“I disagree,” Edith said. “He might accept to be your examiner, but if we give him the Star Maiden, he’ll undoubtedly produce a favourable report.”
“Please listen.” Oliver hooked his thumbs into his waistcoat. “How lucky are you to have me?”
“Do you really want an answer?” Perry asked.
“You know I’m always full of wonderful ideas.” Oliver beamed.
Perry and Edith stared at him.
Oliver looked affronted. “I saved the day more than once.”
“The last time you had a wonderful idea, your medical licence was revoked,” Perry said.
“And you’ll have to face a hearing,” Edith added.
“Yes, but this is a really good idea.” Oliver waved dismissively. “Sir James has never seen the painting, correct?”
“He isn’t even sure it exists,” Edith said.
Oliver grinned. “Have you ever heard of Francisco Goya?”
Perry exhaled. “I hope you aren’t referring to the painter but to an assassin for hire we can employ to get rid of my uncle.”
“I would never suggest such a thing.” Oliver put a hand on his chest. “I’m a doctor. I took the Hippocratic oath.Do no harm. Yes, I’m talking about the Spanish painter.”
“What does he have to do with our situation?” Edith asked.
“Well, Goya painted a rather scandalous painting of a lady,La Maja Desnuda, the naked Maja. The painting caused such a stir in society that he made a more appropriate second one, calledLa Maja Vestida, or the clothed Maja.” He spread his arms. “Ask Mr. Carter to paint a second painting, the clothed Star Maiden, and there you have it. Sir James will have hismore respectable painting, and Perry will keep his title and the original painting.”
“That’s actually a good idea,” Perry said.
“I don’t think Valentine will agree to paint me again,” Edith said. “My last encounter with him didn’t end well.”
“He’s a gambler.” Perry grinned. “I’m sure I can find a persuasive argument.”
Edith could never have imaginedshe would ever ask Valentine to pose for him again. Never say never. So here she was, once again in Valentine’s atelier, with a brooding Perry and a perplexed Valentine.
“… so this second Star Maiden would be more clothed,” she said, finishing explaining the situation to Valentine.
He cradled his chin, shifting his gaze from Perry to her. The stain of blue paint on the tip of his nose ruined his serious expression.
“No,” he said firmly. “First, my goddesses aren’tclothed. The whole point of painting them is to show how beautiful the human body is. And second, I don’t want a repeat of our last conversation. Thank you.”
“If anything,” Edith said, matching his annoyed tone, “you’ll have the opportunity to create another masterpiece that will be adored.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “I’m an artist. I have principles and morals. Inspiration can’t be commanded at will. The muse comes and goes as she pleases, and I?—”
“I’ll give you ten thousand pounds,” Perry said in a bored tone.
Edith gasped as Valentine couldn’t grab his paintbrushes fast enough.
Her second time posing was very different. For starters, she was dressed in a beautiful silver tunic in an ancient Greek style that covered her from chin to ankle, and secondly, Perry was present, sitting in a corner of the atelier and watching Valentine’s every move like a bloodhound.
Valentine smiled at her, holding his paintbrush. She suspected the ten thousand pounds had something to do with his sudden happiness.
“My beautiful Edith?—”
“She isn’t yours,” Perry grumbled from his corner.
