“I can’t imagine it, but I’d love to see it someday.” Verity nodded.
“But I digress,” continued Beatrice. “Once we’d settled ourselves—in a lovely little guest house, by the way—we wandered to the central marketplace. So charming...little shops, interesting antique emporiums, wonderful food, and...” she paused dramatically, “an art gallery.”
“May I say it?” Tabby grinned.
“Go ahead,” Verity waved her on.
“Aha.”
Beatrice burst out laughing, and for the next few moments the room rang with hilarity.
“Anyway,” she continued, wiping her eyes a little with a lace handkerchief, “I badgered Henry to come inside with me, to see if there was anything worthwhile. We were looking for the unique, the different, since we had portraits up the...er...well, enough to make the walls groan.”
“I’ll wager there weren’t any portraits inside that art gallery.” Tabby chuckled.
“You’d be right,” answered Beatrice. “What we found...well, let’s just say that there was an abundance of female life studies, most of them, we guessed, modelled by local young ladies.”
“Ahh,” said Verity, enjoying the tale. “So Henry bought some, did he?”
“Um, well, I cannot lie. Yes, he did buy two, but I approved them. They included lovely sari-like costumes, and massive flowers in appropriate places.” She sighed. “They really were quite nice and brightened up our stairwell perfectly.”
“Was that when you decided to sponsor him here in Arcvale?” Verity titled her head to one side.
“I wouldn’t saysponsor, exactly. As a matter of fact we were quite surprised when we got a letter from him quite some time after our holiday, saying he was coming to Arcvale and would be honoured should we be interested in helping him put his collection up for viewing. He said he had sold several pieces to customers in Norwald and Thornemar and had offers from several interested parties in Fourdain.”
Tabby looked surprised. “Thornemar? Really? That island doesn’t have the best reputation, I’ve heard...”
Verity sighed. “Naked women, Tabby. You don’t have to be a connoisseur to like those pictures.”
“You are absolutely correct. Both of you.” Beatrice nodded. “And I wouldn’t go there, either. But...Albermarle paintings became desirable, more than a few sold, and thus he achieved enough fame and notoriety to come here to Arcvale.”
“How did Henry feel about that?” Curious, now, although not exactly sure why, she probed a little.
“He was quite content. I have a feeling that sponsoring an artist made him a little out of the ordinary? Not that he’s ordinary, of course, but here in Arcvale, we knew nobody when we arrived. It took us time to develop friendships...” She touched Verity’s hand. “And we cherish them dearly.” She also took Tabby’s hand. “There is little so precious as people you can rely on, trust, and laugh with. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Tabby nodded. “And so say we all.”
“Well, now we know his history, I suppose we should discuss this showing of his.”
“Indeed yes.” Tabby glanced at her. “How do you think this pre-showing showing is going to be received?”
“Let me just say here that it was entirely his idea,” she rolled her eyes. “Henry and I had nothing whatsoever to do with it. We did try to dissuade him, but he’d fixed it in his mind that it wasthething to do.”
Verity nodded. “You know, he might be right. Something different? If he can convince attendees that his work is desirable, and will increase in value, I think he’s on to something.”
Beatrice sighed. “You know, I sometimes think it’s a very odd world we live in. And now is one of those times.”
*~~*~~*
While the ladies compared notes on the strangeness of the world, Lucas had returned home to Ashcombe Cottage. He wanted to do more research on the banking issue, and he also wanted some time to come to terms with the unexpectedly astounding detour his life had taken that day.
She was haunting him. When he closed his eyes, he could smell her fragrance. Puzzled, he wondered what it was that had thrust her into his life? She was strong-willed, determined, possessed of a brilliant mind, and attractive to look at. All those things weren’t restricted to just one woman, though. He’d had his share of beauties, determined women, and intelligent ones as well.
But never, he realised, had he found all of those attributes in one person. She’d completely annihilated all the vague suppositions he’d had about the woman he’d choose for himself. Now he’d met her. Loved her. And the next step was to make sure she didn’t get away from him.
“May I get you anything, sir?” Edgar hovered.
“I don’t know.” Lucas stared blankly at his tickerkin.
