Page 72 of Beyond Her Manner
“If it’s any consolation, you made the best assistant.” Receiving a scowl from her companion, Viola added, “Okay, okay. Top up?”
“No, thank you. It’s been a long day, and I need a clear head for tomorrow. Bridget and I have ball business to attend to; it’s not far off.”
“Anything I can help with?” Viola asked. “I must admit to feeling a little guilty leaving it all to you.”
“It’s what I do best. Enjoy the evening.”
“I’m sure I will.”
Even though she trusted Gillian’s abilities, she couldn’t help feeling nervous about what awaited her at the manor ball. Underlying it there was excitement, though, mainly at spending more time with Gillian.
Draining her glass, Gillian stood. “I should head off.”
“Thanks again,” Viola called.
Gillian flashed her a smile, and with that she was gone from the room, leaving a slightly empty feeling inside Viola that she was beginning to experience every time she left.
CHAPTER 16
Viola pushed her lips together, compressing her red lipstick. It was the final touch to her appearance, complementing her off-the-shoulder, crimson, satin gown. It was the end of a busy day setting up the great hall for the evening’s ball and the beginning of what was likely to be a long evening.
Gillian had left an hour ago to get ready, leaving the place in a still silence that deepened with every passing minute. Watching Gillian in her element filled her with pride and a little of something else; competence was sexy, after all.
Gillian had spent the whole day directing people from behind her clipboard, making minute changes that always worked no matter how pedantic they might have appeared. Unsuspecting men were barked at as to the correct placement of the casino tables they were delivering, and with the authority Gillian carried in her tone, no one dared to disagree with or question her. She knew exactly what she was doing and excelled at it. With Bridget running around as her right-hand woman, they made a good team in bringing everything together.
Nerves tingled through Viola’s extremities, not just for Gillian and the significance of the evening, but for somethingdeeper. She didn’t doubt everything would go smoothly; she knew it would. It was the thought of spending the entire evening with Gillian which made her stomach flutter.
Her phone vibrated, the nameArteappearing on the screen.
“Hi, Arte,” she said, answering it. “How are you?”
“Great thanks. It was good to see you the other day.”
“Yes, it’s been too long.”
“Look, this is a bit of an odd one.” Arte paused for a moment before continuing. “I noticed you inCountry Life; I’ve got a copy. You looked most impressive.”
“Oh, ignore all that; it was so embarrassing. Everything in the photos practically belongs to Gillian.”
“Including the artwork above the fireplace?” Arte questioned quickly with concern in her tone.
“No. Why?”
“I suspect it could be a lost painting, and it could be valuable. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.”
“Lost? What does that mean?” Viola asked, concerned she was about to get a knock at the door from the authorities.
“That it’s slipped off the radar, the art world has lost track of it. I’m not saying it’s stolen or anything,” Arte reassured her. “Charlotte called a contact of hers at the Courtauld Institute in London. They want you to take it over to them to look at it properly. It’s quite hard to tell from a photograph. It looks like it could do with a clean.”
“Yes, it’s been in the attic at Kingsford along with some others.”
“I’ll send you the details for Charlotte’s contact if that’s okay. You should follow this up. Regardless of the value, finding a lost painting has significant importance in the art world.”
“Yes, of course,” Viola assured her, similarly intrigued to learn more about its origin.
“And if it does turn out to be something, please let me know. Immediately.”
“Of course. What do you think it could be?”
