Gemma helped Celeste move the carved Louis XV mirror onto the sales floor. For the first time all season, the humidity forced Celeste to close the front door and turn on the air conditioner. When she turned around, she did a double take, looking at Gemma’s necklace. “That’s lovely,” she said.

Gemma touched the copper butterfly hanging from her necklace. The New York Times photographers had shown up that morning for their scheduled shoot, and she’d made sure to wear her latest piece.

“Thanks,” Gemma said. “I found it at the first estate sale you took me to.”

“Very creative.”

“I was thinking . . . maybe I could sell them in the store?”

“Sell what in the store?”

“My jewelry. Maybe a small table display near the counter?”

“But it’s an antiques store.”

“Yes . . . I know. But every charm is repurposed from an antique or a collectible. The only things that are new are the necklace and bracelet chains I’ve designed for them to clip onto.” She held out her wrist.

“I’ve made a point of not selling jewelry,” Celeste said, crossing her arms. “It’s nothing personal. Your pieces are beautiful. It’s just not the business I want to be in.”

The front door opened, letting in a gust of damp air and Elodie.

“Can I interest you in a Louis XV mirror?” Celeste said cheekily.

“No. The only thing I’m interested in is your signatures on this contract.” She slammed a document down on the counter.

Celeste shook her head. “Do you have to nag me about this every day?”

“That’s the plan. There’s one way to put an end to it: just sign.”

“I’m going to get my cards read later today. Let me check and see what the climate is for major decisions. I told you I wanted to wait until Mercury—”

“And I’m telling you, this can’t wait another day. Whitmore’s wants to announce the auction. And if we can’t move forward because you two are holding it up, I’m sure they’d be happy to announce that to the press instead. So, if you want that kind of attention, Celeste—by all means keep holding me up. And, Gemma, I’m sure it will be great for your jewelry career to be the one denying the world a chance to bid on some of the world’s most important pieces.”

Elodie turned on her heels and stormed out, the contract still on the counter.

“Please, don’t sign that,” Gemma said. “She’s up to something.”

“Oh, Gemma,” Celeste said with a sigh. “You need to let go of that diamond. It’s toxic.”

Gemma shook her head, emotion welling in her chest. “Not to me it’s not.”

Celeste’s expression softened. She moved closer and put an arm around her niece’s shoulders. “I think we need to pay a visit to Maud.”