Authors: Theresa Troutman
“It was sad news.”
“Yes, and the sharks are circling and they haven’t even buried the poor man yet,” Fiona agreed.
“They’re just looking for a good investment. I know this is a business, but if I were you, I’d sell to the collector that loved his work, not the person looking to make a quick buck.”
Fiona gave Sebastian a long, hard look, her lips curving up into a smile. “That’s exactly what I’m going to do. You’re a brilliant protégé.”
“I have an excellent teacher.”
“Always the charmer—don’t ever change. Business is up since you joined me.”
“So who’s on the short list for the silkscreen?” Sebastian asked, walking over the desk.
Fiona pointed to a list of three names: the first was Evan Bloomfield, the second was Abigail Archibald, and the third was Alexander Kilmoore.
“I like Mrs. Archibald. She’s always so pleasant when she comes in.”
“That’s because she treats you as if you were her favorite grandchild!”
“There’s nothing wrong with that!”
“Especially when you sell her paintings and make me a profit.”
“Bloomfield is too full of himself. He may be a true art lover, but he’ll be a pompous arse if you sell it to him.”
“True,” Fiona conceded. “What about Kilmoore?”
“I like Kilmoore, but pop art really isn’t his thing. Give it to Mrs. Archibald. It will look great next to her Liechtenstein.”
“A wise choice. You keep this up, Irons, and you could be running this gallery in ten years.”
“Oh, I hope it won’t take that long,” Sebastian joked.
Fiona patted him on the back. “I have a phone call to make. Mind the shop.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Sebastian made his way home around eight o’clock. Tess was up in the loft, seated at the desk, studying. He climbed the steps and greeted her with a kiss. “How was your day?”
“Good. How was yours?”
“Very busy, but I got a lot accomplished,” Sebastian said. “The gallery was swarming with phone calls.”
“Everybody wants a Warhol, huh?”
“Yes, and Fiona only had one to sell.”
“So did it go to the highest bidder?” Tess asked.
“No,” Sebastian said with pride. “Fiona sold it to the person who would appreciate it the most.”
“Well, then all is right in the world.” Tess smiled as she closed her book and stood from the desk, giving him a hug. “Should I even ask what you and Sigourney are up to?”
“Secret plans, can’t say.”
Tess shook her head. “When the two of you get together, I need to watch out. Something extravagant is bound to happen.”
“Oh please, you love my surprises!” he playfully exclaimed.
“Correction—I love you. I tolerate the surprises because you get so excited planning them.”
“Not true —you loved the birthday dinner here at home.”
“Okay, let me rephrase: I love when the surprises are inexpensive and homemade. But then you did pull out a Cartier diamond at the end, so technically, it really wasn’t an inexpensive surprise.”
Sebastian took her hand in his and examined the diamond ring. “I watch you sometimes. You look down at that ring and move it around so it catches the light and sparkles. Then those gorgeous lips curl up into a smile and I know you could never be angry with me for buying it.”
“You’re right,” she blushed. “Come downstairs, I’ll make you a sandwich. You must be hungry.”
Sebastian placed a Diet Coke in front of Tess. She’d been sitting at the table for the past three hours, studying for her finals. She needed a break and he didn’t know how to get her out of the cocoon she had created around herself. He cracked the tab on the soda can and the familiar sound of fizzing bubbles caught her attention.
“Take a break.”
“Too much to do,” she said, briefly looking up at him.
“You work too hard.”
“Aren’t you worried about your finals?”
“No, I have more important things to think about.”
That comment certainly gained her attention. Tess closed the book and studied him with intensity. “What could possibly be more important?”
Sebastian held his mouth shut, attempting not to laugh, but his smiling eyes gave him away. “Gee, I don’t know. Our wedding is only a week away.”
“You said you would take care of everything, and all I had to do was show up,” she remarked, slightly annoyed at his interruption.
“I have taken care of everything but Sigourney rang and asked if we could come for lunch on Saturday. What shall I tell her?”
Tess opened the text book on the table and refocused her attention on it. “Fine, we can go, but please tell me we’re not going to the Russian Tea Room.”
“No, it’s just a luncheon at the brownstone.”
