Page 30 of The Viscount's Forgery
“Of course! The paintings, you mean?”
She nodded. “My friends and I have discussed the matter. We think it best that you do as you have done before.”
A small frown broke across his forehead. “What do you mean?”
“Purchase a painting,” she explained. “Have your man buy one on your behalf, though there must be time between the purchase and the delivery of the painting at your house.”
Beginning to understand, Nicholas nodded slowly. “So that whoever it is that has been stealing my paintings will have time to produce a copy.”
“Yes, precisely. You must also tell your friends and acquaintances that you are purchasing this piece, so that they know of it.” The color in her face grew. “I presume that you have done that before.”
A hint of embarrassment began to nudge its way into Nicholas’ heart. “Yes, I will admit to you that I have always told my friends what it is that I intend to purchase. I have always made something of a show of it.”
She smiled at him. “I understand.”
“I must admit,” Nicholas continued, his frown growing, “I begin to see how arrogant I have been at times, in making such ashow of my wealth.” He looked back into her eyes, the awareness in him that the lady before him was worth far more than any number of paintings, vases, ornaments, or trinkets. Lord Bothwell did not have as much wealth as Nicholas, but mayhap, he considered, what he had found with Miss Polly Sherwood was worth a good deal more than anything Nicholas possessed.
“All the same, it is not right that you should have forgeries instead of the real paintings,” Miss Sherwood said softly, her blue eyes gentle as her dark curls danced lightly in the breeze. “Do you wish to find out the truth, Lord Suffolk? If you do not, then I can end this matter at once and will not take it any further.”
“No, no, I should very much like to discover the truth,” Nicholas said quickly, surprised that one of the main reasons he spoke so urgently was because he did not want to be apart from Miss Sherwood, not yet. “Tell me your plans.”
The smile that lit up her eyes made his own heart warm. She was so beautiful, he considered, so wise and considerate and caring even when he was quite sure he did not deserve it. What he had said to her, that dreadful remark that had shattered their connection, had been forgiven, and she had set it aside as though it had never been said. That in itself spoke of her fine character.
“On the day that the painting is taken from the establishment you have purchased it from, my friends and I will keep careful watch of it, all along the route to your own townhouse.”
Nicholas’ heart turned over on itself. “So that you can see how it is taken?”
“Yes.” She smiled a little wryly. “Miss Trentworth states that she will go into whatever establishment it is, so that you can be assured of our eyes always being fixed upon it.”
“That is very good of her – of you all.”
“Then you are agreed?”
Thinking the plan a good one, Nicholas nodded. “Yes, I am. You are quite remarkable, Miss Sherwood, I must say.”
This made her eyes widen. “I beg your pardon?”
“You are remarkable,” he said again, quite plainly, wondering if the compliment had surprised her. “I find you extraordinary, Miss Sherwood, truly.”
Her expression of astonishment did not change, and Nicholas, taking a step closer to her, looked down into her eyes. “You are surprised at me saying so?”
“It is… it is not something I have heard before.”
That pronouncement made Nicholas’ heart drop to the floor, a heavy sadness sweeping over him. “You have never been told such a thing?”
Her eyes closed, and she shook her head. “My friends and I encourage each other, of course. But my family and my sister… they have never wanted me to share my knowledge or my love of learning with anyone. It has not been seen as beneficial, I suppose.” A rueful smile settled across her lips. “Society does not exactly take well to bluestockings.”
“No, it does not,” Nicholas admitted, “and my own opinion has never been particularly warm, not until I was finally in the company of a bluestocking, not until I was able to know her character, her determination, her kindness, and her good heart.”
Miss Sherwood’s face grew redder still, but her eyes did not pull from his, and the longer he looked into them, the more they filled with stars.
“That is why I say you are extraordinary,” he said, quieter now. “Because it is what I truly think. You have shown such remarkable skill in ascertaining which of my paintings are not genuine, and you have done so with both diligence and discretion. You have forgiven my wrongdoing without hesitation, shown me kindness and understanding when I spoke of the shame I feared, should thetondiscover it. In all of thesethings, Miss Sherwood, you have shown me just how exceptional you are. I am honored to know you.”
A tear glistened in her eyes, but the way her lips curved told him just how much his words had meant to her. She did not say anything more to him, only bobbing a quick curtsy and then stepping away, making her way back to her waiting friends. Nicholas could not take his eyes from her, watching her with every step she took and feeling a great thrill run down his spine when she turned her head to look back at him over her shoulder.
I do not want our connection to end.
The thought came to him with such strength, it wiped the smile from his face and instead made a dark shadow pass over his heart.
