Disgusted with herself, Elsa stormed to the cabinet and pulled out a bag of popcorn. It took her three tries to get it out of the plastic wrap, each more frustrating than the last. She threw the bag in the microwave when she finally managed it, pounding the buttons into obedience.
“Do you need assistance?”
Dante’s voice was right at her ear. At least, it felt that way. She spun around to find him standing next to her. She hadn’t heard him approach.
“I apologize. I did not mean to startle you.”
“It’s okay. I guess I’m still jumpy.”
He placed his hands on her arms. He was too close for her to step aside. “You do not need to worry. I will not let anything happen to you. Not while it is in my power to protect you.”
“I didn’t bring you here to protect me. I can take care of myself.”
She turned around as the microwave beeped, grateful for the excuse to move away from him. Elsa took out the popcorn and set it on the counter, then opened the bag so it could let off some steam.
“I am well aware of this.” There was a bit of an edge to his tone. “As you have repeatedly told me it is so.”
She turned to face him again, leaning against the counter. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that so harshly. This is frustrating, though. You aren’t supposed to be helping me. That isn’t why I brought you here.”
“It is no trouble at all.”
“But it is. You shouldn’t have to worry about any of this. I should’ve had a plan in place. I should’ve had paperwork ready. You shouldn’t be stuck here with Winston and me, taking care of him and making sure that we’re safe. I’m supposed to be doing that for you.”
Dante stepped closer, his eyes the rich blue of deep water as he gazed down at her. “It is an honor to be able to care for Winston and to protect you both. I have never had someone to take care of. Not like this. It warms my heart more than you could ever imagine. Please do not begrudge anyone for that, least of all yourself.”
How was she supposed to keep herself at a distance when he said things like that?
“I appreciate the sentiment, but there are other people you could be taking care of. You should be free to go wherever you please.”
“There is no place in this world that I would rather be than here.”
“You’ve never been anywhere else. How can you possibly know that?”
“Because this is where you are.”
Elsa’s heart felt like it had suddenly swollen and was about to burst. It would be so easy to give in. All she had to do was lean forward and kiss him. The way he was staring at her lips, she knew he was thinking it too, just like earlier.
She should’ve stopped him then, and she knew she should put a stop to it now.
“And this is where I’ll always be.” She smiled, trying to keep the longing she felt from clouding her tone.
A flash of uncertainty crossed Dante’s face. She needed to stop sending him mixed signals. But to do that, she needed to get her heart under control. If only her heart didn’t want him so much.
Chapter Seventeen
The studio doors were open as Dante worked on yet another painting. Natural light poured in from above and filtered through the windows facing the gardens and patio. He and Elsa must certainly have tea outside, if he could convince her to leave Winston’s side for a little while.
Winston was feeling better, and as such, it grew harder to convince him to rest. She had been with him throughout the morning. Dante felt selfish to admit it, but he missed her.
He knew he would not be without company for long. Precisely on time, Jazz appeared in the patio doorway, peeking her head into the studio. She smiled when she saw him, then glanced around.
“Elsa is not here.” Dante touched his mask to be sure it was in place. After Jazz’s initial reaction, he thought it best to wear in her presence.
“She’s with Winston?”
“Yes. But I do not know how long she will be, and they are just down the hall.”
“I know where Winston’s room is.” Jazz stepped into the studio. “I’ve been around here a while longer than you.”
“Of course. I am a bit distracted at present.”
“Let me see.” She walked around Dante, nodding as she viewed his latest work. She pursed her lips and tilted her head to the side. Finally, she smiled. “Oh, yes. I definitely see a future for you.”
He laughed inwardly at her ironic choice of words. If not for Elsa, he would have no future in so many ways.
Jazz turned to face him. “There are others?”
“Yes. These new acrylics dry so quickly.” He pulled out the stack of canvases he’d filled since he arrived.
“What kind of acrylics do you use?” She picked up a tube of paint near his easel.
Dante’s heart fluttered nervously as he realized his error. For all he knew, acrylic paints had been available for decades.
“I suppose they are the common kind. However, I have never worked with them before. Hence, they are new to me.”
One of her eyebrows rose, but she said nothing more. Eager to distract her further, he began showing her his other paintings.
“These are good, Dante,” Jazz said. “Very good. The use of color and the brush strokes…” She leafed through the paintings, pausing occasionally to examine one in more minute detail. “How long have you been here?”
“It will be one week tomorrow.”
“And have you slept since you arrived?”
“A bit.” The nights he had spent with Elsa curled up beside him rose to the surface of his mind. He would certainly sleep more often if he could spend each night in such a manner.
“Well, I’m impressed. You almost have enough for a show already.” She pursed her lips again, no doubt puzzling something out. “I had a last-minute cancellation for an opening show next week. Do you think you could have three more of these by then?”
“At least.”
Jazz smiled broadly. “Then, my friend, we are in business.”
Dante took her hand when she offered it, having studied interactions more closely on various television programs. She shook his hand vigorously and then released him.
