Under the Brazilian Sun

by Catherine George

  ‘I’m just taking off the dirt. You’ll only see a difference when I get to the overpaint.’

  ‘I did not expect him to look worse than before,’ he admitted.

  ‘I look worse, too,’ she said ruefully as they walked back to the house. ‘I need a scrub.’

  ‘I shall wait on the varanda,’ Roberto said. ‘There is no hurry.’

  ‘Yes, there is,’ she contradicted. ‘I must get back to work.’

  His lips twitched. ‘You enjoy your detecting so much?’

  ‘I do.’ She could have added that in this case it was almost unbearably exciting, but said nothing in case she was wrong.

  Over lunch, Roberto told Katherine that he would be out for most of the following day. ‘Be sure to stop and rest often. I shall tell Lidia to see to this.’

  ‘Oh, I will,’ she assured him.

  ‘Have you any thoughts yet about the hand that painted our young man?’ Roberto asked, filling their coffee cups.

  ‘At this stage it’s hard to tell. After I’ve cleaned the canvas I’ll remove some of the overpaint to look for signature brush strokes. They function like fingerprints to identify the painter. But I’ll only do enough to form an opinion. If the painting is valuable I’ll leave the rest to the restorer James uses most, a lady with the necessary experience. Unless there is someone else you have in mind, of course.’

  ‘I have not. It was my intention to leave all in Senhor Massey’s hands. But I would trust you to do all, Dr Lister,’ he added with formality.

  That was a relief! ‘It’s very kind of you, but I’m an art historian, not a professional restorer. Besides, I can’t stay here that long.’

  ‘You are so eager to return to England? You have a lover waiting there for you?’ His eyes gleamed as colour rose in her face at the sudden descent into the personal.

  ‘I have a friend, yes. But I was referring to my job,’ she said frostily.

  He raised an eyebrow. ‘I am sure Mr Massey would allow you to stay if I asked.’

  Katherine finished her coffee and stood up. ‘That’s up to him.’

  ‘If he agreed, it would cause problems in your private life if you stay here?’ Roberto got up more slowly, jaw clenched at the effort.

  ‘None at all.’ None that mattered compared to the painting, anyway. She looked at her watch. ‘Time I got back to work. I’ll just run up to my room for my laptop.’

  ‘I shall see you at dinner. I will not walk with you to the estufa because I know well I am too slow for you,’ he said sardonically.

  Guilty because he was right, Katherine managed a smile. ‘I’ll look forward to reporting to you at dinner.’

  Not as much as I shall, thought Roberto, as he watched her racing up the stairs. His initial hostility towards her was receding rapidly, leaving him with a growing desire to know the efficient Dr Katherine Lister better. The Quinta was a beautiful, peaceful haven, but lonely. He smiled bitterly as he limped back to his rooms. At one time he had longed for privacy and time to himself. His mother had told him many times to be careful what he wished for in case the wish was granted. And, as always, she was right. He would gladly pay James Massey whatever he asked for more of Katherine’s time, if only to look forward to conversation with her over dinner. She was a rare type of woman in his experience, expert in the subject which interested him so greatly. And if his scar repelled her she hid it well. He smiled a little. It was unusual to meet a woman who made no effort to use her physical assets to attract him—a novelty compared to the old days. And she had obviously never heard of him, though this was not surprising. His career had been cut short before it reached the heights once hoped for.

  Katherine remembered to have a word with Lidia on her way out again, and learned that there was a bathroom on the ground floor for visitors, which would be kept for her sole use during her stay.

  ‘Perfeito!’ Katherine said, smiling, having looked the word up in the pocket dictionary acquired for the trip. She settled down to work with new zest now the first stage of cleaning was over.

  With a canvas in dirtier condition Katherine would have repeated the cleaning process, but due to the time factor she moved straight on to the next stage. Beginning on a section on the subject’s coat, she set down a piece of card with a small window cut in it, then dipped a cotton wool bud in acetone and set to work within the aperture. The effect was electrifying. The overpaint had obviously been applied well within the past fifty years or so because it dissolved like magic within the tiny frame, revealing much lighter pigment underneath. Katherine went on moving the cardboard frame fraction by fraction, applying acetone as she went, and then took a photograph to email to James for his verdict, and sat back in one of the chairs for a break.

