The next morning, Broc visited Richard Maxwell’s gallery just off Bond Street. It was spacious and elegant and filled with an interesting assortment of objects and paintings. Since Maxwell was busy with another customer, Broc set the leather satchel of Signy’s artwork on the gallery owner’s desk. Then he browsed through the gallery, waiting for Maxwell to be free.
As he moved from piece to piece he noticed that many had classical themes, and scantily clad ladies in revealing draperies seemed very popular, but he was drawn to four paintings hung under the general title of “The Gathering Storm.” The series began with a sunny mountain scene, then progressed through darkly ominous clouds, shattering winds, and lightning strikes, before the return of pale sunshine revealed flattened flowers and broken tree limbs. He was not surprised to see the signature “S. Macleod” in the corners of the paintings. An artist who excelled at painting weather. Just right for Signy.
A smooth voice said at his elbow, “They’re striking paintings, aren’t they?”
“Yes, they remind me of my home.” Broc turned to see a well-dressed and highly polished gentleman who looked politely helpful. “Thorsay. I understand you’re also Thorsayian?”
Maxwell’s polished surface was replaced by a wide smile and Thorsayian informality. “Indeed I am.” He offered a hand and switched to the Thorsayian Norn dialect. “I’m of Eastray. Which island are you from?”
“Mainland.” Broc shook the other man’s hand, also answering in Norn. “I’m Broc Mackenzie of Thorfield Farm, if you’ve ever heard of that.”
“I have. Are you a friend of Kai Ramsay, the laird in waiting?”
“Yes, but he’s now the laird. His grandfather died within a day of Kai’s return.”
“Not unexpected, but a loss. He was a grand old man.” Maxwell ushered Broc back to the desk and switched to speaking standard English. “Are you the one responsible for that intriguing satchel? Dare I hope that Ramsay has sent me the work of some promising new artist?”
“You may dare.” Broc also spoke English, which was a better language for business. “Actually, Ramsay has several favors to ask of you.”
When they reached the desk, Maxwell spared a moment to ring for tea and wave Broc to a chair.
A tea tray was soon delivered from the back of the shop; pouring and fixing the tea took several minutes while the two continued their small talk. Broc had sometimes thought that even if Britons didn’t really like tea, they’d keep serving it because it was socially so useful.
He took a sip. The tea was excellent. Nothing but the best for customers of the Maxwell Gallery.
At last, Maxwell turned to business. “Now, what can I do for you? And what favors has Ramsay to ask of me?”
“First of all, he has commissioned me to purchase some painting materials for a Thorsayian artist while I’m in London, since there isn’t usually much available in Clanwick. Ramsay thought you would know the best places.”
“No surprise there.” Maxwell glanced down the list, then pulled a pencil from his desk and wrote an address at the bottom. “You should be able to get everything you need here. The shop caters mostly to serious artists, so the quality is good and the prices reasonable.” He handed the list back. “What else?”
Broc opened the satchel he’d left on the desk. It contained several of Signy’s drawings and watercolor paintings, which were carefully packed flat between sheets of heavier paper.
He laid them out across the desk. “These were done by a local artist. Ramsay thought they might be good enough to interest you for your gallery, but he hasn’t told the artist that he sent the pictures with me, so they’re not for sale. He just wanted to get your opinion.”
Maxwell picked up the pictures one at a time, studying each carefully before moving on to the next. “The essence of Thorsay,” he murmured. “They make me think it’s time I paid a visit to the islands. It’s been a long time since I left.”
“Does that mean you’re willing to carry this artist’s work in the gallery?”
“Yes, I am, though I’d ask for exclusive rights at first. I like to have unique work when possible.” His gaze lingered on a picture of the harbor at Clanwick. It was lovely, and the delicate lines of the ships and seagulls made Broc think of the meal he’d shared with Kai at the harbor that had started him on this journey.
“Is this work by the same artist who ordered the art supplies? He’s very talented.”
“She. Her name is Signy Matheson, and she was an assistant to the old laird. I believe she’s hoping to have more time for painting now that he’s gone.”
“A worthy goal. I’ll write a letter to her, telling her that I admire her work and the terms for selling through my gallery.” Maxwell cocked his head to one side. “Any more requests?”
“One more. Signy saw a book of prints that included work by the artist Sophie Macleod and greatly admires her work. Ramsay had seen Miss Macleod’s paintings here and assumed you’d be able to get in touch with her.”
“Does Ramsay wish to buy a piece of Miss Macleod’s, perhaps as a gift for Miss Matheson?” The glint in Maxwell’s eyes suggested he realized that Ramsay’s interest in Signy was a great deal more than casual.
“I wouldn’t presume to judge which painting to buy! If horses were involved, I’d have a solid opinion, but not art,” Broc said firmly. “It’s a different kind of request. Signy would like to study more advanced techniques such as oil painting. Because there is no such teacher in Thorsay, Ramsay hoped that Miss Macleod might be persuaded to visit Thorsay for a few weeks and spend some time tutoring Miss Matheson. She could stay at Skellig House and would have ample time for painting her own work. Do you think she might be interested? Transportation as well as housing would be provided, plus an honorarium for her time.”
Bemused, Maxwell said, “I can’t predict whether Miss Macleod would be interested. Like most artists, she’s more than a little eccentric. But she might welcome the opportunity to get out of the city for a time.”
“Plus she seems to like painting weather, and Thorsay has plenty of that.” Both of the men laughed. Broc continued, “Would you be able to tell me how I might get in touch with her?”
“I won’t give you her address, but day after tomorrow she’ll come in during the morning to collect the money from the sale of one of her paintings. If you’re here, I’ll make the introductions and you can ask if she’d be interested in visiting Thorsay.”
