Laura sprinkled salt onto the soup, although she didn’t wish to eat it. “What sort of problem is it that cannot wait until morning?”
“I’m afraid I couldn’t say, my lady. Would you care for more wine?”
Laura nodded, realizing she’d drunk a full glass. As the ruby liquid swirled into her wineglass, she discreetly studied him. Rudge was younger than she first thought. The shady side of forty, the gray at his temples and his manner lent him a gravitas one associated with age. “Have you been with Lord Lanyon long, Rudge?”
“Four and a half years, my lady.”
“Then you served the first Lady Lanyon.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“She was a good mistress?”
Rudge put down the wine carafe and stepped back into his position. “Yes, my lady.”
“I believe she was quite lovely.”
“Yes. A very fine lady.” He clasped and unclasped his gloved hands. “Do you not care for the soup? Shall I serve the next course?”
“The soup is delicious, but I’m not very hungry tonight.” She pushed her plate away, wondering if she made him uncomfortable. Her curiosity and perhaps the wine had made her speak out of turn. Somehow, she didn’t much care. She took another sip of the fine claret. “Is there a likeness of her here? I haven’t seen one.”
“His lordship had the portrait removed.”
Laura sat stunned. Amanda’s room was kept as she left it, yet any picture of her had been removed. It made no sense. She rubbed her brow. Unless Nathaniel could not bear to look at one.
“There’s a portrait stored in the library,” Rudge said. “I could show it to you after dinner should you wish it, my lady.”
Laura toyed with her wineglass. Candlelight flashed rainbow colors across the cut glass. “Perhaps I’ll wait for Lord Lanyon to do so. Serve the next course, if you please.”
After dinner, Laura asked for coffee to be served in the library.
Rudge stood beside her as she sat by the fire. “Do you require anything more, my lady?”
“No, that will be all.”
“I could show you the portrait now, if you wish?”
Rudge seemed very eager for her to see it. Should she refuse? Or would she know better what she was dealing with if she viewed it? She finished her coffee and put down the cup. “Very well.”
“If you’ll come this way, my lady.”
Laura rose, wondering if she’d been rash, and followed Rudge to the far end of the room. Opening a cupboard, Rudge carefully removed a large painting wrapped in a cloth cover. His mouth twisted into an odd smile. “This used to hang above the fireplace in this room.” After he pulled away the fabric, his thick fingers caressed the gilt frame. Then he turned the painting towardher.
Had Rudge been obsessed with Amanda? The suspicion sent a shaft of unease down her spine. Not about to give him satisfaction, she studied the painting without comment. The composition was an unusual one. The artist had placed his subject in this room, with the magnificent stained glass window, the baronial fireplace, even the leopard skin rug just as it was now. Again, the feeling that it happened just a moment ago made Laura drag in a sharp breath.
Amanda stood in the center of the stone-flagged floor with a flowery hat in one gloved hand, as if she was about to go out or had just returned. She looked directly at the painter; a smile curved her lips and her blue eyes held laughter, her blonde hair drawn back from a pale brow into a smooth knot. Her gown was of a blue stuff that matched her eyes, and she held a dainty blue parasol at herside.
“She was lovely.” Laura wished Amanda hadn’t been quite sobeautiful.
“Yes, she was.” The crisp reply came from behind her. “Put the painting away, Rudge.”
Laura whirled around. Nathaniel stood at thedoor.
“That will be all, Rudge,” Laura said, not taking her eyes from herhusband.
Nathaniel threw himself down into a chair by the fireplace. He’d changed his clothes. “Bring me a brandy before you go, Rudge.”
Her throat tight, Laura remained silent until the door closed behind the butler. “I’m sorry, should I not have seen it?”
