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Authors: Joan Kilby
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stared at it until dots danced in front of his eyes. She didn’t like being told no but he could bring a hint of metal to his voice too. “The assignment will have to wait.”
“You presume too much on our friendship.” Now the cold steel had frosted over with ice.
Fabian remained mute. There was nothing to be said.
“Why?” she demanded.
Why was he refusing her? What could possibly be more vital than the task she had for him? They were valid questions. “I can’t tell you.”
There was a long wintry silence, giving him ample time to reflect on how much he missed their hot-blooded trysts. Since they’d ended—and if it had been up to him, they never would have—the heat between them had been subsumed by professionalism, replaced by a cordial amity. At the slightest discord even that surface friendliness sealed over with a layer of ice. Did she ever regret breaking off their relationship?
Finally, she said, “You have three days.”
Three days. Fabian shut his eyes, the metal cigarette lighter cooling in his palm. It wouldn’t be nearly long enough.
Chapter Six
Breathless from running, Maddie flew through the alley door into the workshop at ten-fifteen the next morning. Quickly she reset the security alarm and flung her purse onto the bench. Late, late, late… From the shop came the buzz of dozens of voices.
“Where have you been?” Grace demanded, hurrying in from the shop. “Everyone’s here—reporters, photographers, customers—we’re all waiting for you.”
“My alarm didn’t go off. Sorry, sorry, sorry.” Maddie began digging in her purse for her brush. “Has Kim already set the Rose? I wanted to be here for that.”
“We were running out of time so he went ahead without you. The diamond is in the display case, all ready for the unveiling. Hurry, the crowd is getting impatient.”
“You should have started the press conference without me.” Maddie pulled her hair into a ponytail, anchoring it with an elastic band.
“You’re the gemologist. I know the basics but only you can answer technical questions.” Grace picked a speck of lint off Maddie’s pink sleeve. “Where did you get this awful jacket? Look at those wide lapels!”
“It was Mum’s. I love it. It goes perfectly with my outfit.” She smoothed the hem on the patterned sweater vest she wore beneath the jacket and over a flowered dress.
“Never mind,” Grace said, waving away her niece’s fashion horrors. “We have good news. The Sultan of Brunei made an offer from photos and grading reports alone. William Franklin accepted. They signed an agreement and a deposit has been made.”
“So exciting!” Maddie squealed, hugging Grace. “Is the deal being made public?”
“William is giving a press conference later this morning. He said we could ‘allude’ to an impending sale.” Grace stepped back to look at her and brushed a loose hair off her sleeve. With a gentle shove, she said, “Hurry, now.”
Maddie was propelled into the store, Grace at her heels. A TV camera swiveled in her direction. The crowd surged forward. Half a dozen cameras were held on high as journalists jockeyed for position in the roped-off area around the Rose’s display case. Curious onlookers stood four deep behind the media.
Maddie took a deep breath and smiled nervously. When she found herself scanning the crowd for the sight of a dark head above an impeccably cut suit, she told herself not to be an idiot. If she wanted anyone here, it was Rolf.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Grace announced loudly. The hubbub settled to a low hum then became quiet. “I’d like to introduce our resident gemologist and diamond expert, Dr. Madeline Maloney, who discovered the rough diamond from which the Rose was cut. It’s thanks to her and Ogilvie Diamonds that Grace Jewelers is able to display the most magnificent fancy pink ever to come out of Western Australia or, indeed, the world. Without further ado, here’s Maddie to tell you about the
“You presume too much on our friendship.” Now the cold steel had frosted over with ice.
Fabian remained mute. There was nothing to be said.
“Why?” she demanded.
Why was he refusing her? What could possibly be more vital than the task she had for him? They were valid questions. “I can’t tell you.”
There was a long wintry silence, giving him ample time to reflect on how much he missed their hot-blooded trysts. Since they’d ended—and if it had been up to him, they never would have—the heat between them had been subsumed by professionalism, replaced by a cordial amity. At the slightest discord even that surface friendliness sealed over with a layer of ice. Did she ever regret breaking off their relationship?
Finally, she said, “You have three days.”
Three days. Fabian shut his eyes, the metal cigarette lighter cooling in his palm. It wouldn’t be nearly long enough.
Chapter Six
Breathless from running, Maddie flew through the alley door into the workshop at ten-fifteen the next morning. Quickly she reset the security alarm and flung her purse onto the bench. Late, late, late… From the shop came the buzz of dozens of voices.
“Where have you been?” Grace demanded, hurrying in from the shop. “Everyone’s here—reporters, photographers, customers—we’re all waiting for you.”
“My alarm didn’t go off. Sorry, sorry, sorry.” Maddie began digging in her purse for her brush. “Has Kim already set the Rose? I wanted to be here for that.”
“We were running out of time so he went ahead without you. The diamond is in the display case, all ready for the unveiling. Hurry, the crowd is getting impatient.”
“You should have started the press conference without me.” Maddie pulled her hair into a ponytail, anchoring it with an elastic band.
“You’re the gemologist. I know the basics but only you can answer technical questions.” Grace picked a speck of lint off Maddie’s pink sleeve. “Where did you get this awful jacket? Look at those wide lapels!”
“It was Mum’s. I love it. It goes perfectly with my outfit.” She smoothed the hem on the patterned sweater vest she wore beneath the jacket and over a flowered dress.
“Never mind,” Grace said, waving away her niece’s fashion horrors. “We have good news. The Sultan of Brunei made an offer from photos and grading reports alone. William Franklin accepted. They signed an agreement and a deposit has been made.”
“So exciting!” Maddie squealed, hugging Grace. “Is the deal being made public?”
“William is giving a press conference later this morning. He said we could ‘allude’ to an impending sale.” Grace stepped back to look at her and brushed a loose hair off her sleeve. With a gentle shove, she said, “Hurry, now.”
Maddie was propelled into the store, Grace at her heels. A TV camera swiveled in her direction. The crowd surged forward. Half a dozen cameras were held on high as journalists jockeyed for position in the roped-off area around the Rose’s display case. Curious onlookers stood four deep behind the media.
Maddie took a deep breath and smiled nervously. When she found herself scanning the crowd for the sight of a dark head above an impeccably cut suit, she told herself not to be an idiot. If she wanted anyone here, it was Rolf.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Grace announced loudly. The hubbub settled to a low hum then became quiet. “I’d like to introduce our resident gemologist and diamond expert, Dr. Madeline Maloney, who discovered the rough diamond from which the Rose was cut. It’s thanks to her and Ogilvie Diamonds that Grace Jewelers is able to display the most magnificent fancy pink ever to come out of Western Australia or, indeed, the world. Without further ado, here’s Maddie to tell you about the
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