After Edith changed the dirty bedsheet, she sat on a bench in the corridor, wondering how she could help Mrs. Richards. For now, she ought to talk to Perry. A flurry of dark-red velvet distracted her.
Marianne marched towards her, her lips pressing in a grim line. “Come with me for a walk.”
“Actually, I was?—”
“Now!” Marianne said before striding towards the exit.
Edith jolted. Marianne shouting an order was a first. In a hurry, she retrieved her coat from the anteroom and put it on.
Marianne and her maid waited for her outside the hospital. Since Marianne had become a viscountess, talking to her alone was impossible. Her lady’s maid followed her like a shadow, often glancing at Edith with a disapproving stare.
“Here I am,” Edith said.
“To the park where no one can hear us.” Marianne headed to the small park in front of the hospital with the determination of a general going to battle.
“What is it?” Edith asked once they stepped into the park.
Marianne turned to her maid. “I need a moment alone with my sister.” After the maid moved away, Marianne said, “I really don’t know what you were thinking.” She sounded like their mother.
Edith was at a loss. There were many things she’d done without thinking. She was spoiled for choice. “What do you mean?”
“I saw it.”
“Saw what? What are you talking about?”
“The painting.”
A moment of utter shock caught Edith. The whole world seemed to have gone silent and still. Aside from a distant buzzing in her ears, she didn’t hear anything. What Marianne said couldn’t be possible.
“I…”
“I knew it.” Marianne took a few deep breaths, but she didn’t look calmer. “It’s you in that painting. At first I thought, I hopedI was mistaken, but your reaction dispels any doubts. Goodness, Edith. What were you thinking?”
Panic left a pungent taste in her mouth. That was it, the moment when all the lies she’d spun for years came crashing down on her.
“It’s not…where did you see it?”
“The National Gallery, by chance. I was curious to see the paintings in the restricted section, thinking they were about protestors or other political matters. Never mind. The point is that there were many similar paintings, all by Mr. Carter, andyoursstood out. The Star Maiden.”
Edith’s pulse slammed in her veins. “Mr. Carter said he wouldn’t sell it, wouldn’t show it to anyone. He promised.”
“Well, he lied. But there’s more. After I saw the painting, I left the gallery to talk to Thomas. I wanted to buy the painting before someone else did. But when I returned, it was gone.”
“Heavens.” So much for overcoming her fears. So much for starting over. She’d made a mess, and no, she couldn't blame Valentine or Daphne. She didn’t need help to destroy her life. “What can I do? Marianne, I swear. I had no intention of putting you in trouble.”
“You always say that, don’t you?” Marianne pointed a finger at her. “You do whatever you want without thinking of the consequences.”
“I was told the painting wasn’t to be exposed.”
Marianne ignored her. “We must find out who bought it. Do you realise what will happen if people recognise you? I might be mistaken for you, for goodness’ sake. Thomas would be furious. Why did you do it?”
“It was because…” The reasons she’d agreed to pose seemed rather shallow now.
“You silly girl.” Tears glistened in Marianne’s eyes. “Mother is worried about you. She told me you’ve lost appetite, and somedays you don’t leave the bed. Father barely talks to you. And all this for what? Your personal enjoyment.”
Edith lowered her gaze. Dozens of thoughts twirled in her mind. None of them pleasant. For someone who chased only enjoyment, she wasn’t happy at all.
“The situation is serious.” Marianne took Edith’s hand. “Your behaviour reflects badly on all of us. I knew that sooner or later, you’d start a scandal.”
