She spotted the painting, and her words died in her mouth.
“Cat got your tongue, baroness?” Jack said.
“Of course not. It is just a surprise. I did not know you’d found the Allegretto painting.” She stared at the portrait, unable to drag her eyes away.
“Yes, the mysterious portrait you and everyone else seem to have an inordinate amount of interest in,” Jack added.
“Did Stefano not inform you of my offer? I will pay you double whatever that American upstart has offered.”
The baroness moved closer to the painting, and Gaby couldn’t help but notice how her eyes were mesmerized by it.
“I thank you for your offer, but I have made other arrangements for the painting,” Jack replied with a calm smile.
“What sort of arrangements?” the baroness asked in a sharp tone.
“That is none of your concern,baroness,” Iris said, entering the library with Constance by her side. “Or should I call you Contessa Catarina di Farnese?”
Gaby’s breath caught at how beautiful Iris looked. She had changed into a lilac-colored gown that appeared identical to the one she wore in the portrait. Her glorious red hair cascaded about her shoulders, and her glittery green eyes showed serenity and strength. She glowed with an inner radiance that matched the painting. It was as if she and the painting fed off each other’s energy.
“You! It is you!” the baroness sputtered. “What madness is this?”
“The only madness here is you, who have been conniving to take possession of Allegretto’s masterpiece. Your last attempt at cementing your power.”
“How dare you!” the contessa said. “You’re nothing but a cheap French whore and a Jewess. Marco was mine until you waltzed into his life and lured him away.”
“Don’t you dare speak his name,” Iris said in a calm but deadly voice. “You are responsible for destroying numerous lives, including the deaths of Albert Maxwell and his brother Reginald.”
Cynthia’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh my God, Papa and Uncle Bertie?”
“You can prove none of your wild accusations,” the baroness said.
“Oui, I think we can,” Iris replied. “With a simple exhumation of the bodies, we will find that both the baron and his brother died of poisoning. That is how your minion, the Nazi time traveler, operated. He not only murdered my parents and tried to kill me, but he defiled and murdered countless women in London and Paris. He was a serial killer, and Marco’s elimination of him was a gift to mankind. You have tormented us long enough, Caterina.” Iris smiled at Emily, Colin, Jenee, Xavier, Gabriella, and Constance. “These good people are my witnesses to your treachery; they know who you are and what you’ve done. Your evil ends here.”
*
A blinding beamof light shot from the painting, and Gaby moved closer to Jack. He tightened his arm around her waist and could feel her entire body tremble. He knew she must be afraid that the painting portal might drag her away.
“Don’t worry, my beauty,” he whispered in her ear. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She looked up, and her eyes met his. “I love you, Jack. No matter what happens, I will love you forever.”
“I love you too, sweet Gaby. More than anything in this world, and I will fight anyone and anything to save you and keep you here. You know that, don’t you?”
“I do, Jack. I do.”
“But if you decide to go home—if you want to go back to your family—I will go with you.”
“What?” Gaby seemed shaken by his admission.
“I mean it. I love you too much to lose you. Nothing else matters more than you.” Jack had been so intent on regaining his title and lands that he hadn’t stopped to think about what Gaby was giving up in staying with him. “Remember what you told me about your vision of Velia and Aranthur?”
“Yes.”
“Fate has given us another chance. And I don’t mean to waste it. I would go to the ends of the earth for you. So, if it means traveling to the future, I’ll do it.”
“Oh, Jack. I love you so much for saying that.” Tears flowed from her eyes. “I will miss my family with all my heart and soul, but you are my home. And I want to make my life with you here.”
“I love you, Gabriella D’Angelo.”
