Page 19 of Things We Do for Love and Science
She fought a blush but was losing the struggle. “No, thanks to your ancestor who thought nothing of burying two-hundred-and-fifty grand with his wife.”
They’d reached the green drawing room. He walked over to the mantelpiece, took a box of midnight-blue velvet off the mantelpiece, and snapped it open. Emmerentia’s necklace sparkled and shone on its bed of dark velvet, even more impressive than on the day they found it.
“Before this goes to the auction house, I want to paint it.” He brushed his fingers over the gems. There’s some family history attached to it.”
“Ah.”
“What I wanted to ask is, would you mind, would it be very distasteful to you to wear this for the portrait?”
A soft warmth pooled in her stomach. He was so conscientious, such a worrier. “Not at all. It’s just stones and metal.”
“Edwin adored his wife, according to family lore. He and Emmy only had sons, and I suspect he didn’t want any other woman to wear it. Ever. We’re going to have to disregard his wishes.”
“Ha. I guess he won’t care, and neither will she. They’re way beyond such earthly concerns, I’d imagine.”
He laughed. “I like your dispassionate view of things.”
“Do you mind putting it on me once I’ve changed into the dress? I’m a bit nervous about handling the equivalent of a sizeable deposit on a house.”
“Sure, but the necklace is in pretty good nick. Not much wear and tear in a casket.”
He left her to change, and when she called him back into the room, he approached her, holding the jewels.
“Now, brace yourself, it’s cold.” He closed the clasp at the nape of her neck, took a step back and gazed at her.
Under his scrutiny her heartrate accelerated. He could be intense at times. Must be the artist in him.
“The necklace is going to perfect the picture.” He moved toward the easel, picked up a brush and got to work.
She, cheerful and serene, enjoyed herself even though it continued to be awkward to stand still for such an extended period. Part of the enjoyment was that she had no extra DNA requests from John. Nothing to ask for, simply her time to give. She smiled until she became aware that Gabriel was looking at her intently.
She glanced at him, and he started. “Sorry, that expression, it’s great, exactly what I was hoping to capture.”
She softened again, hoping it wouldn’t take too long to commit her facial expression to canvas.
“Tea break?” he asked, mere moments before the muscles in her cheek turned to stone.
“Oh, God, yes please.”
He wrinkled his brow. “Am I working you too hard?”
“Not at all, it’s quite relaxing in a way,” she said, not mentioning the muscle pain.
“Glad to hear it. I’ll get the tea, and I baked us a cake. I’d say we’re finished with the painting for the day since the light outside is so dull.”
“Cake. Wow, what’s the occasion?”
“Other than the discovery of the necklace? Well, we could also celebrate that we’re halfway through our sessions. I’m getting on famously, and you’ll be free before you know it.”
“I’ll miss our sittings.”
“Really?” His eyes lit up. “I was afraid I was torturing you.”
“And I sent you into the family vault. Twice.”
“If it wasn’t for you and your greed for Renwood DNA, we would never have found the necklace. Now, I have a realistic chance of saving this place.”
She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “True, and this makes me feelverygood.”
