.” She batted her eyelashes, looking adorable.
Perry would fall to her feet immediately if he were the physician.
Sir James giggled. Giggled! “The painting exists.”
“Would you like to see it?”
“Absolutely.” Sir James shook with excitement as Edith led him upstairs. He also stared at her behind as she went up.
“Sir James,” Perry hissed. “I trust you to be a gentleman.”
“I am.” Sir James shot him an outraged glare.
“There it is.” Edith pushed the door to the parlour open with a dramatic gesture.
The light hit the clothed Star Maiden, making her shine with a dozen colours, and Perry had to admit it was a stunning painting.
Despite the fact Edith was dressed, the shadows and colours played a game with the light, giving the illusion that her silver tunic revealed more than it did. Whenever Perry moved and looked at the painting from a different angle, he could glimpse at her nipples, or so it seemed. If he shifted to the right and focused on her smile, she’d appear dressed in a flimsy tunic, but if he stared at her chest, she lost the smile and was fully clothed. A magic trick.
“By Jove.” Sir James remained motionless, staring at the painting as if he were in front of a saint. “It’s perfect.” He walked around the painting slowly, muttering under his breath. “Oh, Miss Winkworth, you have been naughty because I can see…”
“Careful,” Perry said. “Shall I remind you that you’re a gentleman and talking with my future countess?”
Sir James looked affronted again. “I mean no offence, my lord, quite the opposite. This is pure art. Pure beauty. I’m a surgeon, and let me tell you, the human body looks more beautiful on the outside than the inside.” He laughed.
Perry didn’t even crack a smile.
“Society wouldn’t agree,” Sir James continued. “People think that just because a lady poses naked?—”
“She’s not naked,” Perry said.
“Shush,” Edith chided him.
Sir James ignored them. “—that she’s ruined. I disagree wholeheartedly. Look at this masterpiece.” His face was so red and bright that Perry worried he might have a seizure. “Do you think there might be a chance that I can acquire this painting?”
“Alas, it’s not for sale.” Edith covered the painting with a blanket. “It’s for Lord Ravenscroft’s eyes only.”
“But…but…” Sir James shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
“Sir James, we should proceed with the examination,” Perry said. “Let’s go.”
