Page 51 of Marked By Moonlight

Clearly, that was an A-plus answer in Anastasia’s book. Before long, they were laughing and chattering like old friends. I quickly lost the plot as they discussed artists, movements, and paintings the way some people talked about sports teams, players, and incredible plays.

“If you could commission any artist from any era to paint any subject, what would it be?” Anastasia asked next.

Mina laughed. “Well, seven-year-old me would ask Franz Marc to paint a unicorn or a pegasus.”

Anastasia flashed an indulgent smile. “What would you ask for today?”

Mina thought it over, gazing out the window. “Does it have to be a famous artist?”

Our hostess shook her head.

Mina cleared her throat, but her voice was still a little husky when she spoke.

“I would ask my father to paint a family picnic at my grandmother’s house. And I would like to stand beside him and talk while he worked.”

Anastasia sat quietly, picking up on Mina’s bittersweet tone. A lump formed in my throat, because she’d brought me to that picnic spot not too long ago and shared the memories that made it so special.

Your grandmother’shouse,huh?I threw the tease into Mina’s mind to lighten the moment.

Should I have said château?she shot back while sipping her tea.

No one would think you snobby,I pointed out.Not in this neighborhood.

“Your father was an artist?” Anastasia asked.

“He was an art historian, but he painted in his spare time.” Mina flashed a sentimental smile, then turned the question back on Ana. “What painting would you commission, and by which artist?”

Ana smiled slyly. “I wouldn’t have to. I already have the painting I would wish for.”

Mina bit her lip, then quietly ventured, “I would love to see it.”

She hit exactly the right tone, not too pushy or eager. Just another passionate art lover, like Anastasia.

Anastasia waved to the cakes and sandwiches. “Please, help yourself first.”

Was that a yes or a no to seeing the painting?

Mina might have been burning with the same question, but neither of us had eaten for hours, and she tore into a triangular cucumber sandwich, then devoured a second one. Tuna.

Saliva pooled in my mouth, but neither Anastasia nor Mina took mercy. I sighed.

Eventually, Anastasia folded her napkin daintily and got down to business.

“Lovely chatting with you. Truly. But I did ask Gordon for an expert to help me with my painting.”

I winced. It would kill Mina if this fell apart before she could see the mystery painting. Even if it didn’t prove to be anything much, her curiosity was definitely piqued. It was like leaving a dragon to stare at a locked treasure chest. Torture, in a word.

Mina nodded. “I understand. But since you were, er…careful about sharing the details of your painting…”

I held back a snort. That was putting it mildly.

“…Gordon didn’t know which expert to contact,” Mina continued. “So he asked me to make a preliminary assessment. That will allow him to be equally discreet when it comes to engaging a respected expert to authenticate your piece.”

“Oh, it’s authentic. I guarantee it. But my late husband taught me to always ask myself, how do I know whether a person is trustworthy?”

Mina flashed a tight smile. “I ask myself that all the time.”

I tensed. Did that mean me?