“Good, I can pick up my wedding dress at that time.”
That was the most they had conversed over the past few days, and Sebastian felt lucky to get that much time from her. He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “I’m going to bed. Don’t stay up too late.”
“Love you,” she absentmindedly replied as she continued to read.
Sebastian backed away, watching Tess as she sipped her Coke and read in deep concentration. He turned off the main light and quietly closed the bedroom door. In a week’s time she would be his bride, and he couldn’t wait.
* * *
With her last exam finally over, Tess felt she could breathe a little easier—just a little. Sebastian had been so wonderful to her over the past week: leaving her alone to study, not pestering her about the wedding. She’d been so focused on school, the wedding fell to the back of her mind. She was happy to be marrying him, she just didn’t get excited over all the pomp and circumstance like he did. That was something that definitely made their relationship different.
She was glad to get out of the condo and have lunch with Sigourney, even though the conversation would surely turn to wedding talk. That was okay—she could just sit back and enjoy her meal while Sebastian and Sigourney debated which chairs to rent or what type of flowers should be purchased. Tess was so grateful it hadn’t become the overblown affair Sebastian had initially wanted. She just let him run the plans within the confines of a small, intimate ceremony.
Sebastian opened the door to the brownstone and let Tess enter first. The sitting room doors were closed, which was unusual because Sigourney spent so much time in that room playing the piano.
“Sigourney, we’re here,” he yelled up the stairs. Sigourney didn’t respond. “Maybe she’s in here,” Sebastian said, opening the double doors to the sitting room.
“Surprise!”
Tess stopped breathing for a moment when she looked inside the room. Her mom, Sigourney, Alice, and Penny were standing to welcome her. She looked at Sebastian, “What’s all this?”
“Your bridal shower. You don’t think Sigourney would let you get away without one.”
“I’ve been too busy to even think about it,” Tess admitted.
“That’s why it was so easy to plan!” Sigourney explained, coming forward to hug Tess.
Tess greeted everyone and took a seat in the place of honor. There were gifts piled high on the coffee table—far more gifts than people in attendance. The siblings were being extravagant after all, and there was nothing Tess could do about it, so she let them have their fun.
“Penny, it’s so good to see you. How long are you in town?” Tess asked.
“I flew in for the wedding. Sebastian is the first of our group to tie the knot. I couldn’t miss it.”
“I’m glad you’re here. I can’t wait to see what other surprises my fiancé has planned for me,” she said, grinning at Sebastian, who sat on the arm of her chair.
“Are you pleased?” he leaned down and whispered in her ear.
“Yes, this was a lovely surprise.”
“Okay, you two love birds. Time for gifts!” Sigourney handed Tess a small long box.
Inside Tess found an ivory lace garter trimmed with blue satin ribbon, and a note from her mom.
I wore this on my wedding day to your father. I wish you and Sebastian all the happiness and love in the world. Love, Mom
Tess stood up and hugged her mom. “This means so much to me. I love you.”
Next, Sigourney handed Tess an envelope. She opened the card to find another handwritten note.
Sebastian told me how much you loved London. Please accept this gift and enjoy a week’s stay at the Savoy during your honeymoon trip, since I know how much you both love the accommodations. Best wishes, Penny
“That’s brilliant, Pen. Thank you,” Sebastian said, kissing her on the cheek.
Tess was happy. She was fully prepared to backpack across Europe, so this was an unexpected and welcome surprise. “Penny, it’s too much, but we really will enjoy this. I can’t thank you enough.”
* * *
Sebastian heard the front door of the brownstone open. He wondered who else Sigourney may have invited, because he wasn’t expecting anyone else. Who would just let themselves in unannounced? He turned to look in the direction of the front door as Tess continued opening her gifts.
There, standing in the open doorway, was Lady Irons. Sebastian felt his heart drop to the bottom of his stomach. He frantically looked at Sigourney. This couldn’t be happening.
“Excuse me, please,” Sigourney announced to the her guests as she stood and quickly headed for her mother, pushing her back into the hall and closing the double doors behind them.
“What’s going on?” Tess asked, the look on her face intense and confused.
