“Seriously, William, not because you paintedme, it’s because it was perfectly executed.”
“Thank you.”
“I am curious, though. What section did you use your fingers for?”
“Guess,” he said, then grinned.
“I should have known!” She chuckled and shook her head. “So, what did she say?”
Taking her hand, he led her to the park bench. “Before I get into it, I have several confessions to make, and I don’t want you to interrupt me.”
“I’d never do that.”
He gave her the fish eye because he knew her so well when she got excited about something. “Of course you will, but I have to say them fast or I may chicken out by the time I get to the last.”
Disquieted, she examined his face, but he continued to hold her hand, thumb rubbing hers back and forth in nervous anxiety.
“You’re the bravest man I know. You never chicken out.”
“That’s only where business and bike riding are concerned. When it comes to my emotions—and you—it’s different.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Okay, here it goes. Regarding Gleason, he’s going to make good on what happened and has apologized.”
“Why would he talk to ...”
“Wait,” he laughed. “Let me get it out.”
“Sorry.” She zipped her lip.
“Gleason was my mother’s protégé and friend. He’s also on the board of her art foundation. After I took the liberty of thoroughly examining La Tempera’s financial position and saw the amount of debt you were holding against the gallery’s limited cash flow and your salary, I asked him to do me a favor. Atmyrequest, he called you for the exhibition, and I committed to reimbursing him twenty of the thirty percent commission the gallery received.”
He searched her face for a reaction, but she said nothing in her shock. Half filled with gratitude, yet half affronted that he’d looked into her finances and had the audacity to have her backbehind her back, her mind whirled from his confession. She didn’t know if she should hug William or slap Fitzwilliam.
“The malicious telephone calls were from a male and a female. We can assume we know who was behind them, but it will be up to you to get to the bottom of it with your sister. I know it’s unlike you, but you need to use whatever leverage you have to get her to confess. You need to play dirty, Lizzy, and if you can’t, then I will. She needs to be held accountable for her actions.”
She nodded, having already started the process.
“Now, you can say something,” he instructed.
Letting out a deep breath, she said, “First off, I have a plan regarding Jane, and secondly, uhh, wow ... that’s quite a load to drop on a girl who only has one espresso working through her veins.”
“I understand if you’re angry with me.”
“I want to be because, in a way, it makes me feel like the exhibition wasn’t my achievement. Yet, I know you did it outof concern and wanted the gallery to receive the attention you think it deserves, as well as the financial reward to help me get out of debt.” She sighed. “I ... um ... you are a great many things, but even if you were still angry with me, the William I know and love would never seek to hurt me.”
“Exactly why I did it.”
“For that ... I’m truly grateful.” She squeezed his hands, then brought them to her lips. “Thank you for always cheering me and looking out for me and wanting to take care of me—even if I have and always will take care of myself ... eventually.”
“I know you can, but I just wanted to help with the only tools I have—my business knowledge and my art industry connections. I apologize for making you feel anything less than lovedor capable. I should have told you in Paris, but, honestly, I didn’t want anything to come between us as we explored ... whatever was going to develop.”
“I can understand that. You were bravely putting yourself out there on already shaky ground. I might have done the same.”
“But, there’s more to that story, and I hope you’ll be happy about it.”
She looked at him suspiciously.
