The Summer of Sunshine and Margot(91)

Alec swore under his breath.

“What?” she asked. “Are you mad?”

“Of course not. It’s an exciting find. It’s just...” He looked at her. “Now they have to be dealt with.”

She gazed into his eyes and realized what he was thinking. “Oh no. You’re right. Legally they came with the property, so they’re yours and you could simply leave them where they are or display them, but you won’t do that, will you? You’re going to call whoever is in charge of the Catholic church in this area and let them come claim their property. Which means everything will have to be documented and photographed before it’s removed. What a mess. I found bones, huh?”

“Better than bones. It won’t take them but a few days.”

“Still. You didn’t want an invasion. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He put his arm around her and kissed her. “It’ll pass. This is a very significant discovery. You said there was something down here and you were right. Good for you.”

She smiled. “You should keep one of the statues. Just a little one. Come on, they are so cool and you’d appreciate their historical significance more than most.”

One corner of his mouth turned up. “I’ll do some research and keep the least valuable of the lot.” He led her back toward the stairs. “Any other areas you have a burning need to explore?”

“I think I’ve seen it all.”

“Good.”

She laughed. “I promise not to find any more treasure.”

“Thank you, but even so, I do have one favor to ask.”

“I can guess what it is.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t tell your mother.”

“That would be it.”

She leaned against him. “You have my word.”

“That’s all I need.”

  Alec found himself pulled forward a couple of hundred centuries by the sound of voices in the hallway. Normally he would have tuned them out but when he recognized they belonged to Margot and his mother, he moved quickly to open the door so he could listen better and decide if he had to intervene.

“This isn’t right,” Margot said, her tone firm.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He would guess they were standing on the stairs. The sharpness of Margot’s tone surprised him. As far as he knew, she and his mother were getting along well and the lessons were progressing to the point that Margot wouldn’t be needed much longer—something he didn’t want to think about. Once she left, well, he wasn’t sure what was going to happen. He liked having her in his house and in his bed.

“Alec would want this,” his mother insisted, getting his attention. “I believe I’m a better judge of that than you are.”

“Under most circumstances, I’m sure you’re right, but not this time.”

“His house is beautiful and now with the treasure,” Bianca said. “Shouldn’t the world get to admire it?”

The treasure? How had his mother found out?

“No, the world shouldn’t,” Margot insisted. “This is his home, his refuge. He isn’t the kind of person who wants to have pictures of it plastered in some magazine.”

“It’s not some magazine! It’s a prestigious publication and being asked to be part of a photo shoot is an honor.”

“For you,” Margot told her. “But not for him.”

“We’ll just see about that!”

His mother started down the stairs, while Margot stayed where she was. Alec debated racing back to his desk so he could pretend he hadn’t been listening, but decided there was no point. He pushed open the door wider and waited. Seconds later, Bianca swept in, a glossy magazine in her hand.

She looked at him, her eyes narrowed. “You heard?”

“I did.”

She waved the magazine. “Being invited to be a featured home is a huge honor. I can’t imagine what Margot was thinking to say you wouldn’t be interested.” Her gaze was pointed.

“I’m sorry,” he began.

“No!” His mother glared at him. “Alec, you will not refuse them. How can you not want recognition for your beautiful house? And the treasure should be seen by all. Not that I would have known about it from you or Margot. I had to hear about it when I ran into that Cardinal who visited and he only told me because I asked what he was doing here.”

Alec grimaced. “When you say you ‘ran into him’ you mean—”

“Oh for heaven’s sake. I parked next to him. I didn’t actually hit him. You are more annoying than usual today. You have a beautiful house and you found some fabulous artifacts that you are returning to the Catholic church and you won’t let one measly little writer in here to talk about it and take some pictures?”

“Mother, this is my home and it’s private.”

“So you’re taking her side over mine? I am so disappointed in you.”

“I’m not taking anyone’s side. I’m telling you what I want, and you shouldn’t be surprised. You know how I value my privacy.”

She sniffed. “I thought I could count on you. I thought we were a team. I should have known that one a day a woman would rip us apart, leaving us with nothing.”