“Since we are now business partners, there are a few other matters I would like to discuss.”
“I’m intrigued.” Jazz walked over to Elsa’s writing desk, then leaned against it and crossed her arms.
“The first is a matter of funding. I do not wish to continue to impose on Elsa’s hospitality.”
“You want an advance from the show?”
“Not at all. But I assume you have contacts who appreciate fine pieces.” He took off his mother’s ring and held it out to Jazz. “I should like to find a buyer for this.”
“This is Elsa’s ring. She gave it to you?”
“It is a bit more complicated than that.” He struggled to find a way to explain that would not betray Elsa’s confidences. “Elsa returned the ring to me the night I arrived. It was made by—”
“Heinrich Gerhardt.” Jazz took the ring. She ran her fingers over the intricate design covering its surface.
“You have heard of him?” Dante was unable to hide his astonishment.
“Who do you think found this ring for Elsa? Heinrich was a German goldsmith who only produced for about a decade around the mid-1800s. Which is a shame, really. The man was a genius.”
Dante could hardly believe what he was hearing. It seemed everyone knew more about his family than he did.
“Elsa’s been obsessed with Heinrich’s mistress, Deirdre Lucerne, for years.” She stared at Dante, her eyes slowly widening. “Wait a minute. How could I not have realized? Dante Lucerne. You’re descended from them!”
He let out a breath of relief. He could hardly deny what she said, and it enabled him to protect Elsa’s secret without
lying to Jazz.
“I am.”
“Wow, Elsa really is collecting everything she can get her hands on.”
“I am not an item to be collected by anyone.”
“I’m just teasing. But I get it now. How you guys met and why she’s letting you live here. I don’t get why you want to sell this ring, though.”
“I need to make a fresh start free of debt to anyone. My—” He caught himself before he made another slip. “I believe Deirdre would want me to be able to do so.”
“Do you owe someone money?”
“Not as such. However, I am imposing on Elsa’s generosity. It is not a position in which I am content to remain.”
Jazz grinned. “You know her pretty well.”
“I hope to know her better.” Of all the confessions he could have made, those words did little more than embarrass him. Jazz only grinned the more.
“I bet you do. And I will help with that.”
“You will?”
“Elsa has been alone for a long time. Too long. I think you have a shot with her, so I’m going to back your play.”
“I…thank you.”
Dante could scarcely believe that Jazz thought he had a chance of a lasting happiness with Elsa. He had suspected that Elsa wanted a relationship with him, perhaps even as much as he wanted one with her. Jazz’s words corroborated his theory.
Now that he had an ally in Jazz, he was confident enough to ask his next question. “There is one more thing that would help in that regard.”
“Spill it.”
“I am truly starting over here. My previous situation was untenable. I broke no laws and owed no money, I assure you. However, I find myself in the position of having utterly nothing aside from this ring.”
“You don’t need to worry. Once I sell that ring, you’ll have plenty of money for canvases.”
“My needs go beyond that. Elsa arranged for me to come here and is providing for my needs. As you can imagine, it is not the most favorable position for me to begin courting her.”
“You want to come to her on your own two feet.”
“Precisely. But that is difficult given my circumstance.”
Jazz tucked the ring into the front pocket of her pants. “Just tell me what you need.”
“I am not even certain how to ask. Sufficed to say, when Elsa brought me here, I was required to leave everything behind. Including the man I was.”
Jazz’s brow furrowed, her lips pursing as she pondered his words. Finally, her eyebrows rose and her eyes widened.
“Oh! I get it.” A devilish look that made him a bit uncomfortable swept across her face. “I’m going to have some fun with this. You have come to the right person. You don’t know how lucky you are.”
“I am unsure if—”
She did not let him finish. “No take-backs. It’s done. My business is making people. And I have never had a blank canvas before.” She looked him up and down again and shrugged. “Well, mostly blank. Dante is good. We’ll keep Dante at least. And using your personal circumstances to create this Phantom persona—”
“Was never my intention. Not for my career as a painter.”
She let out a sigh. “Well, you let Elsa play with it, so you have to let me have some fun too. No wardrobe changes or anything until I’ve introduced you around. After your unveiling, you can change your look or let Garrett’s doctor friends do whatever they want to you.”
Dante wasn’t sure what Jazz meant by that. He didn’t have a chance to ask, as he heard Elsa’s voice behind him.
“Jazz? What are you doing here?”
“Elsa! I’m just here to check on Winston.” Jazz walked around Dante, crossing the room to give Elsa a hug.
“In the studio?” One delicate brow was arched on Elsa’s forehead.
“Well, it’d be rude not to say hello to Dante.”
“I didn’t know you’d met.” Elsa’s tone was terse.
Dante was eager to divert the conversation. “I fear I forgot to mention that Jazz stopped by a few evenings ago.”
“That seems an odd thing to forget mentioning.” Elsa turned her skeptical gaze upon him.
“I was preoccupied with other matters.”
“Such as?” She crossed her arms, curiously like the posture he had seen Jazz adopt.
