Page 22 of Meet Me Under the Mistletoe
She couldn’t quite believe she was looking at an original De-Veer; she’d only ever seen them in museums or books. And here was one just casually hanging in Isaac’s front room.
“I have an idea,” he said.
“You are very lucky. I’ve got books of De-Veer’s prints, a couple of first editions. I’ve been offered a small fortune for them, but I’d never part with them. I keep them under glass in the shop; they’re so rare. I love her work. Where did you get it?”
“I inherited it. It’s been in the family for some time.”
“Gosh, don’t be tempted to part with it, will you? Or if you do, make sure you speak to an actual art dealer first.”
When Isaac didn’t answer, she turned to find him gazing into the fire. Perhaps he was worried she might offer to buy it from him. Fat chance.
“This is a lovely room,” she said, sitting back down opposite Isaac.
“Thanks. I changed a lot of things when I moved in. My parents were sentimental souls, which was great, but it meant they could never throw anything away. When Mum married Dad, she brought her parents’ old furniture with her because she couldn’t bear to part with it, and then when Mum died, Dad couldn’t bear to part with it either. I swear the old sofas were only held together by dust and memories.”
Nory smiled. “That’s kind of sweet, though,” she said.
“And kind of gross,” he joked.
“And there’s no Mrs. Head Gardener? Or Mr.?” She didn’t like to make assumptions.
Isaac laughed. “No, no Mrs. It’s just me and Lettuce.”
Nory couldn’t help feeling a little twinge of pleasure.
“So, you’re here for the big wedding,” he said.
“Yup.”
“Coincidence? Or does the wedding party know the area?”
Nory shifted on the sofa. “The happy couple used to go to Braddon-Hartmead. You’d probably recognize them if you saw them.”
Isaac’s expression darkened, just for a second. “I thought I recognized the smokers on the lawn. So, you’re having a bit of a school reunion before the big day.” His tone, if not unfriendly exactly, was less congenial than it had been a moment ago. Nory decided to ignore it.
“Yes,” she said brightly. “The rest of the guests arrive on Saturday.”
“And how’s the reunion working out so far?” Isaac asked.
“Well, I’m hiding out here drinking cocoa instead of sipping cocktails at the castle, so...”
Isaac nodded. “Will you be going down to see your family while you’re here?”
“Yes. I couldn’t not, really, being this close to home. I plan to go down tomorrow.”
“I’ve got a few things to pick up from the nursery, so I can give you a lift down if you like?”
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.”
Isaac shrugged it off.
“So, you noticed my hellebores. That’s pretty impressive in the dark.”
“Hellebores are my favorites. I mean, I’m not a flower nerd or anything...” She was a total flower nerd.
“Unlike me,” Isaac teased.
“Well, quite,” Nory agreed. They were flirting, and she was very into it. Not everyone would want to flirt with a woman who had rolled in a wheelbarrow full of manure.Play it cool, Nory, you are in a sexy gardener’s cottage with no bra on. This is the closest you’ve come to foreplay in months.
