Six months later
“I’m amazed at how much insurance premiums drop when you tell them you’re keeping the insured item on a private island.” Vicki took a few steps back to get a better look at the pretty little Vermeer she’d picked up in Brugge. At least she was convinced it was a Vermeer. The gallery owner had attributed it to a minor Dutch painter, but it had a certain je ne sais quoi, and she was pretty sure she could convince the art world she’d found a lost painting by the revered master.
Jack lay on the big leather sofa, holding up a heavy and time-darkened musket. “Insurance. Now there’s a concept.”
“You don’t keep any?”
“Don’t have to when the stuff’s all mine.” He flashed his pearly pirate grin. “And my reputation is my insurance. Everyone knows I collect muskets.”
“And cannons.”
“And cannon balls. And powder.” He laughed. “But the stuff you bring home is prettier.”
“Isn’t she?” The picture showed a young woman, wearing not a pearl earring, but a tiny gold locket. She wondered what secret her locket held. A lock of her beloved’s hair? A love note? Or maybe she was just getting soft in her old age. “I can’t wait to find her a loving home. Preferably a very rich one.”
He laughed. “I love your mercenary streak. Especially because it brought you back into my life.”
“I donated Katherine’s twenty-thousand-dollar reward to charity. I felt it was the right thing to do now that I’m back on my feet.” She pointed to her red Ferragamo sandals.
“And such lovely feet they are. What charity did you pick?”
“A fund for starving artists, of course. Got to keep the pool of talent humming.” She smiled. It felt so good to have money to give away again. Or just to have fun with. The shipwreck treasure was still being removed and cleaned and would bring in millions over the next few years. “Where are we going next?”
“That depends on what we’re looking for—an old wreck or a valuable painting.”
She lifted a brow. “Or a valuable painting disguised as an old wreck by the passage of time.”
“We’ve had such good luck finding both already that it’s hard to decide. Did they ever hear from the Scottish Drummond who supposedly has the base of the cup?”
“Not a word last I heard. He’s some financial bigwig who spends all his time in Singapore.”
“I’d have thought Cousin Sinclair might be able to launch an appeal to a fellow money man.”
“I don’t think Sinclair is all that interested. Those financial types don’t appreciate quirky treasures and their mysteries the way you and I do.”
“True. And as far as I know, James Drummond is still single. Finding his third of the cup could spell the end of that.”
She laughed. “Maybe that’s why he doesn’t want any part of it.”
Jack put down his musket and strode across the room. He slid his arms around her in that deliciously proprietary way that still made her gasp with excitement. “He doesn’t know what he’s missing.”
“I don’t suppose anyone does until love blindsides them when they least expect it.” She ran her thumb over his rough cheek. “I certainly didn’t think I’d fall madly in love again. Especially with the same man who broke my tender young heart.”
“Lucky for me you’re rash and impetuous enough to make the same mistake twice.” He kissed her lips, sending a shiver of pleasure through her. “I love a woman who isn’t afraid to wade into trouble.”
“How do you do that to me?” She writhed as he nibbled her earlobe, sending shock waves of arousal dancing through her.
“I’m a keen student of your erogenous zones.” He touched a thumb to her nipple through her thin blouse. It immediately thickened under the pressure. “I’m drawing a mental treasure map of them.”
“That will lead you right to where X marks the spot?”
“Oh, I already know where that is.” He growled softly in her ear, sending a rush of heat to her groin. “Let’s go explore it right now.”
Together they ran down the corridor, bare feet noiseless on the stone flags, and climbed onto the ancient carved bed where they’d spend countless nights making love under the secret map they’d found together.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from Up Close and Personal by Maureen Child