“Why do you care so much, anyway?” he demanded, straightening.

“Because your grandfather is right. You are extraordinarily talented. You shouldn’t be hiding it.”

“I’m not hiding.”

“Is it true what he said? That you once wished to exhibit your work?”

“Those were the stupid ramblings of a child. That child grew up and watched his father and grandfather fail at that same dream over and over.”

“So when you promised him this afternoon that you would exhibit your work, you were lying?”

“You don’t understand.”

“You’re right. I don’t. Is it failure that you’re afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid of anything. Jesus, just because you convinced me to sell you two paintings doesn’t mean you get any further say in my life or my career.” He seemed angry.

“But I—”

“And may I remind you that while we are here on a mutual…quest for information that may have involved both our ancestors, you are simply my client.”

“Right. A client.” Her stomach dropped. “And one who has overstepped. It won’t happen again.”

Gabriel looked up at the ceiling and closed his eyes.

“Why did you ask me here?” Lia asked.

He opened his eyes but didn’t look at her. “I wanted you to see my studio. All my clients are entitled to see where their pieces will be handled.”

“No, I meant why did you ask me to Millbrook?”

He shook his head, at Lia or at himself, she couldn’t tell. “As my client, I thought that you were also entitled to whatever answers we might find here. The art is still at the epicenter of this, as well as whatever history might be associated with your grandmother.”

“Ah. An extra service, as it were, then.”

“No. Yes. That’s not—You’re making it sound awkward.”

He had no idea.

“Then what is your intention? To examine the letters we found here today and forward me any pertinent information that references my grandmother and her hidden collection that you may subsequently find?”

“Um. Yes. Though if we haven’t found any traces of your grandmother here yet, I don’t know that we will. I may be able to shed some light on what happened to my aunt but there doesn’t yet appear to be a connection of any sort to the art.”

“I see.” Lia nodded. “Very well, then. We should probably get going. If we leave now, I may be able to make a late flight back to Paris. I can be in Seville in two days. It will give me more time to prepare for the interviews.”

“So that’s it? You’re just going to leave?”

“Is there a reason to stay?”

Gabriel ran a hand through his hair, the movement jerky. “What about the collection?”