She took a tentative sip of the champagne and glanced around with a vapid expression directed at the people more than the art. Henry could sense her mind taking in information from the pretty boys showing off for their dates to the crowds forming around certain works of art and not others. Although Gabe had been sipping her champagne for thirty minutes, the liquid remained near the same level. Smart woman.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“No. I’m more partial to romanticism. It sounds prettier.” She giggled as though her whole purpose was to please the man in her life. As fascinating a prospect as that was, he loved standing beside a genius. He’d prefer to have a companion by his side who would challenge him, not just decorate him. Perhaps he’d have the opportunity to accompany Gabe to a museum after all of this subterfuge to listen to her unrestrained opinion of the art around her.
They continued to chat about the many paintings, icons, and statues that surrounded them. Her eyes revealed a nuanced understanding of every work of art in the room, but she divulged only a mere hint of her intelligence. Turning the corner into one of the many secondary spaces, Henry stalled in front of the other woman in his life, Lady Elizabeth Gillett. He bit back the grin threatening to emerge as the weight of losing her lifted up and left him practically hovering off the ground. Larger than most of the art offered for sale, she had a new gilded frame, but otherwise appeared exactly as she had been before being replaced by the new version.
“She’s beautiful.” The clouds in Gabe’s eyes dissipated as the discerning art appraiser analyzed Henry’s most precious asset. “The frame appears in good condition, but the other one is authentic, so I’d probably return it to the original.” Her voice stayed low, beneath the hearing range of the others in the room.
“I agree,” Henry whispered in her ear. He couldn’t resist nuzzling her neck while he was there. He had the woman of his dreams next to him and Lady Elizabeth in front of him. Life was near perfect.
Alex stared up at the painting and then turned back to him. “The colors in her face and in the background are more suitable to the time period. Her eyes have a softer sheen and the entire picture encapsulates the movement of her balancing on the horse. In my opinion, this is one of Lawrence’s finest pieces. If…no, when you buy it, leave it up in Ripon. She’ll grace the halls of that old castle, displaying something amazing for the women and children to enjoy.”
A few others gathered in front of the painting to view it. Gabe moved closer to his side, but Henry acted bored with his date and his painting. Being possessive of anything in this room could lead to trouble. He only had so much money to fend off competitors.
“There’s nothing here worth buying. Can we find some food?” Gabe asked.
“Maybe there’s something in the next room.” Henry led her away from their potential competitors and perused several more items.
A gentleman in a very expensive suit strolled over to them. He held out his hand to Henry. “Richard Quinn.”
Simon had mentioned that Mr. Quinn was a part owner of the gallery and might introduce himself.
“Colin Fisher.”
“Nice to meet you.” He turned his attention to Gabe. “Enjoying yourselves?”
“Yes. This is the best champagne I’ve had in forever.” Gabe lifted her glass in a toast and took a sip.
Richard smiled at her, approving of her comment and her appearance. She had to be careful. She didn’t realize the potent reaction her flirtations were causing with the men around her. For someone who didn’t wish to be noticed, she created a stunning vision in gold.
Richard waved over a server to provide Gabe with another glass. “I’m glad you approve.” He turned to Henry. “Mr. Fisher, have you found anything you wish to take home for your clients?”
Henry gave him a slow nod. “Perhaps. What time will the lot in room eight be auctioned?”
“We’re planning on having those five paintings and the two statues moved to the main gallery in about half an hour. Are you interested in anything in particular?”
“The statue by Edvard Eriksen, the Emile Claus painting, and perhaps the portrait by Thomas Lawrence.”
“Good choices. We look forward to seeing your bids.” He nodded to them and walked away.
Henry placed an arm around Gabe’s waist to protect her from the onslaught of admirers. The muscles in her arm stiffened. He glanced in the direction of her gaze. A group of unknown men stood by the bar discussing something serious.
“Colin, do you mind if I run to the restroom?” she whispered in his ear.
“By all means, go. I’ll wait here.”
Instead of turning away, the golden goddess embraced him. Her arms encircled his shoulders, floated down his arms, and rested on his waist. The woman was pure sexual energy. Her hand brushed over the gun, but he shifted her away from it. He didn’t need her accidentally discharging it.
Nuzzling her lips against his neck, she molded her body into his. He tried not to physically react, but she raised his temperature just being in his line of sight. When she touched him, he became insane with the need to scoop her up and rush her back to the hotel.
Not yet.
First, they needed the painting. She brushed her lips over his mouth and then ended the kiss with a sigh. As she walked away, her hips swayed with an invitation to Henry for later.
…
Alex didn’t want to run away, but what choice did she have? When her eyes locked onto Luc, standing in the corner of the gallery speaking to a bunch of men, including Brian Fouchet, she knew her fairy tale had ended. Henry didn’t deserve to be caught in her nightmare. After everything he’d given to her including a piece of his heart, she needed to protect him as well as her family. And now that he’d found the painting, the Ripon Women’s Group would thrive.
Luc stood out in a crowd of wannabes with his jet-black hair, dark eyes, and a scruffy elegance that women lusted after and men envied.
Did he see me?