Shaldon raised his eyes and his level gaze held hers.
“Word will be carried to the clubs tonight, and will appear in tomorrow’s papers,” she whispered.“He will be livid.”
“Or the King will be,” he murmured.
“No.Fox and Bakeley met with the King and his advisor, Sir Charles Long, to review the provenance.His Majesty found the story of the painting—and the treasure—enthralling.”She leaned closer.“The whole story.”
“I see.”
“It is mine, you said, Shaldon.Both the painting and the revenge.”
She held her breath while he studied her, his gaze growing warmer, his lips finally twitching.
He nodded to Lloyd, and the curtain came off.
Guests further down the table leaned sideways or turned in their chairs for a look.
Fox had performed miracles cleaning and refurbishing the painting, a task he said he’d wanted to do ten years earlier for the first Lady Shaldon.The figures crouched in darkness but caught the unearthly glow of the paradise they would soon enter.It was exquisite.
Shaldon lifted the letter again and read.“His Majesty will be pleased to accept the gift to him of the priceless Spanish masterpiece, The Martyrdom of Saints Felicity and Perpetua, by Sebastian Lopez de Arteaga, in honor of his coronation.”He passed the parchment to Lloyd and reached for Jane, studying her.
Some of the guests rose and left the table, crowding closer to view the canvas.
Shaldon drew her aside.“Thisis my revenge?”he asked.
“Indeed it is.As I said, the Duque will be livid.He will not try to wrest it from the King of England.And no weapons were needed.”
A long moment passed, a smile blooming on his lips.“Remind me never to cross you, my lady.”
He wrapped her in his good arm and pressed his lips to hers for a long moment that brought a hush to the room.
Straightening he peered down at her.“Shall we retire?”
Cheeks burning, she nodded.
“Do enjoy the rest of the evening,” he said to the rest of the company.“Lady Shaldon and I are beginning our honeymoon.”
The End
