thirteen
NOT EVEN A day had passed since Perry had bought the Star Maiden, but he was already infatuated with the painting. More than infatuated. Obsessed. Which surprised him.
He’d purchased it only to protect Edith’s honour, but now that the Star Maiden hung on the wall of his personal parlour, he found himself charmed by it, utterly mesmerised.
Mr. Valentine Carter was a true artist. His strokes could be both light and strong, depending on the effect he wanted to achieve. He brought out Edith’s delicate beauty and caught the perfect shade of her forest-green eyes. Impressive. The more Perry looked at Astrea, the more it seemed she swayed her hips and smiled in a coquettish manner.
Of course, the fact Mr. Carter had seen Edith in that ridiculously transparent gown, tunic, or whatever the flimsy thing was didn’t escape his notice.
He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Annoyed, perhaps. Envious, for sure.
The painting belonged to him, and only he would enjoy it. A set of curtains would protect it from prying eyes when he wasn’tin the room. He’d instructed his servants not to peek under the curtains under the pain of being dismissed from his service.
Edith herself was a work of art as a woman. Her lines were delicate and stunning at the same time. The flare of her hips seemed so real he believed he could touch it, feel the warmth of her skin, or smell her fresh scent.
An urgent knock distracted him. “My lord.”
He tugged at the rope and covered the painting. “Come in.”
“My lord.” The butler pushed the door open and bowed. “Lady Lancaster and her sister, Miss Winkworth, are here to see you. They said it’s urgent.”
“I’ll receive them in the sitting room, thank you.” He could bet the sudden, unannounced visit had to do with the Star Maiden.
He found the two sisters pacing in the sitting room. Lady Lancaster paced clockwise. Edith paced anti-clockwise. That surely revealed something about the two sisters, but he wouldn’t guess what.
“Lady Lancaster, Edith.”
“Ravenscroft.” Lady Lancaster bowed her head. “Apologies for the intrusion.”
Edith greeted him, too, but her gesture was less deep and more guarded than her sister’s.
“Thank you for seeing us, even if we didn’t send a card.” Lady Lancaster tormented her hands while Edith pressed her lips in a hard line.
He gestured at the armchairs. “Please, take a seat and tell me what the matter is.”
Lady Lancaster perched on the edge of the sofa. Edith sat next to her with her hands folded on her lap.
“We won’t take too much of your time, so we’ll go straight to the point.” Lady Lancaster nudged Edith with her elbow.
Edith cleared her throat, her gaze on her hands. “We’re aware of the fact you came into possession of a certain painting.” She finally gazed up at him. “I’m sure you know what I’m referring to.”
Oh, he knew very well. “The last time we met, we had a conversation. I’m sure you know what I’m referring to.”
Lady Lancaster shifted her gaze from Edith to Perry. “The last time? What is His Lordship talking about?”
Edith ignored her. “This is different. That painting shouldn’t have been sold. Mr. Carter is a friend of mine. He promised me the painting wouldn’t leave his atelier. That was the deal we made for me to agree to pose.”
He propped his elbow on the mantelpiece. “I’m sorry to hear that one of your friends lied to you. But yes, I purchased the painting from the gallery.”
“I mean to buy the painting,” Lady Lancaster said. “Whatever you paid for it, I’ll give you that sum and more. Edith and I are ready to do anything to avoid a scandal.”
“And I’ll repay you, Marianne,” Edith said with determination. “Not just for today, but for all the times you helped me. I swear it.”
“All the times? What does that mean?” he asked no one in particular.
Edith stared at him as if begging him not to say more.
Lady Lancaster sniffled. “Edith is a very energetic young woman who is going through a difficult moment, and there were times when she went astray.”
