Page 1 of Her Greek Inheritance

Prologue

Paris, France

Two years earlier…

I really don’t belong here.Gemma Larsen swallowed. She’d walked to the hotel from the closest métro station, but the other patrons were arriving in everything from Rolls Royces to Bentleys. As the uniformed doorman bowed to the elegantly attired woman in front of her, she was not surprised to hear the words ‘Your Majesty.’Of course she’s a princess! This place looks like a palace—not an auction house.

The doorman turned to her. Gemma took a deep breath and approached.I wonder what the French is for ‘gate-crasher.’To her immense relief, the man bowed, giving her the same courteous welcome as the other guests. “Welcome, Mademoiselle.”

“Good evening.”

“Enjoy looking at the artwork.” He ushered her in the direction of the exhibition.

As Gemma stepped into the hotel, her conviction that it was only a matter of time before she was sent packing rushed back. Everywhere she looked, she saw celebrities and wealthy patrons. She glanced around at the ornate furnishings, marble tiles, and crystal chandeliers.God, I feel like a street urchin amongst royalty. And yet, the doorman didn’t seem to know I’m merely a pauper.

Just as she was about to run back into the street, she caught sight of herself in a gleaming mirror. She wore a simple black evening dress that ended several inches above her knees. Her arms were bare, while the plunging back revealed more than half her spine. The elegance of the dress was accentuated by her simple black leather pumps and pale white skin. Working in a museum had its advantages, but getting a healthy tan wasn’t one of them. No one gave her a second glance. In fact, a waiter approached her and offered a glass of champagne.

Gemma sipped the drink, feeling her confidence return. “Merci.”She wandered through the massive exhibition hall.

No!As Gemma entered into yet another makeshift viewing room, a painting caught her eye. The Renoir had obviously been damaged by water and sunlight at some point. Even worse was the evidence of a poor restoration job.How could anyone take such a masterful piece of art and do further damage to it?Gemma blinked her eyes, hoping a second glance would reveal something different, but that was not in the cards for this painting.Incompetence. Plain and simple.

She sighed and then turned away. It was her last night in Paris. Time to put her worries aside and enjoy it. Who knew if she’d ever get an opportunity to visit such an amazing place again?

A uniformed attendant approached, inviting her to follow him. “Miss, if you would please? The gallery owner thought you might wish to see the paintings you spent the last few days reviewing auctioned off?”

Gemma nodded. “Yes, I would.” She followed him to a large room. The bidders were seated neatly in rows of chairs. A small watercolor was currently being displayed and she listened as the auctioneer read off her appraisal of the damage and potential cost of the restoration work.

“The bidding will start at two hundred thousand dollars,” the auctioneer declared.

A sea of white cards lifted into the air. Gemma barely managed to contain her gasp of surprise.Two hundred thousand dollars for a damaged painting?

While she was trying to imagine having that much money, the bids continued to climb. The auction ended at one million two hundred thousand dollars.

“Sold to bidder 4675.” The auctioneer nodded to an attendant. The small painting was quickly replaced by the next offering up for bid.

Dazed, Gemma slipped out the side door.These people either really like their art or have more money than Croesus! God, if I had that kind of money I certainly wouldn’t spend it on a damaged painting...

Her mind went back to Tyler’s phone call earlier that day. Her twenty-year-old brother was finishing his third year at university. He’d called with the news that he’d lost his academic scholarship for the upcoming year, leaving a huge shortfall in his tuition.

If he could only be more responsible and think about the consequences of his actions!Gemma shook her head. Five thousand dollars in less than three months’ time...How in the world am I going to come up with that? And what happens if I can’t come up with it? Could I still take out a student loan on his behalf?

She heard the auctioneer’s voice rise as another painting was sold.If I only had a small fraction of the money these bidders do, I could pay Tyler’s tuition for the next ten years.

She wandered aimlessly back towards the viewing galleries, her mind stuck on the problem of Tyler’s tuition. Her phone rang and she paused in a small alcove to answer it. She smiled when she saw Aimee’s photo pop up on her caller I.D. “Aimee.”

“Gem, how is Paris?”

“Beautiful, what I’ve seen of it, anyway. I’ve been busy working since I arrived and I’ve only seen a few things on the car rides back and forth.”

“Aren’t you supposed to come home tomorrow?” her best friend asked.

“Yes, first thing in the morning.”

“Well, what are you doing right now?”

“Wandering around an exhibit of the various art pieces that were part of the auction and thinking of all the things I could spend the kind of money being dropped here tonight on.” Gemma glanced around, but none of the other guests was in hearing range.“I got a phone call from Tyler just before coming here this evening. He lost his academic scholarship for next semester...”

“So? Isn’t it time you let your brother stand on his own two feet?”