Page 12 of The Viscount’s Forgery (Bluestocking Book Club #4)

“And then, no doubt, you came upon some painting or other that caught your attention and you forgot your upset.”

In answer to Lady Amelia’s question, Eugenia offered her a rueful smile. “I might have done, yes.”

“And it is the painting that interests you?” Lady Amelia asked, as Eugenia nodded. “That is what took place last evening, then? You looked at a painting or two, and that was the end of things?”

“No, not in the least. Yes, I did look at the paintings, but I did not then end up quitting the house thereafter,” Eugenia said, as every eye fell to her, each of her friends watching her carefully.

“It was one of the paintings that caught my attention.” Her lips pressed together as she clasped her hands in her lap, the teacup now in front of her on the table.

“I think that one of them is a forgery.”

A gasp came from Lady Isobella as the others exclaimed aloud.

“It was very foolish of me to do what I did next,” Eugenia told them, her face growing hot. “I went directly to Lord Suffolk, asked to speak with him, and then took him to the painting in question and, rather bluntly, told him that it was a forgery.”

Lady Amelia and Lady Isobella exchanged a glance, though the slight twist on Miss Trentworth’s lips told her that she found it a trifle amusing.

“What did he say?” Lady Rosalyn asked, as Eugenia reached for her tea again. “Was he glad that you had discovered it?”

Eugenia shook her head. “I do not think so,” she said, feeling a little small given how he had responded.

“He appeared shocked and then questioned how I would know such a thing. I was very honest and stated outright that I was a bluestocking with a particular interest in art and the like.” Her face heated as the other ladies smiled.

“Then I did not give him any time to respond to me, I am afraid, for I took my leave of him near enough immediately after and left him to the painting.”

“I can understand why you might have done such a thing,” Lady Amelia said, gently. “You need not be embarrassed, my friend.”

“No, of course you do not,” Lady Isobella said firmly.

“You were feeling a little upset and frustrated, and thus, you decided to speak clearly on the subject, and then you took your leave. It is quite understandable for you to be a little concerned about what his reaction might be to not only his painting but also your declaration of being a bluestocking!”

Eugenia, with a sense of relief in her heart, smiled at each of her friends. “You are all very encouraging, that much I can say.”

“Which is just as friends ought to be,” Miss Trentworth said, with a smile. “So, what are you going to do now? You will have to speak to him again, of course.”

Her heart beat quickly. “Do you think so?” She pressed her lips together for a moment.

“My father and mother have arranged a picnic for this afternoon for a few of their friends, though I have been able to invite Lady Isobella to attend with me.” Offering her friend a smile, she looked back at the others.

“I do not know if he will be in attendance, for I am not certain who all has been invited. But even if he is present, that does not mean that I shall have to speak with him again at length, does it?”

“Of course you shall!” Lady Rosalyn exclaimed, a smile on her face.

“You cannot simply tell a gentleman such a thing and then expect him not to wish to clarify further! Clearly, he has been entirely unaware that he has a forged painting on his wall, but at the very same time, it might be that he does not particularly care. There will be many of the ton who have such works on their walls without having the slightest awareness that they are not genuine. It might be that he does not mind at all, in which case such a conversation need not concern you.”

“Though, from what I know of Lord Suffolk, I would think that he would very much mind,” Lady Amelia said, though this garnered her a few sharp looks from the others, making her eyes flare. “Forgive me, I do not mean to suggest that – ”

“It is quite all right,” Eugenia interrupted, gently.

“I think you are right, Amelia. Lord Suffolk is a gentleman known for his wealth, and from what I heard of the conversation between him and Lord Bothwell, it seems that he does like to show off what he has on occasion. That is a gentleman’s prerogative, of course, but yes, I would quite agree that he will find it…

displeasing to have a forgery in amongst his things. ”

Lady Isobella leaned forward in her chair, taking hold of Eugenia’s full attention. “In which case, you will have to make certain that you do speak with him.”

“And if you have already told him that you are a bluestocking, then you need not worry about that,” Miss Trentworth added, with a smile of encouragement. “Why do you not offer your assistance? I am sure that he would be grateful for it.”

Eugenia’s eyes widened, her chest tightening. “Assistance?”

“Yes, of course you should!” Lady Rosalyn agreed, an excitement in her voice. “You must offer to assist him in discovering the truth about the forgery – who did it and where the real painting is.” She sat up straight, her eyes glowing. “You have enough knowledge to assist with that.”

Eugenia’s heart quickened all the more. “I do not know if he would even think about accepting such a thing.”

“We will all go with you,” Lady Isobella suggested, as her friends nodded fervently. “Come now, Eugenia! You are wise and knowledgeable, and your heart is good. Why not take this chance to use what you have learned to assist Lord Suffolk?”

“Or at the very least, offer to help him,” Lady Amelia put in. “We will not force you, of course, but we should like to encourage you.”

Considering all of this, Eugenia took a few moments to think about what she wanted and what she had the courage to do.

The conversation with Lord Suffolk had not ended well the previous evening, though that had been entirely her own doing, given the way she had stalked from him.

It would, she supposed, be a chance for her to use all that she had learned, and that was a reward she could not help but grasp at.

Lifting her gaze, she looked at each of her friends in turn, feeling their solidarity and support emanating from them.

“Then if you will be with me and encourage me, as you have all done thus far, then yes, I will speak with him again,” she said, a little breathlessly.

“Thank you all for your kind words. I must hope that he will say yes, for the truth is, there is a niggle of curiosity in my heart over the painting!”

Her friends beamed back at her, filling Eugenia’s heart with new hope.

“I am sure he will agree,” Lady Isobella said, speaking with more confidence than Eugenia had. “And then, mayhap, we shall have another mystery to proceed with – and what fun that shall be!”