“Do you have any friends who could afford to give you this kind of money as a personal loan?”
“Possibly.” Ramsay frowned. “I’d really rather not do that to a friend. Though if I become desperate enough, I might try.”
Broc nodded acceptance. “You said there would be several things you’d like me to do for you in London. What are the others?”
Ramsay grinned. “How do you feel about paintings and drawings?”
Chapter 23
“Paintings and drawings,” Broc repeated, bemused. “I think of art as something one hangs on the walls and then forgets about. If you need an expert, I’m not your man.”
“Luckily, your ignorance won’t matter,” Ramsay assured him. “Richard Maxwell has a London gallery that specializes in high-quality art. We’ve been friends ever since university. I’d like you to take some of Signy’s pictures in to see if he’ll carry them in the gallery. I think they’re good enough.”
Broc looked interested. “Didn’t she do the watercolors of the island that hang in the front hall of Skellig House? I saw them when I called after your grandfather’s death. They were lovely. Very evocative of Thorsay. She definitely has talent, though I don’t know if her work will be to the taste of Londoners. Do you want me to give some of her work to Maxwell to sell?”
“No, I’m sending the pictures without Signy’s knowledge. I want to find out if Richard is willing to sell them. If he is, I’ll tell her of the opportunity. I believe that knowing her work is valued would please her greatly. If he’s not interested, she doesn’t need to know.”
“Very well. That much art I should be able to manage,” Broc said. “Do you have any other commissions for me while I’m in London?”
“Yes, though it may be impossible,” Ramsay warned. “Signy really wants to study with an artist who can teach her more about painting. It may be some time before she can travel to London to do that, so I thought I’d bring an artist here for a couple of months of tutoring.”
Broc stared. “Any particular artist, or should I just run an advertisement to find a starving artist desperate enough to come to the end of the world?”
Ramsay grinned. “An interesting idea, but there’s a particular artist, Sophie Macleod, whose work Signy loves. I’ve seen Miss Macleod’s paintings at Richard’s gallery, and she’s very good at capturing dramatic weather and the spirit of wild empty places. I’ll pay to have her as a guest at Skellig House if she’s willing to do some teaching. I thought it might help if you showed her pieces of Signy’s work. If she agrees to come, you can escort her back to Thorsay.”
“If Miss Macleod likes wild weather, she may leap at the opportunity to come to Thorsay.” Broc gave Ramsay a long, level look. “This is well beyond rewarding Signy for what she did for your grandfather. Are you in love with her?”
Ramsay had a sudden desire to hide from that question. Instead he drew a deep breath and replied, “I rather think I am.”
“Does she return your feelings?”
Ramsay grimaced. “She’s somewhat wary, but I’m making progress.”
Broc’s smile was crooked. “Time to give up my dreams of courting her once I’m more sure of my future.”
Ramsay tensed. “Are you in love with her?”
“No, but I’ve always been especially fond of her, ever since we played together as children. Remember the way she and Kendra fenced with each other when you were giving fencing lessons? The two of them were fierce little devils.” He paused. “I haven’t thought of Kendra in years. Do you know where she is and what she’s doing these days?”
“She lives in England and has two children. Before her second marriage, she lived at Thorsay House.” Ramsay grinned. “And she’s still fencing. I saw her briefly when I came through London this last time.”
“Perhaps I can call on her when I’m in the city. She’s my cousin as well as yours.”
“Thorsay isn’t very large. Between the two of us, we’re surely related to half the people in the islands.” Ramsay’s brow furrowed. “You were thinking seriously about courting Signy?”
Broc shrugged. “When I was on my way back home, I wondered if she was married. If not, I definitely wanted to renew our acquaintance to see what might happen, but so many years have passed that we’d be almost strangers. She’s still a grand girl, though. Beautiful, intelligent, admirable.”
“All true. And don’t forget independent. She’ll make her own choices, and marriage may not be one of them.”
Feeling he’d said too much, Ramsay began packing the bottles in the basket. Finding a scrap of clapshot, he tossed it toward the water and several gulls materialized instantly.
“Time to go before we’re swarmed on all sides by gulls.” Broc rose. “When do you want me to leave, and do you have any special means of transportation in mind? It’s a long way to London.”
“Two or three days from now, if you can get away that soon. I own several small sailing vessels, so I’ll find one that is available and can take you all the way to London and then wait for your return. You can stay at Thorsay House of course.”
Ramsay realized that if his grandfather had mortgaged all his properties to Roald, that would likely include Thorsay House. It had long since been established as a place for traveling Thorsayians to stay, but Roald might turn it into a private residence for himself and his family.
Pushing the thought aside, Ramsay stood and lifted the basket. “I have a long list of things to do this afternoon.” He offered his hand. “I’m glad we met up today. Thanks for listening, and for being willing to take on London on my behalf.”
