![]() I visited their vineyards when I was in France last year. Taking his seat across from her, Maurice pulled the bottle of Dom Perignon from the antique ice bucket and filled her glass. If her hair had been down as usual, it wouldn't have happened. She'd dressed for dinner and worn an off-the-shoulder black dress. Her frown disappeared as quickly as it had come. Kristen flinched in surprise, but Maurice was already taking his seat. "The pleasure is mine." His fingertips grazed her bare shoulders as he removed his right hand from her chair. Perhaps the evening wouldn't be a waste after all. Kristen stared at the gracious smile on her host's face and sank into the cream-and-blue silkįs20padded armchair. I'd like to offer my assistance as well." ![]() "While we eat, you and I can become better acquainted and you can tell me about how you want Claudette's help. Releasing her arm, Maurice stepped behind a chair and pulled it out. Through the curved, multipaned windows behind them, light reflected off the Mediterranean-blue water in the rectangular-shaped swimming pool. The heavy scent of flowers hung in the air. Flickering white candles surrounded by creamy orchids provided the centerpiece. A bottle of vintage wine peeked from a silver ice bucket. "Claudette and I disagree," he said, steering her smoothly out of the drawing room and into a garden room down the wide hallway. "That's really not necessary," Kristen told him, trying to move away. She made me promise to go on with dinner as planned." She feels terrible that she couldn't meet with you. "I just got off the phone with Claudette. Kristen couldn't help her start of surprise. "Nonsense." Maurice caught her hand, then deftly stepped beside her, his other hand going around her slim waist. Please let Claudette know that I'll call in a couple of days and make another appointment." Kristen extended her hand again "If you'll call your driver to take me back to the city, I'll say good night." The important thing Kristen had to remember was that Claudette was interested in helping the museum increase its collection of nineteenth-century African-American art by placing her extensive collection or permanent loan and influencing her friends in the art circle of New Orleans to do the same. Claudette wasn't a figurehead she worked in the firm, just as he father had done before his death. The very fact that they could donate money or loan valuable pieces for exhibition meant they were wealthy and the demands on them usually high. But this wouldn't be the first time a potential donor to the museum had cancelled on her. Kristen groaned silently in disappointment. She won't be back until much later tonight," Maurice told her. "Claudette's plane has been delayed in Baton Rouge. It had taken months to coordinate their schedules. "I'm afraid not."ĭismay surged within Kristen, who was acting on behalf of the Haywood Museum in New Orleans. Maurice shook his head of neatly trimmed black hair, the expression on his amber-hued face saddened. "You certainly have the best of two worlds." Kristen gently tugged her hand free when he gave no indication of releasing it. It's close enough to New Orleans for business, but far enough away for us to have our privacy." "You'll have to come back and we can give you a tour. "Thank you," he said, obviously delighted. I wish it was daylight so I could see the grounds." "I feel the same way about her." Kristen caught a whiff of expensive cologne as she glanced around the spacious room with its high ceilings, meticulously restored eighteenth-century furnishings, and gleaming Waterford chandeliers. She respects you and your opinion highly." She was amazed to find his hand surprisingly soft. "I think Claudette has the finest collection of nineteenth-century art by people of color in the country."įit and trim in a tailored, gray pinstriped suit, Maurice smiled graciously as he took her hand into his. "Hello, Maurice, I was just enjoying looking at the paintings." Kristen extended her hand. If Claudette had found happiness, Kristen wished her all the best. When her widowed mother had unexpectedly fallen in love with Kristen's godfather, Jonathan Delacroix, Kristen had almost ruined their relationship because of her own recent disaster with love. Kristen hadn't been one of the gossipers. Many thought Maurice had used his charm and good looks to take unfair advantage of Claudette's grief over her father's death several months ago. Not only was he a junior salesman with the insurance brokerage firm she'd inherited from her father, he was ten years younger. ![]() Gossip had flowed like a river when he had married the wealthy and middle-aged socialite four months ago. Kristen Wakefield turned from studying the oil-on-canvas painting in the antebellum home of Claudette Laurent to see Claudette's husband, Maurice, striding confidently across the drawing room toward her. ![]()
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