The Choice of a Cavalier (The Heirs of the Aristocracy Book 3) by Linda Rae Sande

Author:Linda Rae Sande [Sande, Linda Rae]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781946271327
Publisher: Twisted Teacup Publishing
Published: 2020-08-27T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

A Grecian Goddess Casts a Spell

A few minutes later, in 300 Oxford Street

Victoria angled her head back as she regarded the Portland stone building before her. The dim light from the gas lamps at the corner and in front of it made it hard to see the shingle. Hanging from a decorative rod that protruded from the white stone, the sign’s lettering, Grandby & Son, gave no hint as to the nature of the business located there.

“It looks new,” she remarked as Tom offered his arm.

“Father had the façade cleaned last year. Made a world of difference,” he replied as he led them to the entrance. He extracted a key from his waistcoat pocket and was quick to open the door. He held it for her and then moved to turn on the gas sconces along the corridor. Light bloomed, revealing the green moire silk walls and thick carpeting, and Victoria inhaled softly.

“It looks as if this is new,” she commented as Tom led her to the end of the corridor. His secretary’s desk and counter were clear of papers. Only a green-glass shaded lamp sat on the counter. “Who was your decorator?”

Tom allowed a guffaw. “Father said he wanted green, Mother chose the silk, and a month later, it was done. But that was years ago.” He turned up the gas for the next set of lights and entered his office. He stepped aside and waved an arm for Victoria to join him. “This, my lady, is where I spend most of my time when I am not traveling.”

He moved to the credenza behind his desk and poured brandy into two crystal glasses as Victoria gingerly stepped into the office, her gaze quickly taking in the masculine surroundings. He offered her a glass, and she took it.

“Do your clients usually meet you here?” she asked when she noticed there were two chairs placed in front of the desk.

“They do,” he replied.

Her eyes widened as she moved to one of the artifacts he had on display. “And yet you came to me.”

Tom took a swallow of his brandy and allowed a shrug. “It wasn’t an inconvenience, my lady,” he said. “You served an excellent luncheon. I find doing business over a meal far better than across a desk,” he added.

Victoria remembered her appointment at the bank with Mr. Burroughs. Food—or at least drinks—would have made the awkward meeting less so. “Is this yours?” she asked as she indicated a globe of the earth mounted at an angle in a decorative brass stand.

Joining her at the wall of shelves holding his library and a number of artifacts and objets d’ art, Tom nodded. “It was a gift from a Brazilian client, made entirely of a lapis lazuli agate found in one of his mines.”

Victoria leaned over and studied the globe more closely. “How is it possible?” The gleaming surface displayed light and dark blue that matched the shape and size of the continents and the oceans.

“Well, it would be worth

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