“I hope after this test, you’ll tell me the truth about the secret painting,” he said between puffs of smoke.
No, she wouldn’t use the Star Maiden as leverage. “I’m afraid the test won’t change the fact that I didn’t pose for any paintings, sir.”
He scowled. “Right the other day, I was talking with Miss Daphne Ferguson, who, I believe, is a friend of yours.”
Edith perked up. “She is, sir.” Or was.
“I told her about your test and mentioned the Star Maiden, and she said that you posed for it.”
Thank you, Daphne, for blabbering. “Daphne loves making jokes. I’m afraid she was jesting.”
His scowl deepened. “The test begins now. You have an hour, Miss Winkworth.”
Focus. She took the pen and started the test.
Perry kept glancingat the window of the study where Edith was taking the test.
She wasn’t going to fail. He had no doubts.
Walking through the garden should help soothe his inner turmoil and control his emotions. In summer, the garden had to burst into life with roses and begonias, but now it was all dull and brown with shy, budding leaves. Not exactly inspiring.
Wandering, he arrived at the stable and watched a groom taking care of his horses. Another groom or stable hand was fussing around his carriage for some reason. The road to Sir James’s house was in pristine condition. No mud, gaps, holes, or bumps. His carriage couldn’t possibly have been damaged by the smooth ride. Yet the man remained crouched next to the back wheel, doing something Perry couldn’t see.
“Is something the matter?” He strode towards the two men.
The groom kept wiping the sweat from the horse’s neck, but the other stable hand straightened with haste.
“Lord Ravenscroft,” the groom said. “There’s no problem at all. Your coachman and footman are taking a cup of tea in the kitchen, and I’m attending to your horses. They’re in excellent shape. I gave them some water and a bit of oat.”
Perry focused on the other man. “What about your companion?”
The second man shrugged. “No problem, my lord. The axle just needed some lubricant.” The man showed his dirty hands. “Not much, but it’s all done now.”
Perry worked his jaw. His coachman zealously checked the carriage before every trip. Although the last few miles to Sir James’s house stretched on a narrow road that ran along a steep escarpment. One couldn’t be too careful. A carriage could easily roll down the slope; all it took was a small mistake.
A maid walked over to him, interrupting the conversation. “My lord.” She curtsied. “Sir James sent me to fetch you. Miss Winkworth finished her test.”
His heart gave a quick thump. So much for controlling his emotions. He returned to the house as fast as he could go without breaking into a run. He found Edith pacing in the sitting room, hands on her hips.
“How did it go?”
She threw a hand up. “I don’t know yet. Sir James is checking my test. Oh, goodness, what if I made a mistake in listing all the bones in the wrist? There are so many, and I think I forgot one of them. I’m not sure if I described the Jackson-Norton procedure correctly, either.”
“Don’t fret. If you get nervous, I’ll be nervous as well and get a seizure.”
That got her attention. She stopped pacing and pressed her lips hard as if making a decision. “Whatever the result is, I have to thank you for your support. I wouldn’t have come this far without you.”
“You would have. I only gave you a nudge.”
She paled a little when Sir James entered the sitting room, his gaze on her test. “Miss Winkworth.” He removed his glasses. “You passed your test with flying colours. Congratulations.”
She let out a funny noise halfway between a squeak and a yelp. “Heavens.”
Sir James smiled. “I have no qualms about supporting your enrolment in the London School of Medicine for Women. Gossip doesn’t matter when someone possesses such dedication. Use it well, miss.”
She clamped her hands over her mouth and stayed in that position, her eyes wide as if in horror.
“Edith?” Perry touched her arm. “Are you all right?” He removed her hands from her mouth. “Congratulations.”
