His fierce approval of her brought a lump of emotion to her throat.
“Your admiration is misplaced,” she said. “I feel anything but brave. I’m scared all the time and a coward at heart. ThePrincess Aliceincident proved that.”
“You’re too harsh on yourself.”
Sir James, the queen’s physician, walked over to them, breaking the moment.
“Miss Winkworth.” The short physician stroked his goatee and gave her a wide smile. “Lord Ravenscroft. Apologies for the intrusion.”
Perry gave a nod, clenching his jaw.
“Sir.” She bowed her head.
“May I talk to you for a moment, miss?” He turned towards Perry. “Would you mind terribly, Ravenscroft? I have an urgent matter to discuss with Miss Winkworth.”
“By all means. I don’t mind at all.” It sounded anything but.
“I’ll see you later,” she said to him.
The gentleman ushered her to a quiet corner, glancing around in a furtive manner. “I’m deeply sorry to have interrupted your conversation with Lord Ravenscroft, but I couldn’t contain my excitement.”
She smiled, thinking about a polite way to tell him she didn’t have the foggiest idea what he wanted from her. “About what, sir?”
He gazed around. “As the queen’s physician, it’d be better if my interests didn’t become common knowledge.”
“Sir?”
He fiddled with his gloved hands. “See, art is my passion.” He stared at her as if she were supposed to understand whatever he wanted to say from that simple statement.
“That’s admirable. Why would you keep that interest a secret, sir?”
He inched closer. “Mr. Valentine Carter is my most favourite painter.”
Oh, blazes. She had a hunch about where the conversation was going.
“I absolutely adore him. I have almost all his paintings in my house.” His speech became passionate. “I spare no expense when it comes to acquiring one of Mr. Carter’s masterpieces. You likely know that Mr. Carter’s paintings, well, let’s say that some of them are considered quite scandalous. That’s why he doesn’t show all his paintings to everyone. Sometimes he asks the National Gallery to display his most provocative works in a secondary wing with restricted entrance.”
Yes, Edith knew something about that. She searched the room for someone she might use as an excuse to leave. Perry stared at them from the other side of the room as if he wanted to stride to them and take her away.
“To be brief,” Sir James continued, “I acquired some paintings in a special series on Greek goddesses. They’re, ahem, rather explicit paintings. They sold like hot cakes the very same day they were put on display.”
“Really?” She feigned surprise.
“I managed to buy a few of them, but I couldn’t buy them all, which is frustrating. I love to have a full set of everything. I have…” He counted on his fingers. “Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena, but to come to my point.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “I heard that you posed for a stunning painting, the Star Maiden.”
Edith wanted to crush her glass of champagne. “Who told you that?”
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you the name.”
Her face flamed. Her entire body did. “Well, I’m sorry to say that whoever gave you that information is seriously misinformed because I have never, ever posed for any paintings. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“I won’t judge you, miss.” Sir James blocked her path. “It’s all about art. So did you pose for it? Do you know who bought it? How big is it? The clerk at the gallery refused to give me thename or any other information. I’m confused. Does this painting even exist?”
The suggestion of bribing the clerk at the gallery was swiftly suppressed.
“The Star Maiden has become a myth,” he said. “No one seems to know if it’s real or not. I even talked to Mr. Carter himself, and he didn’t confirm or deny any rumours. So frustrating! Oh, but I understand the game Mr. Carter is playing. By acting all mysterious and shedding rumours about his paintings, he’s increasing their value. The higher the interest, the higher the price.”
Actually, she thought Valentine didn’t want to stir more trouble than he’d already done by blabbering about the darn painting.