Sebastian shook his head. “I don’t know. This wasn’t planned.” He tapped his foot on the floor in irritation. “I have to go. Sigourney can’t take the blame for this.” He stood and bolted toward the doors.
“Sigourney, what is going on?” Lady Irons demanded.
“Mummy, what are you doing here?”
“I had a layover coming back from Japan. I thought I’d come visit for a few hours.”
“You could have warned me,” Sigourney reasoned in exasperation.
Sebastian stepped into the vestibule. “Are you okay, Sigourney?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I think you need to leave. You weren’t invited to the party,” Sebastian said to Lily in a sinister voice.
Lady Irons ignored Sebastian and looked at Sigourney instead. “I specifically told you that I didn’t want you to have any contact with him. Have you forgotten?”
“Mummy, Sebastian is my brother. I’m not going to stop speaking to him just because you two had a falling out.”
“Oh, is that what we’re calling it?” Sebastian snickered.
Sigourney grabbed Sebastian by the suit coat and pulled him away, saying under her breath, “You’re not helping me. Go back inside and tend to the guests. I’m fine.”
Sebastian opened his mouth to protest, but Sigourney gave him a dirty look that effectively shut him up. He nodded his head in agreement and joined the ladies in the sitting room.
The double doors opened and Sebastian appeared. Tess walked over to him. “What’s happening?”
“Sigourney has it under control.” He turned to the other ladies. “Why don’t I refresh your drinks?” He walked around the room and filled their champagne glasses.
Alice reached out and patted his hand in support. “That was unexpected.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s pass around the canapés until Sigourney comes back,” Alice suggested.
They both went to the kitchen and came back a short time later, offering food to Tess, Kate, and Penny. The five of them sat quietly nibbling away until Sigourney joined them.
She breezed into the room with a smile on her face, as if nothing had occurred. “I’m sorry for the interruption. Tess, please continue to open your gifts.”
“I’m sorry if I put you in a difficult situation,” Tess apologized. “Please tell me she didn’t disown you, too.”
With a wave of her hand, she dismissed her worry. “I’m the favorite, she won’t disown me.”
Sebastian studied Sigourney. She may have looked cool, calm, and collected, but Lily’s visit had rattled her. Everyone was looking at his sister. “She’s right. Sigourney has always been the favorite. If Lily keeps kicking everyone out of the family, she’ll have no one to inherit all her money,” he said to make light of the situation.
Sigourney was the only person to find the humor in his statement and laughed aloud. “Enough drama for today. We have more presents to open.”
* * *
Tess continued making her way through the pile of presents that sat before her. When she finally finished opening the gifts, she had a new wardrobe for her honeymoon, a beautifully hand-stitched quilt from Alice, and a crystal and pearl beaded headband to wear with her wedding dress.
It was an overwhelming day. Talk about one extreme to the other! It wore Tess out and she was suddenly tired.
“Sigourney, thank you for the bridal shower. I do hope everything is okay between you and your mother.”
“No worries, Tess. I can handle her.”
Sebastian came up behind the two and placed his hand on the small of Tess’ back. “I’ve hired a car to take us home. Your mother and Alice can ride along. Are you ready to go?”
They dropped Tess’ mom off at Penn Station to catch the train back to Philadelphia. Alice went back to her condo, leaving Sebastian and Tess alone with a pile of presents neatly stacked in the center of the living room.
“What a day,” Tess said as she cuddled with Sebastian. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“It was a little bumpy there for a moment,” he admitted, “but I’m fine. Did you like your gifts?”
“It was too much, Sebastian. I’ll be the best dressed backpacker in Europe.”
“You need a few nice outfits if we’re staying at the Savoy.”
“And God knows where else you’ve booked,” she chided.
“That part is a surprise.”
“I’m so looking forward to it. You were right. I’m exhausted. I need some downtime, and I’m happy to spend the next three months alone with you.”
Alice and Henry hosted a wedding breakfast in their condo, with Sebastian, Tess, and Kate Hamilton in attendance. The group sat around the table, relaxed and happy.
“I can’t believe how calm you look, Tess. I was a bundle of nerves on my wedding day!” Alice exclaimed as she cleared the breakfast plates.