  James rang her almost at once. ‘You are having an interesting time. That’s genuine eighteenth century pigment by the look of it. But ten to one you’re going to find damage somewhere. Ask de Sousa whether you should carry on.’

  ‘He’s already talking about my staying on here to do that, if you’re agreeable.’

  ‘Is he now?’ There was a pause. ‘As a matter of interest, how old is he, and is there a Senhora de Sousa?’

  ‘He’s thirty-something, and if there is a wife she doesn’t live here. Bye for now.’

  A shadow fell over the steps as she disconnected and Katherine turned, to find Roberto watching her.

  ‘Perdoa-me, it was not my intention to listen, but—’

  ‘You heard what I said.’ Her face heated.

  He nodded. ‘Your lover is jealous that you are living in my house?’

  ‘I was talking to James Massey!’

  His face relaxed slightly. ‘Your employer was asking about me?’

  ‘Yes. Sorry about that.’

  ‘Por que? It is natural he feels responsible for you.’ Roberto turned as Jorge arrived with a tray. ‘I shall join you here for tea.’

  She raised an eyebrow. ‘And check on what I’ve been doing?’

  ‘Exatamente,’ he agreed.

  ‘It’s not a lot. I go very carefully at this stage.’

  Roberto leaned to inspect the small area she indicated. ‘You photographed only this small section?’ he said, astonished, and sat down next to her to look over her shoulder. ‘I can see that the paint is lighter there. That is important?’

  ‘Crucial. James agrees that it looks like genuine eighteenth century pigment.’ Katherine filled both cups as she began. ‘So do you wish to ship the painting to James’s restorer right away, or shall I carry on until I have a clearer idea of what’s under the overpaint before you send it away for repair?’

  ‘Repair?’ he said sharply.

  She nodded. ‘There may be damage of some kind, rips in the canvas, even holes.’

  Roberto blenched. ‘Deus! If so, is repair possible?’

  ‘Oh, yes. The restorer James uses is a miracle worker.’

  ‘But if you remove this overpaint, Katherine, could you then give your opinion on the artist?’

  ‘I could probably do that much, yes. But it would just be an opinion,’ she warned. ‘So do you wish me to carry on?’

  ‘Yes. It would please me very much if you continue until our young man is revealed in his true colours. Further decisions can be left until then.’ Roberto got up. ‘I shall leave you to your detective work.’ He turned at the top of the steps. ‘When your Mr Massey rings again, tell him the only Senhora de Sousa in my life is my mother. I once had a wife for a short time many years ago it is true, but alas no longer.’

  Katherine winced. ‘I’m so sorry—’

  ‘No, you mistake me,’ he said coolly. ‘Mariana is not dead. She divorced me.’ His eyes locked on hers. ‘Also tell Mr Massey that you are safe here. No harm will come to you in my house.’

  Face still hot after he left, she found it hard for a while to resume her usual concentration. Next time James rang she would make sure no one was in earshot. But, to her intense annoyance, it was Andrew who rang a few minutes later.


  ‘Why the hell haven’t you called me, Katherine?’ he demanded. ‘Surely you knew I would be worried?’

  ‘I texted to say I’d arrived—’

  ‘Then obviously forgot all about me!’

  ‘You could have rung me if you were that concerned.’

  ‘It was your place to ring me, Katherine, in the circumstances. You took off with barely a word of apology about spoiling the trip to Glyndebourne!’

  She gritted her teeth. ‘For heaven’s sake, Andrew, James was ill and needed me to take his place. It was an emergency! We can go to Glyndebourne any time.’

  ‘I see,’ he said stiffly. ‘James is obviously far more important to you than I am.’

  Enough, thought Katherine. ‘I haven’t got time for this—’

  ‘No! Please. Don’t ring off,’ he broke in, his tone suddenly conciliatory. ‘I’m sorry, darling—’

  ‘Can’t talk any more now; I must get on. Bye.’ Before he could interrupt again, she switched off her phone.

