Page 54 of The Heart You Kept

“Five thousand.” Someone else holds up their paddle.

“Twelve thousand.”

“Do I have twenty?” the auctioneer calls.

Someone’s paddle goes into the air.

“Thank you, sir, sold. To the man on table ten.”

An hour and a dessert break later the auction begins again.

“We are up to auction number twenty-four and this is without a doubt an opportunity of a lifetime,” the auctioneer calls. “Tonight we are offering an internship with Alora Sorenson Antiques.”

The crowd goes silent and my stomach drops, god help me…here we go.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, people,” the auctioneer continues. “You will get to learn from Alora Sorenson herself. She will mentor you for a period of two whole months, you will get to work in her boutique alongside her team and travel to Paris with her for further education. You will be roaming the countryside in her eternal search for the ultimate in lost treasure.”

I bite my lip to hide my smile, so dramatic.

“This is a prize that money cannot buy for the aspiring antique dealer,” the auctioneer calls as he looks around. “The perfect gift for someone you love. Do we have a first bid?”

“Five hundred thousand euros,” a deep English voice calls.

The crowd gasps and I turn to see Edward holding his paddle in the air.

No….

“Good lord,” the auctioneer calls. “Do we have a higher bidder?”

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

The room collectively holds their breath and my heart threatens to escape my chest.

What is he doing?

“Going once for five hundred thousand euros.”

Silence….

“Five hundred thousand euros twice.”

“Third call for five hundred thousand.” He slams down his hammer. “Sold to Mr. Edward Prescott.”

CHAPTER TEN

EDWARD

“Third call for five hundred thousand.” He slams the hammer down. “Sold to Mr. Edward Prescott.”

The crowd cheer and Theodore holds his hand out. “You crazy fucking bastard.” He chuckles. “I’m positive you’re insane.”

I dip my head with a smile.

“What in the world are you going to do with that?” Hermione laughs as she claps in disbelief.

“Donate it to the Royal Scholarship Scheme.”

Theodore laughs and shakes his head. “You could have gotten this for forty thousand.”