The Elusive Heiress by Gail Mallin

Author:Gail Mallin [Mallin, Gail]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 2000-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

‘Oh how lovely!’ Kate halted in surprise on the threshold.

She had been expecting another small and dark room, but this enormous chamber must run virtually the entire length of the south wing and it was filled with sunlight streaming in through the diamond lights of a vast five-sided bay window.

‘Now I see why your father conceived the odd notion of housing his collection up here,’ she said with her usual frankness.

Randal was amused. He couldn’t remember anyone else making such a comment, although he was sure all of the servants and most of the visitors who had toiled up the endless stairs must have shared the same thought.

‘Actually, I think he chose it as much for its privacy as for the space and good light. You see, he was a man who valued solitude.’ Randal let out an abrupt chuckle. ‘Fortunately, he was not in the habit of collecting large pieces!’

‘I thought you said he brought some statues back from Italy?’ Kate moved forward, enticed by the objects she could see on display. The room was immaculately clean, she noticed, but very hot.

‘Indeed he did. There is a particularly fine Renaissance marble of Apollo in the Knot Garden, which I can show you later if you are interested, but most of his collection, like mine, consists of smaller items.’

He pointed to a red-figured vase placed upon a low granite plinth in the centre of the room. ‘This was his most cherished acquisition. He came across it in Athens and paid a small fortune to bring it home.’

Kate moved closer and marvelled at the skill of the ancient artist. Upon the black surface of the amphora he had depicted a dance of youths and maidens with lively vigour.

‘They have just been rescued from the Minotaur by Theseus,’ Randal explained.

‘You can recognise their joy,’ Kate agreed, but nervously declined his offer to handle the vase for herself.

‘I should be terrified of dropping it,’ she admitted frankly.

Randal chuckled. ‘Well, how about this instead?’ he suggested, indicating a bronze helmet, which Kate guessed correctly to be Roman.

They wandered round the room and, completely fascinated, Kate forgot both her earlier strange unease and the oppressive heat.

‘These are lovely.’ Some jewellery arranged in a glass case caught her eye. ‘Are they very old?’

‘Fourteenth-century French.’ Randal opened the case and took out a ring which he handed to her. The broad silver band was engraved with lettering, each word separated from the next by a carved heart in which was set a glowing garnet.

‘It’s beautiful,’ Kate exclaimed. ‘May I try it on?’

It fitted perfectly. Reluctantly, she took it off again and examined the wording more closely. A Vila Mon Coeur Gardi Li Mo. ‘What does it mean?’

‘Here is my heart, guard it well,’ he replied in a voice that wasn’t quite level. ‘The garnet signifies constancy.’

Her pulse beating too fast, Kate put the ring back and said hastily, ‘Where are the Egyptian curios you mentioned?’

‘Over there.’ Randal indicated the souvenirs of his own travels, which had been arranged at the other end of the room, which was lit by another large window.

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