  Katherine felt so annoyed it took a while to get back into her groove again, but at last she began working at her usual speed, until a combination of fading light and a message from Roberto via Jorge brought her to a halt.

  ‘Senhor Roberto says perhaps finish now, Doutora,’ said the man tactfully.

  Katherine looked at her watch and sat back with a sigh as she removed her goggles and mask. ‘I’ll just clear up and cover the painting. Can you ask where it should be stored overnight, please?’

  ‘Sim, senhora. Then I come back for your equipment.’

  ‘You can leave the work box and tripod here overnight. I’ll just take my camera and laptop.’ She grimaced as she indicated the overflowing bag of swabs. ‘Sorry about the mess.’

  He shook his head, smiling. ‘Nao importa.’

  Katherine put her solvents and tools back in the box, then put her glasses on and turned back to the painting with mounting optimism. Tomorrow, she promised the young man silently, I’ll know for certain who painted you. Maybe—though this is a long shot—I’ll even know who you are.

  ‘Dr Lister,’ said Roberto, coming up the summer-house steps, ‘you have worked too long—’ He stopped dead as he saw the painting.

  ‘Don’t worry. I know it looks a mess like that, but by the time I’ve finished your boy will look a lot better, I promise,’ she assured him and began to wrap the canvas very carefully. ‘Where will you put him overnight?’

  ‘In the sala. Come, I shall show you.’ Roberto took the canvas from her so reverently Katherine had to hide a smile.

  ‘When you first saw the painting, what appealed to you about it?’ she asked as they crossed the hall. ‘It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.’

  ‘Something about the subject’s face called to me very strongly, even through the medium of the Internet. I always visited art galleries whenever I could because painted portraits fascinate me. These days, I visit them through my computer.’ He paused before double doors at the end. ‘If you will open them, por favor, Katherine.’

  She went before him into a large, formally furnished drawing room, where the painting to one side of the fireplace caught Katherine’s eye. The subject, a young girl in a gauzy white dress, smiled dreamily from the canvas. ‘Who is she?’

  ‘I do not know her provenance,’ said Roberto with regret. He crossed the room to lay his canvas down on an escritoire. ‘The label was “Portrait of a Young Girl”, artist unknown, and therefore cost little. She is charming, but to me she looks lonely.’

  ‘So you bought the young man as company for her?’

  He nodded. ‘He would look good facing her, no?’

  ‘He will do when he’s been restored. Have you never researched your pretty lady?’

  ‘No. When I bought her I was ocupado—busy—and had no time.’

  ‘Whereas you’ve gone to great expense as well as time to find out more about your young man!’

  Roberto nodded. ‘Because I hope I know the artist.’

  ‘Who?’ Katherine demanded.

  His eyes danced, lighting up his face to an extent which made her blink. ‘Ah, no! I await your opinion before I risk mine, Doutora.’

  ‘Fair enough—you’re paying.’

  ‘Because this is true, I insist you rest before dinner.’ He gave her a commanding look. ‘Jorge goes with me tomorrow, but I have told Lidia to make sure you do not work too hard while I am gone.’

  Had he indeed! ‘I get totally absorbed and forget the time,’ she admitted. ‘But when you see your young man again tomorrow he should look very different. Will you be away all day?’

  He shook his head. ‘I shall return in time to dine with you.’

  ‘This is a beautiful room,’ she remarked as they moved towards the door.

  ‘But formal, no? I prefer my apartamento at the back of the house. I can be untidy there without risking Lidia’s wrath.’

  She laughed. ‘That’s hard to imagine!’

  Roberto nodded in wry agreement. ‘I am fortunate such good people care for me.’ He paused as he held the door open for her. ‘While you are here they will care for you also, and not just because it is my wish. Both Jorge and Lidia think you are a very charming young lady.’

  To Katherine’s surprise, she felt her face flush. ‘How very sweet of them.’

  Roberto regarded her with pleasure. ‘Que maravilha! A lady who can blush!’

  ‘Not something I do very often,’ she assured him, embarrassed.

  ‘Perhaps it is because you are tired. Rest now. You wish to dine on the varanda again?’

  ‘Yes, please.’ She walked quickly up the stairs, but this time turned to look down before heading for her room and, to her annoyance, found her face heating again as he gave that graceful bow of his before turning away.

