The Dressmaker's Dowry by Meredith Jaeger

Author:Meredith Jaeger
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-12-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Sarah, Present Day

My footsteps echoed in the marble lobby of Havensworth Art Academy, where a security guard manned the front desk. It was late now, and quiet. On an impulse, I’d decided to stop by, emboldened by the glass of wine I’d had at dinner.

I’d tried to cheer Jen up at our favorite Italian restaurant, but she hadn’t laughed at my jokes and had managed only a few forkfuls of pasta. I’d urged her to tell Nick what James had said to her, but she didn’t trust Nick not to spread the news.

I had half a mind to report James to HR myself. Could I do that? I hadn’t liked the way he’d looked at me after he’d reentered the office, his eyes beady and cold. He seemed like the type of man to be threatened by a strong woman.

I cleared my throat. The security guard looked up, his dark eyes meeting mine.

“Hi,” I said warmly. “My name is Sarah Havensworth. I’m here to help my mother-in-law set up for her event, the Canova by Moonlight gala.”

The guy sat up straighter, his shiny badge catching the light. My mouth felt dry. “And um, well, there’s some paperwork in the upstairs office that she asked me to get for her tonight. I was wondering if you might have the key?”

His bushy brows drew together. “You got ID?”

“Yes,” I said as I dug around in my purse. Pushing my ID across the desk toward him, I pasted a smile on my face.

He picked it up with both hands and studied it. “Sarah Havensworth, huh? Okay, looks like you’re part of the family.”

My shoulders relaxed. “Thank you,” I said, adrenaline pumping through me. The security guard removed a large key ring from a hook. He sorted through the jumble of metal before handing me a square brass key that I recognized.

The security guard smiled, almost making me feel guilty. “Bring it back when you’re finished. I’m here all night.”

“Great,” I said, turning on my heel. “I won’t be long. Thank you again.”

Taking the stairs two at a time, then traversing the dark corridor, I reached Lucas Havensworth’s office as if propelled there by an unseen force. Shutting the door behind me, I approached the wooden wardrobe in the back corner of the room. My hands shook as I stuck the skeleton key into the lock. It was a perfect fit. My breath shuddered as I grappled with my conscience. Was I doing the right thing?

What if there was something horrible behind that door—something I didn’t want to find? But it was too late; I twisted my wrist to the right and pulled on the key with both hands, tugging the stubborn door open. At first I thought the wardrobe was empty.

But then I blinked, noticing a canvas lying on its side. Stuffing the key into my pocket, I reached into the wardrobe with both hands and pulled out a painting in a gilded frame. Sneezing once, I buried my nose in the crook of my elbow.

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