“He was telling me about Winston.” Jazz wrapped her arm around Elsa’s shoulders. “Isn’t that right, Dante?”
Elsa looked back and forth between them, her eyes narrowing. Finally, she turned to glare at Jazz. “What are you trying to drag him into?”
Jazz lifted her hands, her shoulders creeping toward her ears. “Why is it always me?”
“Because you’re always up to something.”
Dante did not wish to be the cause of yet another rift between Elsa and her friends. As much as he wanted to surprise her with his plan, he could not in good conscience let Jazz take the blame for something she was not responsible for.
“The truth is—”
Jazz jumped in before he could finish. “You caught me. I am up to something.”
“What is it this time?” Elsa asked.
“A dance!” Jazz waved her hands through the air as if calling their attention to an imaginary marquee. “Everyone who’s anyone will be there, so of course, you and Dante have to come.”
“We can’t make it.” Elsa’s frown would brook no disagreement.
“Aren’t you going to ask Dante? I’m sure he wants to go.”
He wondered if this was part of what Jazz alluded to when speaking of his unveiling. “By all means.”
Elsa said, “Dante, you don’t know what you’re agreeing to.”
“And neither do you,” Jazz said. “I haven’t told you the best part.”
Elsa groaned. “I know I’m going to regret this, but what would that be?”
“It’s a masked ball.”
“Jazz.” Elsa’s tone turned foreboding.
“You won’t have to worry about anything. I’ll take care of your costumes. I’ll even send a car. But you both have to come.”
Elsa shifted closer to him, her warmth seeping through his shirt. “Absolutely not. Dante just got here, and I’m not going to have you parading him around as part of some marketing ploy.”
“If I might interject,” Dante said. “Jazz has come up with an idea to introduce me to those in your social circle in a manner that I would be most comfortable with. If others are wearing masks, I will not stand out. It is quite a clever idea.”
Very clever. Jazz was both covering for their meeting and attempting to launch his career as an artist.
“Finally someone appreciates me,” Jazz said.
Elsa began to chew on her lower lip, her shoulders hunching as if a weight was settling upon them. He could bear her discomfort no easier than causing strain between the two friends.
“Jazz, if you would be so kind as to give Elsa and I a moment.”
“Sure, I’ll go see Winston.”
“I am certain he shall enjoy your company.”
Dante waited for Jazz to leave the room before closing the distance between himself and Elsa. “Tell me.”
“People will have questions.” Elsa’s voice was tight.
“And we shall have answers. We met through a mutual love of art. Is that not so?”
Her lips twitched up in a wry grin for a moment. He seized on that. He brushed her hair back past her shoulder, then tucked a few stray strands behind her ear.
“This is a chance for me to meet others in a safe manner. It is an opportunity we dare not let slip by.”
Her smile faded. “What if something goes wrong?”
Dante slid his fingers beneath her chin and tilted her head up to him. “What if something doesn’t?”
Chapter Eighteen
&nbs
p; Two of the best days of Elsa’s life passed after Jazz’s visit. In the sunlit hours, Dante painted while Elsa wrote in the studio. They spent their evenings relaxing with books or watching movies.
During meals shared with Winston, Dante would teach them about what he was studying. Elsa knew how to drive a car, but had never bothered to learn about engines. The way Dante explained everything was fascinating. If he decided not to be a painter, he’d make a wonderful teacher.
Winston was doing so much better. Watching him ask questions, thoughtfully nodding as he listened to Dante’s answers, was quickly becoming one of Elsa’s favorite things in the universe. Winston had even started downloading audio books on some of the subjects they discussed, his curiosity piqued by Dante’s enthusiasm.
Garrett’s visits were encouraging too. He had kept his promise and Elsa was beginning to feel more at ease about letting him call off his friend. Nothing bad had come of the private investigator poking around and she felt like she and Garrett were closer than before. Their friendship was stronger from the trust she finally felt able to give him.
The only cloud hanging over her was the thought of Jazz’s dance. It crept ever closer until the dreaded day arrived, along with two large packages. Elsa carried them to her bedroom, hoping to inspect what Jazz had sent before Dante had a chance to see the outfits. He happened past her bedroom door just as she was setting the boxes on her bed.
“Have the costumes arrived?” He joined Elsa by the side of her bed.
“I think so.”
“Allow me to assist you.” Dante opened the first box, stiffening when he caught a glimpse of what was inside. He lifted a white half-mask from within, then sighed. “I begin to understand what you meant by my not knowing what I was getting myself into.”
“She didn’t!” Elsa turned back to the box, picking up the top item of clothing. It was a long black jacket with dark burgundy accents in a satiny fabric. She dropped it back in the box, then turned toward the door. “That’s it. I’m calling Jazz to tell her we aren’t coming.”
Dante caught Elsa’s arm and spun her in a circle till she was facing him again. Elsa stifled the urge to giggle. When she looked up into his eyes, there were playful crinkles at the edges as he smiled. He hadn’t worn a mask since Jazz’s visit.
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