Page 28 of The Viscount's Forgery
“Why would it be so dreadful a thing if youwereto be so?” Miss Trentworth asked, as Eugenia looked away, unable to answer. “I know that you have been solely fixed upon the paintings, but if it has drawn you two together, then is that so dreadful a thing?”
Eugenia wanted to deny it all, only to realize that she had no reason to be so upset by the suggestion of love or affection. Why did she feel herself so, then? Why was there such upset? Such confusion within her heart? Perhaps it was because she had never let herself even think of such a thing! Mayhap it was because she did not want to let herself think on it, having always perhaps believed that such a thing was not possible for her.
“He is a good-hearted gentleman, is he not? I know that he was deeply insulting, but to have him apologize so – ”
“He did explain himself, and I understood his reasons for behaving as he did,” Eugenia interrupted, in a quiet voice. “I am… I suppose I am a little confused as to what I feel and, if I am truthful, I am a trifle fearful also.”
“Fearful?”
Eugenia nodded. “If it is true that I feel something, then if he does not return it, I shall be left with nothing more than brokenness and pain.”
“And if he returns it, you shall have such a happiness, it is unlike anything you have ever known.”
Wincing, Eugenia began to walk again. “That is something of a risk, is it not?”
“It is but one that I think is worth it,” her friend said, joining her in her walk again. “Now, tell me about these paintings so that I do not go on about Lord Suffolk.”
Relieved that the subject at hand was to be changed, Eugenia began to speak eagerly. “I found four that were forged. All different artists and allexcellentcopies, I must say. Each one, however, has something within it that makes it clear it is not the original.”
“Ah.” Miss Trentworth gestured to the small group of ladies who were just ahead of them. “And now we must all think on what to do.”
Glad to see her friends, Eugenia and Miss Trentworth greeted them all warmly, though each one of them soon turned their full attention towards Eugenia, letting her see their interest in knowing what was now to happen as regards the paintings.
“I have found four,” Eugenia said, just as she had done to Miss Trentworth. “I believe that someone is doing such a thing deliberately, for it seems very strange to me that Lord Suffolk would havefourpaintings that were copied.”
“Yes, I would agree,” Lady Amelia said as the others nodded. “Then, might we make our way around the establishments we know that would sell artwork on behalf of an artist?”
Eugenia’s lips twisted as she considered. “I suppose we could, yes,” she said slowly, “but it might take some time and could lead us down many a twisted path.”
Her friends thought for a few more moments as the park began to fill with more of theton.
“Might Lord Suffolk have any inkling as to who would have done such a thing?” Miss Trentworth asked, as Eugenia shook her head no. “He cannot think, then?”
“No, he cannot. It is a struggle for him even to identify the fact that one of his friends would have done such a thing! But I think it only reasonable to suggest that someone near to him has been involved in this. It does not seem plausible otherwise.”
Again, the bluestockings all thought hard, discussing some thoughts and ideas as it came to them. None, however, led to an agreeable conclusion on what they might do next, for how were they to find the guilty party when Lord Suffolk could not even think as to who it might be?
And then, an idea came streaking into Eugenia’s mind. “I have it.”
The others looked back at her.
“It will require Lord Suffolk’s agreement,” Eugenia said, hastily, “but I am sure he will consent.” Taking another few seconds to make certain her plan would work, she nodded to herself. “He will make to purchase another painting.”
Lady Rosalyn’s eyes widened in understanding. “And he will tell thetonof it!”
“No, not theton,” Eugenia stated, “but only his close friends, those he would go to speak with at any society event. He will say, then, that it is to be brought to his townhouse on a specific date and, if we are about, we will be able to see precisely what happens.”
Lady Isobella began to smile. “We shall spy out the truth, then?”
“I think we must,” Eugenia said, with a small shrug of her shoulders. “We must not only be in whichever establishment is to sell the painting but watch it as it departs from there and isbrought to Lord Suffolk’s townhouse. If we see nothing, then he might put a servant or two in the hallway for the night, able to see who – if anyone – finds their way into the house.”
“I think it will be exchanged on the way,” Miss Trentworth said astutely, as Eugenia nodded in agreement. “To have it taken from his house would be much too difficult.”
“He will need to choose a piece very quickly indeed,” Lady Isobella added. “And must tell people very soon.”
“And there must be enough time for the painting to be forged,” Eugenia said slowly, speaking half to herself. “Mayhap that is why some of the paintings are the original works. Mayhap there was not enough time for them to be copied.”
“It is a good thought!” Lady Amelia tipped her head. “And their motivation for doing such a thing?”
