Rosalind looked at the long line of paintings. “Sure. Look behind the frames and let me know if you see anything strange.”
“We’re not going to be able to reach the paintings up there.” She pointed up high. “We need a chair or something to climb on.”
“I can ask for a ladder when we get to it.” She pursed her lips as she looked up. “I’ll ask for a broom, too. It looks cobwebby.”
The teenager shrugged and began checking behind the paintings. Rosalind watched her inspect one. She’d expected the girl to give it a quick glance and then move on, but Chloe surprised her by being thorough—running her hands along the frame and the backing, like she was feeling for suspicious bulges.
Satisfied, she recommenced her own search.
Chloe broke their companionable silence. “You don’t like it here, do you?”
Rosalind glanced at her. “Why do you think that?”
The teenager shrugged as she looked behind a painting. “This is the first time you’ve been back, isn’t it? I heard Mum and Dad fighting about it.”
Frowning, she stopped and faced her niece. “Your mother and father were fighting over me?”
“Mum wanted to ask you over for dinner and Dad told her she couldn’t, because you obviously didn’t care about her anyway. Is it true you never call?”
“I call.” Sometimes. She felt a pang of guilt for not being in touch more, though her sisters weren’t much better, except for Beatrice. “Your parents were fighting?”
“They’re always fighting,” the teenager said in a disinterested voice that suggested she wasn’t as detached as she acted.
Was Viola having marital problems? Was that why she’d looked drawn?
“This is boring.” Chloe stopped suddenly and stepped back. “I’m done.”
Rosalind bet it was her parents’ fighting she was really done with. But she nodded. “Thanks for helping.”
“Good luck finding your diamonds. If you find weed, let me know.”
“Right.” She shook her head and continued to search on her own.
Chapter Nine
Luca whistled, his gaze wolfish as he stalked toward her. “Nico, I think I’m in love.”
Nick followed more slowly behind his rival. “You say that each time.”
“This time, I mean it.” The Italian shook his head. “Look at her curves.”
“She looks wide.”
“She’s voluptuous.” Brow furrowed, Luca turned to face him. “I always have to remind myself that you’re British and therefore can’t appreciate the true female form.”
“I’m being practical.” Nick shook his head at the Lamborghini. “London streets are narrow. Can you imagine navigating her through them?”
“Caro, in this car, people move out of your way. I bet she growls and claws when you turn her on.” Luca hummed deep in his throat, smiling like he eyed a new lover.
Nick was about to reply when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He withdrew it, frowning when he saw the unfamiliar number. Holding a finger up to Luca, he walked out of the dealership to answer the call. “Hello.”
“Nick, it’s Rosalind.”
He paused, his heart catching at the sound of her voice. How had she gotten his number?
Summer, of course.
“I take it you’re not happy to hear from me,” she said in a self-deprecating tone.
Sighing, he rubbed his neck. “I shouldn’t be happy, Rosalind, but I’m ecstatic.”
“So ecstatic you’re willing to rescue me?”
“Is this a ploy to get my clothes off?”
She laughed, a light chuckle that warmed his belly. “You should be so lucky. No, it’s a serious plea. I need to get some work done, and my sister is making it impossible to think. I thought maybe you could pick me up and take me someplace interesting.”
“Interesting,” he repeated, suspicious.
She sighed. “You drive a hard bargain, Nick. Fine, this will be a nonsexual outing. This time. See you in half an hour.” She hung up.
He stared at his phone. He guessed he was going to pick her up.
Luca grinned knowingly. “That was a woman, and you want her.”
“You sound sure of that.”
“Of course I’m sure. I’m Italian.” The man shrugged. “You looked hungry when you talked to her. What did she say?”
That she wanted his clothes off, but he wasn’t going to pass that on to his rival. “She was just checking in.”
Luca faced him, his curiosity peaked. “You’re interested in this woman. What is she like?”
“Fat and ugly, and she wears man shoes.”