The Antique Love by Helena Fairfax Read Free Book Online Page B

though he was astonished at the response himself, and Penny had to bite back a smile. She wasn’t the slightest bit surprised he’d had a lot of female interest. Kurt was strong-minded, courteous, considerate, and a successful financier. He came across as real hero material. The only surprise was that the internet hadn’t crashed across Europe as soon as his profile went online.
    “Fine, maybe I’m asking the wrong sort of questions,” she said. “Maybe something more about what style of house you like.” She wrinkled her brow. “Something about your personal taste. Or I know. Which artists have you been to see in London?”
    For the rest of the meal, they kept the topics light. Although Penny had realised a while ago that Kurt’s simple exterior was deceiving, she was surprised at his wide-ranging knowledge. He talked in a thoughtful, interested way about the shows and exhibitions he’d viewed during his time in London. She found they had a lot of shared interests, and even discovered that on one occasion, they must have been in the same art gallery at the same time without realising it.
    When a companionable pause fell in the conversation, Penny leaned back in her chair. They’d been talking for quite a while, but it was one of those conversations where neither person revealed much personal information. There’d been a moment—a small opening in the conversation—when she could have told Kurt about her own background. Kurt had asked about her family and all sorts of responses flashed through her mind. As usual, though, she’d decided to gloss over her mother’s identity and merely informed him her parents had died tragically young without elaborating.
    Her gaze lit on the gilded mirrors along the wall behind Kurt, and she saw her troubled features repeated over and over as her reflection disappeared into the distance in front of her. Her frown deepened. Penny was open-hearted by nature, but past experience had taught her to be cautious. She’d been on the receiving end of a range of unpleasant reactions when she’d let fall her mother was Megan Rose. Some thought she was a name-dropper, some were jealous, some thought she was trying to use her mother’s name to build up her business. Some people even believed she was making it up, and that it was all just another sign of her over-active imagination. Still, she knew instinctively that none of these reactions would fit Kurt.
    She brought her gaze back from the mirror. Kurt was quite still, lost in thought, his eyes on some point outside the window behind her. She examined his sturdy profile and knew straightaway it would be impossible to tell him the truth. She couldn’t bear for that instant look of incredulity to cross his face, that reaction which was always closely followed by embarrassed pity. Penny had no film star looks, and she knew it. All she wanted was to be treated as a person in her own right. And she knew as soon as she said her mother’s name, she would lose all confidence in herself. Penny Rosas would be second-best to her mother’s memory once again.
    She let out an involuntary sigh, and Kurt turned immediately, the light from the window trailing dusty gold over his blonde head.
    “Everything okay?” He bent toward her. “Guess you should be heading back to the shop.”
    He regarded her silently for a moment, and the dusty ray of sunlight caught them both in the same wide shaft. He gave a slow, warm smile.
    “I’ve enjoyed our lunch,” he said, breaking the pause. “I knew I’d gotten the right person when I chose you. Here’s to working together.”
    Penny raised the remains of her orange juice. “Here’s to your happy home.”
    She smiled, and her glass sparkled in the pale sunlight from the window.
    * * * *
    Daniel Rosas was in the kitchen making a start on the evening meal when his granddaughter arrived home after work, rain-soaked and weary.
    “Hello, love, you’re early.” As usual, he brightened at the sight of her.