Page 24 of The Viscount's Forgery
“The painting in question, the largest I could see in your hallway, was by John Constable, yes?”
His eyebrows lifted, and he nodded.
“He is often inclined towards painting landscapes, and his expression in his work has been somewhat… revolutionary.” Eugenia smiled, thinking of what she had seen of his work. “It is not what the gentry might be interested in, I suppose, which is why it caught my attention.”
“What do you mean by that?” It was Lady Rosalyn who spoke, rather than Lord Suffolk. “I know you have spoken of your interest in art many times, but I confess, I do not know what it is you mean.”
Hesitating, Eugenia looked to Lord Suffolk, aware that she was not answering his question, but he only nodded and put out one hand to her, clearly eager for her to continue.
“The reason I say he is somewhat revolutionary is because he paints things that are not of particular interest,” she said, as surprise lit up their expressions. “Scenes of daily life, such as a church in his local village, of the wildness that one might see out in the countryside.” She tilted her head. “I think them quite beautiful in their own way, but they are certainly not fashionable.”
“That is the one that I have,” Lord Suffolk said, slowly, rubbing one hand over his chin. “There is a stone wall – a ruin, I think – and then some fields and a sunset.”
Eugenia nodded. “Yes, but there is something else within that painting that should not be there. I say that because I knowthe original, and it does not contain the little house on the right-hand side of the painting.”
Lord Suffolk blinked. “Is that so?”
“Yes. It should not be there, I am certain of it, though I do not have any evidence to show you, unfortunately.”
“Oh, but I do not need evidence to trust your word,” he said emphatically, making her heart warm. “I believe you, Miss Sherwood, truly. What concerns me now is that there are more paintings that might well be forgeries also, and I do not know how that has happened or who has done it.”
Eugenia and Lady Rosalyn exchanged a glance, both wondering the same thing, Eugenia was sure. She pressed her lips together, looked down at her hands and then spoke.
“If you wish it, Lord Suffolk, then we might offer our assistance in that also.” Eugenia looked at Lady Rosalyn and then back at Lord Suffolk. “We have been able to help others and – ”
“I would be very grateful for your assistance,” Lord Suffolk interrupted, quickly apologizing for doing so, a slight redness touching his cheek. “Though I must admit, I am a little concerned that there are those in society who would hear of it and might... might shame me for it.”
“Oh, you need not worry about that,” Eugenia said, quickly, as Lady Rosalyn nodded fervently. “We have no intention of sharing this with anyone. We are bluestockings, Lord Suffolk, so it is not as though there are many in society who would be glad to know us as such, nor declare a friendship with us! There are some, of course.”
The red in Lord Suffolk’s face grew. “I gave you the impression that I was such a person,” he admitted, lowering his gaze. “However, I want to make it clear to you that it is not because you are bluestockings that I fear such a shame. It would not be because of your presence of the like, Iassureyou.”
“Oh?” Eugenia, a little relieved, looked back at him steadily. “Then why would you be so shamed?”
Lord Suffolk swallowed, ran one hand over his chin, and then, after a moment, began to explain. “I am a gentleman who has a great deal of wealth, Miss Sherwood. A Viscount yes, so certainly not with the highest title in all of London, but I know that my wealth is significantly more than some of those who do bear a higher title. I am not ashamed to state that I have always wanted to purchase the very best of things, that I have wanted to show off my wealth in some way.” The red in his face turned scarlet. “I say that but the truth is, I suppose I am a little ashamed, now that I come to think of it. It is a little arrogant, is it not?”
Eugenia did not answer, thinking to herself that this question did not require her input, though she had to admit she was a little surprised at his vulnerability and openness.
“Lord Bothwell and my other acquaintances have always laughed at me for such a thing,” Lord Suffolk continued, with a wry smile. “I have accepted it, of course, but there has always been a truth in their words that I have been unable to hide from. It isthatshame which I speak of.”
“Ah.” Lady Rosalyn sipped at her tea and then set it down again, looking directly at Lord Suffolk. “You fear that thetonwill hear of these forgeries.”
Lord Suffolk nodded. “Yes, precisely.”
“And is that why you asked me for help?” Eugenia wanted to know, reaching for her own tea. “Because you do not want to ask someone who might share what they have discovered with another, who would then go on to gossip about it all the same?”
In an instant, Lord Suffolk shook his head, looking back at her with determination in his gaze. “No, not in the least. I can see why you might think such a thing, Miss Sherwood, but the reason that I asked for your help – even after refusing it – wasbecause of your skill, intelligence, and knowledge. I have had many a person at this townhouse, and none of them have ever noticed something wrong. Even those whom I would trust on the subject have said nothing about my paintings! And yet you, upon your first visit, were able to ascertain that there was something amiss. That, Miss Sherwood, speaks highly of you.” He offered a smile which Eugenia accepted, seeing the way his eyes held hers, a steady determination in his gaze which told her all the more that he spoke nothing but the truth. “And that is the only reason that I asked you for your assistance.”
There came a quietness after this statement, a quietness which gave them all a moment to consider and to reflect on what had been shared. Eugenia set her tea cup down, sitting back in her seat and thinking to herself just how good Lord Suffolk had been in speaking as he had done. There had been an openness towards her, a heart filled with self-reflection, and an honesty which she valued greatly.
“Then, might I suggest we go to see your other paintings, Lord Suffolk?” she suggested, as Lord Suffolk nodded, rising to his feet in an instant as Lady Rosalyn too began to walk to the door. “I would be very interested to see which ones are, in my opinion, not as they have been purported to be!”
“Of course, I have already had them taken off the walls and laid out for your perusal,” he said, walking to the door. “Thank you for this, Miss Sherwood. I truly am very grateful.”
Lady Rosalyn had already walked out of the room, leaving Eugenia to pause as she looked up at Lord Suffolk. His eyes rounded just a little as she held his gaze, making her heart quicken although she could not explain why that might be. “You may be assured of my discretion in all of this, Lord Suffolk,” she said, speaking as calmly as she could despite the way her heart jumped about her chest. “There is nothing of this that will be said to anyone, aside from the other bluestockings.”
He put one hand to his heart and inclined his head just a little, making her heart jump up quickly. “I thank you, Miss Sherwood,” he said, very quietly indeed. Confused as to all that she was feeling, Eugenia turned and quickly followed after Lady Rosalyn, trying to take her thoughts away from the gentleman and instead, return them to the paintings that she was now to consider. That proved a little more difficult than she had expected, and with a set of her jaw, Eugenia kept her gaze away from Lord Suffolk entirely as he brought them to the hallway. She had only one thing to consider, and that was certainlynotLord Suffolk!
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