Hidden Riches

told her, waiting, watching her face for a sign of recognition. “Mary, Queen of Scots. I often wonder if she wore it when she was arrested for treason.”
    “I’d rather think of her wearing it when she was riding across the moors.”
    “And this.” He chose the etui. “This belonged to another queen with a sad fate. Napoleon gave it to Josephine. Before he divorced her for being barren.”
    “You give your treasures a sad history, Edmund.”
    “I find poignancy increases their meaning for me. The trinkets of the rich and the royal, now a part of the collection of a commoner. Shall we dine?”
    There was lobster bisque and Peking duck so delicate it all but melted on the tongue. The meal was served on Limoges and eaten with Georgian silver. Dom Perignon was poured into antique Waterford that glittered like crystal tears.
    “Tell me about your shop,” Finley invited. “It must be exciting for you to buy and sell every day, to handle lovely things time and again.”
    “I do love it.” Dora fought to relax and enjoy the meal. “I’m afraid most of what I have falls far below your collections. What I stock is a mixture of antiques and estate items, along with . . .” Junk—she all but heard Jed’s sneering and comforting voice. “Novelty items,” she said a bit primly. “I love the foolish as well as the beautiful.”
    “And, like myself, you appreciate the having, the control. There’s something innately satisfying about making your own business out of something you love. Not everyone has the opportunity, or the courage, to make it a success. I believe, Isadora, that you have a great deal of courage.”
    Her stomach fluttered, but she managed to swallow the bite of duck. “My family considers it stubbornness. I hate to confess, but I frighten very easily.”
    “You underestimate yourself. After all, you came here, to me.” He smiled, watching her over the rim of his glass with eyes as sharp as carved jade. “For all you knew, DiCarlo might have been acting on my orders. After all, he is—was—an employee.”
    When she went pale and set down her fork with a rattle, he laughed, patted her hand. “Now I have frightened you. I apologize. It was merely said to illustrate my point. What sense would it make for me to have DiCarlo break into your shop and steal a few trinkets when I could so easily acquire them myself?”
    “I doubt I’d have very much you’d find interesting.”
    “Oh, I disagree.” He smiled and signaled for dessert. “I believe I’d find a great deal of what you have to offer of interest. Tell me,” he said, “do you ever come across any Grueby?”
    “I once had a statue of a boy—badly chipped, I’m afraid.” She fisted and unfisted her hands in her lap as the creamy chocolate soufflé was served. “I noticed your vase in the library. It’s lovely.”
    She relaxed into the discussion of pottery, and began to believe that she’d imagined he’d been baiting her.
    Later, they had coffee and brandy before a sedate fire inthe drawing room. The conversation was easy again, like that of old friends. All the while Dora’s nerves drummed. She’d never wanted to escape so badly in her life.
    “I’m sorry you can’t extend your visit.” Finley passed a small porcelain nude from hand to hand.
    “Running a business doesn’t give one as much flexible time as some people think. I’m sure you’d understand.”
    “Yes, indeed. There are times when I feel a prisoner of my own success. Do you?” He skimmed a fingertip over the nude’s glossy breast. “Feel trapped?”
    “No.” But she couldn’t shake the sensation that the walls of the room were shrinking in on her. “You must have marvelous contacts.” Again she scanned the room. She couldn’t watch the way he was fondling the nude. “Do you do much of the traveling and acquiring?”
    “Not as much as I’d like. Over the years I’ve had to delegate that pleasure. But I take the occasional trip to the Orient, or Europe. I even get to the east coast from time to time.”
    “I hope you’ll let me return your hospitality if you’re ever in Philadelphia.”
    “I wouldn’t think of taking the trip without paying you a call.”
    “Then I hope you find the time to come east soon. It was a wonderful meal, Edmund, a delightful evening.” She rose to play her final scene, the contented guest taking a reluctant leave.
    “Believe me, it was my pleasure.” He stood, took her hand and kissed it gallantly at