little bewildered by this familiar greeting.
Ten years ago, Professor Lucia Wright had supervised Kate for her PhD in Medieval and Elizabethan history at Oxford and the pair had become friends. It had been Lucia who had recommended the young historian to private collectors in Hong Kong and Dubai, as well as several industry publications, after she graduated. Whenever Lucia was stateside and Kate was home in Boston, they would meet. It had been a little over four years since they’d caught up in person. Neither had had the slightest premonition back on that sunlit morning over espressos and panini that Kate’s life was about to implode …
Turning to face her mentor once more, she said, ‘I’m fine.’ A half-truth. A lump started to form in her throat. She smoothed the curl at her temple back into her ponytail.
‘When Jane called to say she was hoping to commission you to write the exclusive piece I was thrilled. You deserve this …’ Lucia tilted her head to the side. ‘Make no mistake, Kate—you were granted access because your research work is the best. I know you will give these pieces the coverage they deserve.’
Kate swallowed and met her mentor’s eyes with a silent thanks. A shadow on the far wall caught her eye. She glanced across the room, straining to see the fine gold and enamel floral chain a dark-haired woman was stitching very precisely onto a velvet-lined board.
‘We have the handful of pieces you requested laid out for you in the locked room next door. Hard to narrow it down from over four hundred items, isn’t it?’ Lucia gave a sympathetic smile. ‘The photographer is running late, I’m afraid. He came straight from Heathrow. Front desk is just trying to work out what to do with his surfboard.’ She tapped her left foot in frustration as she looked at her watch.
‘The photographer is Marcus Holt, I gather?’ Kate tried to keep her voice even, but Lucia caught her rolling her eyes.
‘You know him?’ Lucia’s eyes met Kate’s and she cocked an eyebrow.
Everyone knew Marcus Holt’s reputation as an energetic photographer who shot cover stories for every prestige publication, from Vogue to National Geographic.
‘Of course! Jane introduced us a couple of years ago at a jewellery fair in Hong Kong. We’ve worked on a few stories …’ Kate shrugged. ‘He’s Australian,’ she added, as if that should explain everything.
Lucia’s eyes met Kate’s.
‘He’s very relaxed …’
‘Clearly!’ Lucia looked at her watch.
‘He doesn’t just get it done, he brings out the beauty—the magic—in his images. Marcus sees things other people miss.’
‘Excellent. Hopefully you’ll discover something new while you are in London.’ Lucia’s brown eyes twinkled with encouragement.
There was no need to mention the sketches tucked neatly into the back of her notebook. Not yet, anyway.
‘Hope he gets here soon. I have to be at a board meeting in thirty minutes, then in the city for the rest of the afternoon trying to convince our major donors to chip in for this new site. You’re coming to the party tonight at The Goldsmiths’ Company, I hope?’
‘Of course,’ Kate replied. ‘Sophie sent me an invitation as soon as I told her I was coming to London.’ She heard a card tap, a security beep and a click as the door unlocked.
‘Professor Wright. So sorry I’m late.’ The tall photographer strode into the room, black camera bag flung over one shoulder. He took Lucia’s slender hand in his and beamed. Uncombed sandy hair just brushed his shoulders and his dark eyes shone. ‘I’m Marcus Holt. Thrilled to be here. Thanks so much—’
Lucia cut him off briskly as two pink apples appeared on her cheeks. ‘Happy to have you.’ She gave a little cough to clear her throat. ‘And you know Dr Kate Kirby, of course.’
‘Of course! Hello, Dr Kirby.’
He turned towards Kate and gave her a quick peck on the cheek, his unshaven face abrasive against her skin. He smelled of sweat and salt water.
She eyed his crumpled linen shirt and couldn’t help herself. ‘Did you surf here?’
‘Might as well have. Delays at Heathrow …’ He dropped his smile for a moment, eyes apologetic. ‘Hey, I’m really sorry to keep you waiting.’ He casually swung the camera bag onto the table and grabbed a second bag from the security guard. ‘Thanks, mate.’
Lucia was back to business and keen to be on her way.
‘Now let me introduce you to our team.’ She beckoned to the pair of women who had paused in their work at Marcus’s arrival. ‘This