  In her room, Katherine stripped off her clothes impatiently. This blushing business had to stop right now. Overpoweringly attractive though her client might be, she was here purely on business. She ran a deep bath instead of a shower and lay back in it, frowning. It was only twenty-four hours since her first encounter with Roberto de Sousa. He had been put out at first because she was a woman, yet now, unless she was mistaken, he was beginning to enjoy her company. Of course that might not be such a big deal from her point of view. Maybe he’d not had much contact with women since his accident, due to the scar he was so bitter about. Yet she was so used to it, already she hardly noticed it. He must have been outrageously handsome without it—probably had to beat women off with a stick. But she was here purely to do a job. And tomorrow, by the time he came home from wherever he was spending the day, she should know whether her instinct was right about the artist. If it was, her job would be done and she could ask for transport to Viana do Castelo as her reward, a prospect which was not nearly as pleasant as it should have been.

  A rest on her bed during the day was a novelty to Katherine. A lie in on Sundays was the nearest she ever came to one. But life here at the Quinta das Montanhas was dangerously addictive. It would be all too easy to get into the habit. She wondered if Roberto did the same. He’d mentioned an apartment at the back of the house so perhaps he had a ground floor bedroom—easier for his leg than tackling the beautiful stairs all the time. She was deeply curious to know what had happened, but it was pointless to get too interested in him. Once she’d finished here she would never meet Roberto de Sousa again. Besides, a man who came from a cattle-ranching background in Brazil, with a holiday home like Quinta das Montanhas at his disposal, lived on a different planet from Katherine Lister, art historian and researcher.

  This conclusion did not rule out looking a bit more appealing to have dinner with Roberto. Katherine considered the sexy green dress, but in the end went for ivory linen trousers worn with heels and a bronze silk tunic. She let her newly washed hair hang loose to her shoulders, added a touch more make-up than before and, after a moment’s hesitation, decided against her glasses. She was ready and waiting when a pretty dark girl knocked on her door
.

  ‘Pascoa,’ she announced, smiling shyly as she pointed to herself. ‘Senhor Roberto waits, Doutora.’

  ‘Obrigada, Pascoa,’ said Katherine, smiling, and followed the girl downstairs to the hall, where Jorge was waiting. ‘Good evening,’ she greeted him.

  ‘Boa tarde, Doutora. Lidia is cooking the carne de porco,’ he explained as they crossed the hall to the veranda. He opened the doors and ushered her outside. Roberto was leaning in his usual place at a pillar, his eyes on the garden. He turned quickly as she joined him, his eyes wide in involuntary shock which acted like balm on her bruised ego.

  ‘You look…most charming, Doctor,’ he said when he’d regained the power of speech. ‘It is hard to believe you have been working all day.’

  ‘Not all day. I’ve been lazing on the bed in the guest room for the past hour.’ She smiled. ‘Something I never do at home.’

  Roberto pulled out a chair for her and gestured to the wine resting in its silver bucket. ‘You would like this again?’

  ‘I would. Thank you.’

  ‘So how do you spend your evenings in England?’ he asked as he filled their glasses.

  ‘At home alone, I make supper, do some ironing, watch television or read.’ Katherine pulled a face. ‘Nothing very exciting.’

  ‘And other times someone takes you out to dinner?’ he asked, easing himself down in the chair across the table.

  ‘Yes. Or I go out with friends—female gender,’ she added.

  ‘But one of your friends is a man, nao e?’

  ‘More than one.’ She grinned. ‘I share a house with two of them; an arrangement much disapproved of by the man who currently takes me out to dinner.’

  Roberto’s lips twitched as he offered her morsels of toast spread with paté. ‘He is jealous?’

  Katherine thought about it. ‘Andrew wants me to move into his house instead.’

  His eyes gleamed between enviable lashes. ‘Do you wish to do that?’

  She shook her head. ‘Absolutely not. My house really is mine. My father left it to me. And my tenants pay me good rent to share it, and the three of us get together with other friends occasionally for a drink or a meal, which I enjoy very much. Great paté, by the way,’ she added.