Ugh. Paris.“No, I don’t. Representation means the broker can either attend a live auction alone or do it in absentia, either online or over the phone, on our behalf. It’s standard practice. Neither of us needs to be involved.”
“I know, but I want to be sure it’s what we want and there may be other offerings up for bid.”
“Caroline, I handed this project to you. I have a hundred pitches stacked on my desk for review and?at your demand?a luncheon meeting with Sonic Defense. You know how I despise disorder and chaos thrown into my workweek. Might I remind you of our month-long honeymoon where the internet is spotty? No. I have too much to accomplish.”
“Then delegate, darling. You’re the President and CEO.”
“My father rarely delegated, and I only do so when I deem it absolutely necessary. Acquiring artwork in Paris is not necessary business.”
“It is to me.”
“Then, email me the catalog and I’ll carve out five minutes to see if anything else is worth my time and money,” he offered.
“A catalog to purchase a twenty-million-dollar painting? Where has your sensibility gone? Look, I know it’s a lot to ask, and I am completely sensitive to the fact that you have a sordid history with Elizabeth, but I wantthatSeurat! It’s a fabulous investment.”
Ah, she played the trigger word. “Investment.”
“If you must have it, then go and get it or bid remotely. I’m busy.” He shook his head unable to reconcile her jealousy and insecurity over Lizzy and the sudden need for him to engage with her over an acquisition, even if only for investment purposes. “So let me get this straight—you deliberately kept information about Lizzy and the gallery from me, but now you are deliberately forcing me to interact with her, all for a painting?”
“The Seine at Courbevoie 1885 is not just any painting. Jeez, only last week you succinctly pointed out that she’s in love with George, and you and I have a binding contract for an arrangement of mutual respect and guaranteed felicity. I’m only stating that my felicity lies not just in you on my arm but also in protecting my interests both aesthetically and financially.”
“Very wise and duly noted. I’ll think about it.”
“She needs my answer Monday morning so she can register.”
“Fine. At the risk of this sounding more like a divorce agreement, if I agree to this, I’m having Charlie draw up an amendment to the Marriage Pact. If either of us break the contract at any point, you get the Seurat and I get the townhouse.”
“Agreed. While I like the townhouse, it’s not me without you and the Darcy moniker or your money to refurbish it, but I’m confident splitting up will never come to pass.”
He glanced at the clock. In four hours, he needed to make a life-changing decision: Lizzy, Paris, and the SeuratorCaroline, Manhattan, the Seurat and the dreamscape of Lizzy on his mother’s easel. In the end, he’d have Lizzy one way or another, but fantasizing about her was not enough. Imagining what could have been versus experiencing forever with her beside him was an untenable decision.
June 28, Wednesday
Seated at the bistro table across the street from her apartment, Elizabeth looked up at George. “Thanks for meeting me so early in the morning. I took the liberty of ordering your coffee, but it may be cold by now.”
“I had a late night, so this better be good,” he said, taking a seat.
She smiled, setting the bait of good news before dropping the bad, but in her heart, she knew he would reveal his true self and motive. “I have some exciting news I think you’ll be happy with. Apart from Guy, you’re the first person I wanted to share it with in person.”
He sipped, then smiled. “Cool. You’re signing over half of La Tempera to me after the wedding?”
“No, silly! You will never guess who telephoned me on Monday—Wyn Gleason, the uber-famous egg tempera landscape artist!”
“Yeah?”
“I wanted to tell you sooner, but you’ve been so busy with your new project. I met with him and his assistant on Friday, and I’m super excited. He selectedmygallery, out of all the other galleries to exhibit his newest collection in September!” She oozed with glee, yet he didn’t share in her pride or cheer the monetary reward, which would pave the way to her financial freedom. In the art world, this was a huge honor and a mega opportunity.
“Congratulations. How didthathappen?” he said.
“I’m assuming Louisa Bingley, I mean Hurst. She must have gotten word to him somehow. She’s totally in love with La Tempera and the Pillson her husband purchased for her. Golly, for this alone, I’m thankful we went to the wedding.”
“Only for Gleason?” he asked.
She sipped her latte, reading the envy all over him. She was sure it wasn’t just jealousy over the reappearance of an ex-boyfriend, but something more, maybe George’s insecurity or an inferiority complex surrounding William.
“Yes. I’m thankfulonlyfor the introduction.” Furrowing her brow she added. “You don’t seem very enthusiastic about mynews. As my fiancé, I thought you’d be overjoyed. It’s a big deal, George, a huge opportunity for the gallery and my reputation.”
“Yeah. Sure, I’m happy for you. You’ve worked hard. I’ll give you that.”
