Dunstan’s London housewas modest compared to Warrington House but was on prime property, being on Arlington Street. His neighbors included the Earl of Sefton, whose wife was one of the patronesses of Almack’s. Tony had met the lady several times, and she had scrutinized him from head to toe before giving him acceptance. Almack’s was a bore, but it gave him access to members of the ton who did not often attend more liberal entertainments. Being part of a respectable family helped as well.
Dunstan’s butler led him into a nice-sized parlor overlooking the street. Subtle tones of dark green and gold decorated the parlor and there were potted plants placed here and there. The fireplace was crackling nicely, and it made Tony wince with the memory of another fireplace.
Dunstan appeared, pulling on the cuffs of his shirt as if he had just donned his jacket. He must have noticed Tony studying him. “Forgive me. I was in my painting clothes. I hope you have not been waiting too long.”
“No, not at all. This is a charming room.”
“Thank you. I rather like it. The light from the windows gives the room a different aspect depending on the time of day. It never feels the same or boring, but I am sure you do not care for such things.”
Tony ignored the jibe about his lack of art appreciation. “I have come about Miss Sterling, not your thoughts on your parlor.”
Dunstan smiled. A jibe for a jibe. Tony suspected Dunstan was enjoying this.
“Coffee? I roast my own beans. I import them from Java as I have a contact in the East India Company.” Dunstan gestured for him to sit.
Why would an artist have a connection in the East India Company? “No. I thank you. I hope this will not take too long.” Tony noticed that the earl was genuinely surprised.
“My, what has happened?”
“Miss Sterling is well, I assure you.”
“Good to hear. She left me but a few hours ago in fine health. I am intrigued though. Please, go on.” He poured himself a cup of coffee, added a lump of sugar, and stirred while he waited for Tony to answer.
For some reason the stirring played on his nerves. “I need to know if you are courting her seriously. Do you intend to marry her?”
Dunstan laughed, which put Tony on edge. Men laughed when they were uncomfortable. Well, he would be, if asked the same question.
“The season has just begun. Is there a reason for this hurry?”
“We are in April, Lord Dunstan.”
Dunstan narrowed his eyes. “Miss Sterling is lovely, do not misunderstand; my attentions towards her are honorable. However, if there is something I should know I beg you to tell me now. Or are you here to invite me to dinner at Warrington House?”
“I just wanted to make you aware of some things pertaining to her background. I don’t want lack of information about her family to be a hindrance to your marital plans.”
“Ah, yes, she has told me about her parents. Tragic, really. I am repainting her parents for her, did you know that? I think a larger portrait would be more flattering than the two smaller ones.”
So, he had more than an interest in her. “It is actually about the miniatures that I have come.”
“I have returned them to Miss Sterling. I no longer have them.”
“I am aware, but when she got home she noticed they were not in quite the same state as she gave them to you.”
Dunstan stopped stirring. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Her mother’s lock of hair was missing and she noticed they had been taken out of their frames.”
“I see,” he said, taking a sip of his coffee. He did not look as shocked as he should have in Tony’s opinion or in any way repentant.
“Why did you take them out of their frames?”
“It is an artist’s thing. You would not understand.” He waved a hand negligently in the air.
“Let me be the judge of that.”
He pinned Tony with a stare. “I took them out of the frames to measure the dimensions of their heads and faces so as to enlarge them on the obviously larger canvas. It is hard to measure if it is within its frame.”
Damn, that made sense. “Did you find anything else within the frame?”
