Page 87 of Beyond Her Manner

“Yes, it is,” Viola replied flatly. “Millions, apparently.”

Gillian opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Her mind was whirling again. Viola didn’t appear to be joking; there was an unfamiliar gravity to her demeanour and serious lines etched on her face.

“Thankfully it wasn’t itemised on the schedule, so legally, it’s mine.”

“Youlegallyown the painting?”

“Yes.”

Too restless to sit anymore, Gillian stood and began pacing the room. The answer to all her problems had been right under her roof all along. How could she have been so blind? The loss of the manor was entirely her fault, and now, with the painting discovered, Viola owned that as well. How could such a thing even be possible? The thought sent a surge of anger and confusion through her, making her tremble.

“That’s a good thing. My solicitor said if it formed part of the covenant we would be in a sticky situation. As it isn’t, and it is mine, I have asked him to draw up a formal document confirming it was passed to me with the sale of the estate… and that I am now giving it to you.”

Gillian turned and stared at Viola in disbelief.

“If you sell the painting, it will give you more than enough money to buy back the estate. You can have your material possessions back and everything important to you — including your title. I hope they make you happy.”

She ignored Viola’s dig. As much as she wanted it all back, she wouldn’t accept charity.

“I can’t accept such agift.”

“I’m notgiftingit to you, Gillian. I’m returningyourproperty toyou. If you wish to have it back.”

Their eyes locked.

“I do,” Gillian replied softly, unsettled by the formality of their conversation.

“Good. It’s rightfully yours regardless of legal ownership, and I can put that right. I’ll have my solicitor get in touch with you, and he’ll give you some contact details for people who can help you sell it. He can then arrange the sale of the estate back to you, once you’ve sold the painting. Is the price I paid you acceptable?”

“You don’t want more?” Gillian questioned, her brow furrowing. “You put a lot of work into it.”

“Work you didn’t approve of, so no, it doesn’t feel right to increase the value,” she said with a firmness Gillian didn’t feel she could debate. “Here is my solicitor’s card.”

Gillian took it, her fingers brushing against Viola’s. The brief contact sent a jolt through her as she examined the name and number.

“Thank you,” she murmured, feeling grateful and yet uneasy.

“Maybe we can walk back along a path after all. You can return to where you belong. A time before…”

Was she about to add the word ‘me’? Her forlorn expression spoke for her. Gillian wasn’t sure she wanted to return to exactly where she had been, though she possibly wanted to be somewhere close. She wasn’t even sure she could regreteverything that had passed. It had brought Viola to her door after all, even if she was about to exit back through it.

“I appreciate you bringing this to my attention.” As she spoke, she realised how formal she sounded too. Was this what they had been reduced to? “Where will you go?”

“First back to my flat in London, and then I’m heading to Australia for a tour. I’ll head over early, acclimatise to the heat… and being alone again.”

Gillian’s stomach tightened as they fell into silence. It was hard enough coming to terms with the thought of Viola leaving Kingsford, let alone being on the other side of the world.

“When will you be back?”

“Around Christmas time.”

Gillian nodded.

“Then I’ll head to America after the new year until the spring, then onto Europe.”

“I’m happy for you, that you have a packed schedule. Something to keep you busy.”

“Me too. The distraction will be… welcome,” Viola replied quietly, with a strained smile.