Homeport

participation in the project for more reasons than her qualifications. Because the results benefited the Institute, she put warmth in her smile. “How nice to finally meet you.”
    “A pleasure.” He crossed the room to take her hand, noting that mother and daughter didn’t even bother with the cool air kisses women often exchanged. “I hope your flight was uneventful.”
    “It was, thank you.” A beautiful face, she thought, and a smooth manner. The photographs she’d seen of him in art magazines over the years hadn’t quite been able to capture the power of the combination. “I apologize for not being able to get away sooner as I’d planned. I hope the project is progressing as you anticipated, Mr. Boldari.”
    “Ryan, please. And it’s already exceeded my expectations. Your daughter is everything I could wish for.”
    “You’ve been busy,” she said to Miranda.
    “Very. We’ve closed off the wing on this level to the public for the last two days. The team’s put in a lot of hours, but it’s paying off.”
    “Yes, I can see it is.” She scanned the room, impressed and pleased, but only said, “You have work to do yet, of course. You’ll be able to tap the talents of Standjo now. Several staff members flew out today, and a few others will be here by tomorrow. They know they’re at your disposal. Elise and Richard are here now, along with Vincente and his wife.”
    “Does Andrew know Elise is here?”
    Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “If he doesn’t, he will shortly.” And the warning in her tone was clear. No personal family business was to be discussed or allowed to interfere. “Your father is due in tonight. He’ll be a tremendous help with the final selections of the artifacts.”
    “I’ve already made the final selections,” Miranda said flatly.
    “It’s rare that any project of this size can’t benefit from a fresh eye.”
    “Are you planning to take me off this project too?”
    There was a moment when it appeared Elizabeth would respond. Her lips trembled open, but then firmed again as she turned to Ryan. “I’d very much like to see your Vasaris.”
    “Yes, Ryan, show her the Vasaris. They’re in the next area. If you’ll both excuse me, I have an appointment.”
    “I feel obliged to tell you, Elizabeth,” Ryan began when Miranda walked out, “that this very impressive exhibit wouldn’t have been possible without your daughter. She conceived it, designed it, and has implemented it.”
    “I’m well aware of Miranda’s talents.”
    “Are you?” He said it mildly, with a slight and deliberately mocking lift of brow. “Obviously I’m mistaken then. I assumed since you didn’t comment on the results of four weeks of intense work on her part, you found them lacking in some way.”
    Something flickered in her eyes that might have been embarrassment. He hoped it was. “Not at all. I have every confidence in Miranda’s capabilities. If she has a flaw it’s overenthusiasm and the tendency to become too personally involved.”
    “Most would consider those assets rather than flaws.”

    He was baiting her, but she couldn’t see the reason for it. “In business, objectivity is essential. I’m sure you’d agree.”
    “I prefer passion in all things. Riskier, but the benefits are much more rewarding. Miranda has passion, but she tends to repress it. Hoping, I’d guess, for your approval. Do you ever give it?”
    Temper showed coldly on her, a chill in the eyes, frost lining the voice. “My relationship with Miranda isn’t your concern, Mr. Boldari, any more than your relationship with her is mine.”
    “Odd. I’d say the opposite was true, since your daughter and I are lovers.”
    Her fingers tightened briefly on the strap of the slim leather attaché case she carried. “Miranda is an adult. I don’t interfere with her personal affairs.”
    “Just her professional ones, then. Tell me about The Dark Lady. ”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “ The Dark Lady. ” He kept his eyes on hers. “Where is she?”
    “The Fiesole Bronze,” Elizabeth said evenly, “was stolen from a storeroom at the Bargello several weeks ago. Neither I nor the authorities have any idea of its current location.”
    “I wasn’t speaking of the copy, but of the original.”
    “Original?” Her face remained blank. But he saw something behind it. Knowledge, shock, consideration—it was difficult to be sure with a woman with such rigid control.
    “Elizabeth?” A group of people