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‘Yes. This is why I love writing. I can make order out of chaos; good people get rewarded and bad people face justice.’ She laughed. ‘There’s a childish pleasure in toying with the gods.’
After Mrs Wolfe had asked her to move her arm a fraction and tilt her chin, she said, ‘That’s a thrilling power indeed. Tell me, if your mother has been resurrected in your writing, are you there too?’
‘I am. But pretty.’ Madeleine blushed at having admitted this out loud.
‘Why such a thought? What I see from my painter’s perspective is someone with a delicately drawn face, like a Holbein, and the most remarkable eyes I have ever seen. But I fear their mysterious depths and flashes of lively spirit are too fleeting to properly capture in paint.’
This was said in the most matter-of-fact voice as if they were truths carved in stone, and Madeleine was overcome with gratitude for Mrs Wolfe’s recognition of something admirable in her.
The calm, amused tone continued. ‘If your novel has a heroine, I presume you also have a hero?’
Madeleine was eager, ‘Oh yes!’ then checked her natural enthusiasm. She could not give herself away by describing him, for Mrs Wolfe would immediately recognise her friend and know Madeleine’s foolish pretensions.
Corinna appeared to be concentrating on painting Madeleine’s hand against the fall of diaphanous silk, then said without looking up, ‘I realise you’ve already met Mr Shilton’s betrothed?’
‘I have. She had to be consulted over the fate of young Billy.’
‘I heard you and Mr Shilton differed in your opinion from Miss Payton in that matter.’
The memory of their visit to The Foundling Hospital caused Madeleine some agitation, but she was careful not to change her expression or the arrangement of her hands. ‘Mr Shilton and I felt the mother’s wish for Billy’s safety should be respected, that he should be cared for in a home, not an institution, however august.’
‘Is anything known of the child’s mother?’
‘No. No one saw her leave Billy on the doorstep, although he seemed very well fed and cared for.’ There was silence as Corinna mixed some more paint, then Madeleine added, ‘We all love Billy.’ She blushed.
Corinna looked up and said, ‘I’m not surprised. He has a particular beauty and charm.’
The colour in Madeleine’s cheeks deepened. She suspected Corinna was thinking that these characteristics were shared with her dear friend. It surprised Madeleine how much she wished to defend Mr Shilton from any imputation of negligence of his duty. ‘I truly believe Mr Shilton is as much in the dark about Billy’s parentage as are we.’
Corinna wiped her brushes on a piece of paint-splattered rag and continued gazing at the portrait propped before her on the easel. ‘It’s been very helpful to have you here, Miss Rose. I feel I’ve almost captured La Bambolina’s hands. Thank you for your patience.’
Madeleine walked behind the screen to dress again in her own gown. Corinna kept on talking. ‘I have to go and check Cook’s got the fowl she ordered. I’ve invited Alick’s friends to dinner and they’re always hungry and eat so much!’
They both were walking out of the studio when there was a bold knock on the front door and Gibbons opened it to a young man as handsome as one of Milton’s fallen angels. His dark curls were wind-blown, his cheeks flared with colour, his driving coat and high boots smeared with the dust of the road.
Corinna flew into his arms with a cry of delight. ‘Rav! What a pleasure to see you again, and sooner than expected.’
Gibbons smiled benignly. Mr Wolfe’s young male friends brought an effervescent energy to the household, although he used to disapprove of their cavalier ways when they were unmarried, young bucks about Town.
Laughing, Lord Purfoy swung Corinna off the ground. ‘Cory, how good to see you too! But only fleetingly, as you know, I have to drive back to Eliza. My countess is close to her confinement.’
Corinna turned to Madeleine. ‘Miss Rose, this is one of our dearest friends, Raven, Lord Purfoy, Earl of Hartfield.’ Then, taking the arm of the handsome dark man, she said, ‘Rav, let me introduce Miss Madeleine Rose, a friend of Ferdy’s and now ours too.’
Madeleine’s shyness was dispelled by Lord Purfoy’s unexpected warmth of manner. ‘I am pleased to meet you, Miss Rose.’ His narrow dark eyes sparkled with a knowing expression as he retained her hand and continued, ‘Although I had no intention of coming to Town again until next year, Mrs Wolfe is irresistible when she has a scheme to improve the lives of others.’
Corinna tutted and drew him away before he could say anything more. ‘Rav, you look a sight. Gibbons will show you your room if you’d like to change for dinner.’ Then she walked with Madeleine to the door. ‘Thank you again, Miss Rose, for your time. Perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow?’
* * *
When Corinna had dressed for dinner, she walked into the library where her husband was pouring his best French brandy into four glasses. Max Flambard sprawled in the chair on one side of the fire and Raven Purfoy stood leaning against the fireplace, their saturnine good looks making them into a classical tableau of two satyrs waiting for the festivities to begin. Lord Purfoy was a little sleeker than at his arrival and turned with a smile to his hostess. ‘So, before Ferdy arrives, tell us, Cory, what you have in mind.’
‘He’s not invited until later, so we have a chance to talk.’ Corinna accepted a glass of brandy held out by her husband. ‘As you know, it’s not like me to interfere in anyone’s life.’
Lord Purfoy and Alick snorted with fond amusement.
Laughing, Corinna coloured. ‘No! It’s too bad of you to suggest otherwise.’
‘My dearest Corinna,’ Alick said smoothly, ‘your interest in others, your insights and capacity for understanding, are all part of what make you such a successful artist.’ Then he dropped his voice, suddenly embarrassed by his wish to express in public his uxorious affection. ‘And such a beloved wife and friend.’
