Page 46 of Donovan Blake: Passion

“Right,” Peter muttered as he carefully picked it up.

The flap was only half sealed and opened easily. Reaching inside, he withdrew a folded piece of paper.

“Here goes,” he mumbled.

“My Dearest Julie,

I fear our hopes have been dashed. As I write this I am ebbing away in a beautiful garden at Hawthorne Hall. I do wish you could see it. I pray one day you will. You will receive this letter and my gift through my good friend Billy Cavendish. He’s the best of chaps. Anyway, in the pouch is a ring.

Yes, my dearest, I planned to ask you to become Mrs. Richard Weiss. In my heart you already are, and though this may sound far-fetched, I have the strongest feeling that somehow, some way, we will find each other again. Our love is too great, and need for each other too strong, for us to be denied a lifetime of happiness.

As you know I come from a family of jewel-smiths. Just a few days before I was wounded I met with my uncle and told him about us. He gave me something to secure our future. I’ve been secretly carrying it and I must say it’s been frightfully difficult at times, yet somehow I have managed. But now I’m stuck here, and I don’t trust anyone to make sure it ends up in your hands, not even Billy, so I’ve hidden it.

There’s a grand portrait of Lord Percival Hawthorne here in the Lake House. That’s what they call this place because that’s what it is. A small lake in the gardens, and this lovely house is on an island in the middle. When you receive this you must hurry here. Come into the Lake House and check the frame about halfway up on the right side as you face the portrait. I managed to come up with a way to make it virtually impossible to notice. I pray you’ll be able to secretly retrieve it.

I love you with all my heart.

Until we meet again.

Forever yours,

Richard.”

“How did the pouch and letter end up under a floorboard?” Phoebe asked, her eyes wide.

“Hard to say,” Donovan muttered thoughtfully, “but now we know it’s not the painting these people are after, it’s the frame!”

“No wonder Giles has pressed me to sell him the portrait all these years,” Peter exclaimed. “Why didn’t he just tell me about this? I would have cooperated with him. And Alexi’s buyer in Switzerland is a man named David Weiss, so he must related to the soldier.”

“He must have just learned about all this or he would have been in touch you with sooner,” Donovan remarked. “Okay, Phoebe, gently open the pouch.”

“Will you do it? I’m worried about the bugs you thought might be inside.”

“Sure, unless you want the honor, Peter.”

“Please, be my guest.”

Carefully pulling open the top of the drawstring bag, Donovan placed his hand beneath it and gave it a gentle shake. A magnificent sapphire and diamond encrusted ring fell into his palm.

“Wow, that is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Phoebe exclaimed. “It must be worth a fortune.”

“A masterpiece,” Peter murmured, leaning forward to study it. “Now I’m even more curious about what might be hidden in that frame. But how the blazes will we get it back?”

“I think I know,” Donovan replied as his phone rang. “Donovan Blake,” he declared accepting the call.

“This is Alexi.”

“Hello, Alexi, you have excellent timing,” he remarked, quickly placing the call on speaker. “What can I do for you?”

“You know the answer to that question. I expect you to be here with my painting tomorrow morning at ten o’clock.”

“I’ll be there at noon, but Lord Hawthorne wants something in return.”

“Excuse me?”

“The frame. It’s not worth very much but it has a great deal of sentimental value. Whoever is buying the portrait will probably want to replace it anyway, and it’s much safer and easier to transport the painting rolled up in a protective tube. But you can keep the glass.”

“I was going to suggest the same thing,” Alexi declared. “This damn frame is nothing but a nuisance. He’s welcome to it. The glass I’m pleased to keep. It will sit on four gold stands and display some special items of mine.”

---