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Chapters (86)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise
  3. Booklist
  4. Dedication
  5. 1
  6. 2
  7. 3
  8. 4
  9. 5
  10. 6
  11. 7
  12. 8
  13. 9
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  84. 80
  85. 81
  86. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Mr. Kulshan shot Adam a triumphant look that clearly said See? Clarice Burbage calls me by my first name.

The actress-distraction was why the two men were surprised when the door opened and a middle-aged, handsome, casually dressed woman with cropped red hair walked in.

Mr. Kulshan made a sound of disgust. “Her.”

3

HER WAS ANGELICA LINDHOLM.

Angelica had inherited the Tower and, by extension, most of the property in Gothic. After a brief career as a model and minor actress, she seized the moment to tell women how to organize their lives. When that proved to be a success, she taught crafts, cooking, gardening, housekeeping and decorating.

Who knew women wanted to be told how to properly arrange a pantry? Certainly not Adam. Yet Angelica —a woman in her sixties, fit, well-dressed, with impeccably cut and styled red hair—had made herself and her operation a brand name.

A harried-looking, twentysomething woman carrying a clipboard, computer tablet and briefcase trailed after Angelica. She took her burdens to the table against the back wall and placed them on one of the two chairs, then went to consult with Ludwig.

Angelica took the occasion to tour the restaurant, speaking to the young couple who looked startled and confused (the man) and thrilled (the woman.)

To Mr. Kulshan Angelica said, “I hope the arthritis in your feet has improved. Did you use the balm I made for you?”

Mr. Kulshan virtually sprouted porcupine’s quills. “Yes, yes, I use it.” He added grudgingly, “Helps. Thank you.”

“Let me know when you need more, and I’ll have Veda deliver it to you.” Angelica smiled in self-congratulation. “Mr. Ramsdell, good to see you out and about.” She moved toward Clarice’s table.

Mr. Kulshan muttered, “Why don’t you ask a little louder so everyone in the place knows I’ve got toes that look like knobby tree roots?” Only, as before, he was louder than he realized.

Angelica stiffened and paused.

She might be able to tell women how to live their lives, but every man in Gothic got his back up when she spoke in tones that insinuated they must be fans...or idiots. That patronizing comment about being out and about... Adam read it as a criticism of his private lifestyle. And who was she to talk? After speaking with Clarice, she made her way to the back table and seated herself, and while Veda carried boxes of flower arrangements to the conference room, Angelica poured coffee, ordered breakfast and scanned her notes.

Adam stood. “Good chatting with you, Mr. Kulshan. Enjoy your sweetbread.” As soon as he returned to his table, Ludwig disappeared into the kitchen, then reappeared with a large pot of strong coffee, a small pot of heated cream and a bowl of cubed brown sugar. He poured the coffee into the waiting mug, added the exact amount of cream Adam required and dropped in one sugar cube. He examined Adam’s face, then added another cube.