Page 81 of Things We Do for Love and Science
“Let’s do it together then.” He turned to leave. “I’ll get the scissors from the kitchen.”
She couldn’t wait but tore at the bubble wrap with her fingernails.
Her brother returned, brandishing the scissors. “Hey, let me.”
She moved to one side while he methodically finished the job she had started.
“Good God.” He stared at the portrait now freed from its packaging and pressed a hand to his mouth.
It was as magnificent as she remembered and clearly the work of a painter in love with his model.
“Don’t say anything.” Silent tears rolled down her face. “I can see it for myself.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Gabriel should be proud; he’d achieved a lot, with Liam and Jem’s help. The banker would have no reason to complain. Renwood Hall was restored to its old glory, more or less on budget. Bookings for weddings were already flooding in even though the website had only gone live a week ago.
But instead of being jubilant, Gabriel was dejected and empty. By rights, he should be celebrating with Delia now. After all, she’d been deeply enmeshed in the project. Maybe he was exhausted and not relishing the fact he’d have to serve some made-up divorce story to Brady-Greene in a moment.
When the banker’s car roared up the gravel driveway, Gabriel made his way downstairs to welcome him in.
“Your ancestral home is a gem, Lord Renwood. Congratulations on achieving the near impossible.” Alistair Brady-Greene beamed, and Gabriel forced a responding smile.
He’d given the bank manager the grand tour of the big house, explaining the completed renovation works, before presenting him with the financial projections for the next two years in his office.
“Thank you for your support, Mr. Brady-Greene,” Gabriel said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without your willingness to take a chance on me.”
The older man puffed out is chest. “I’m delighted to have been able to do my part in the effort to keep this magnificent building in the family.”
Now was the time to bring it up. Before Brady-Greene mentioned his supposed church wedding to Delia in the newly restored chapel. Gabriel cleared his throat and straightened in his chair. “I’m...ah...my business affairs are indeed improving, but I’m afraid my personal life has undergone a significant upheaval.”
The banker watched him with concern, and guilt washed over Gabriel. To hell with it, he wouldn’t lie to him again, whatever the consequences. He’d beg him to keep John Winter out of it once he was done. He owed it to Vanessa too. It was important to her to one day become the first, the only, seventh Countess of Renwood.
“You may have noticed I’m not wearing my wedding ring, and Delia’s portrait is missing from the gallery.” He took a deep breath and averted his gaze from Brady-Greene’s somber expression. “The truth is, we were never married. We lied, I asked her to, in order to save Renwood Hall, because I was convinced you’d never give me the loan otherwise.”
The older man remained silent for a few moments. When he spoke again his voice was not angry, merely sad. “But my wife and I, we witnessed how much you two adored one another. Impossible to believe...”
