Marcus reacted with outrage. ‘That painting was bought with my money,’ he yelled. ‘I only took what I was owed.’
Finally, an admission!
‘But as we’ve already established, this isn’t the original painting,’ Nadia pointed out, cutting short Lexi’s joy.
Marcus swung around to face Nadia. ‘What are you on about?’
‘My colleague has examined the work and confirmed it’s a copy.’
‘A copy?’ Marcus looked dumbstruck. ‘But … that’s impossible.’
Nadia’s eyes narrowed. ‘Are you saying the painting you submitted was the original, Mr Aldridge?’
‘I know it was.’
‘Then may I enquire as to why you listed it as a copy?’
That got him.
Marcus fumbled around for an answer. ‘Well … what does it matter?’ he blustered. ‘It’s my painting, I can do what I like with it.’ He switched to attack mode. ‘But if that’s not the painting I submitted, then where’s mine?’ His eyes travelled down to the carry case by Lexi’s feet. ‘She must have swapped it. Ask her what’s in there.’
Lexi’s insides flipped. Her world was about to come crashing down.
But Olly intervened. ‘Even if the original painting is inside the carry case, it makes no difference. Ms Ryan is the registered legal owner.’
‘Exactly,’ Tasha said, stepping towards Marcus, intimidating in her black suit. ‘It’s your word against hers. Can you prove she bought the painting with your money?’
Her sister was playing a dangerous game mentioning the money, but Marcus stood to lose as much as she did if the authorities got involved. Tasha knew that, which was probably why she was calling his bluff.
Sophie inspected her nails in a nonchalant fashion. ‘Even if you do have a valid money claim against Ms Ryan, you’ll need to present your argument in court and let a judge decide about ownership. Until then, possession remains with the purchaser.’ She subjected Marcus to a patronising smile. ‘My cousin’s a barrister. I could call him, if you like?’
Marcus looked furious. His fists were bunched and the veins in his neck pulsed.
Nadia turned to Lexi. ‘Do you have proof of ownership?’
Lexi removed the ownership papers from the front of the carry case and handed them over, trying to hide the shake in her hands. ‘You’ll find they’re all in order.’
Nadia read through them. ‘The registered owner is Miss Natasha Ryan,’ she said, turning the page. ‘Purchased from Ms Alexia Ryan …’ She raised an eyebrow. ‘This morning?’ She looked between Lexi and Tasha. ‘That’s rather convenient.’
‘Not really.’ Tasha lifted her chin. ‘My sister purchased the painting on my behalf. We’ve only recently got around to amending the paperwork and transferring funds.’ She shot Marcus a warning look. ‘I’m afraid any ownership claim will be against me,’ she said, folding her arms. ‘Not my sister.’
Marcus looked close to combusting. ‘It’s a scam! They’re in it together.’
‘That’s as maybe,’ Nadia said, handing the papers back to Lexi. ‘But the paperwork appears to be legitimate. I won’t be pursuing the matter further. You’ve wasted enough of my time as it is.’
Marcus adopted an air of outrage. ‘I’m not listening to this rubbish any longer.’ He strode for the door. ‘I’m returning to the auction, where I expect that painting,’ he pointed at the Woman at the Window, ‘to be sold as listed. I’ve been inconvenienced enough.’
‘One moment, please.’ Nadia instructed the security guard to stop him leaving.
‘What now? You said it yourself, that painting’s a copy. It doesn’t belong to her,’ he said, pointing at Lexi. ‘So why can’t I sell it?’
‘Because I’ve yet to see proof that it belongs to you, Mr Aldridge.’ Nadia looked annoyed. ‘You’ve admitted this isn’t the painting you submitted for sale. If you’re asking me to reinstate it, I need to ascertain that you’re legally allowed to sell it. Can you provide such evidence?’
Marcus faltered.
Nadia checked her watch. ‘I’m waiting, Mr Aldridge.’
‘He’s not the registered owner,’ Olly said, glancing at Lexi. ‘I am.’
Nadia’s agitation switched to annoyance. ‘And you’re only mentioning this now because?’
Olly shrugged. ‘Because you’ve only just asked the question about ownership,’ he said, totally unfazed. ‘I sent the painting to Ms Ryan in the hope she might offer me representation. I can only assume whoever broke into the gallery stole the wrong painting. Or both. Who knows?’
Nadia frowned. ‘Are you saying that you’re the artist?’
‘If you remove the frame you’ll see my signature on the reverse of the canvas.’
Nadia sighed. ‘Fine. But if this is more time-wasting, I will be calling the police. I’ve had enough of this nonsense.’ She nodded at the bespectacled man, who removed the frame and held up the canvas.
True enough, signed on the back were the words Dazed & Confused, June 2018.
‘I’m Dazed & Confused,’ Olly said.
‘Right now, so am I,’ Nadia said, shaking her head.
‘He’s telling the truth.’ Lexi felt it was necessary to back him up, even though she was still angry with him. ‘I’ve seen preliminary drawings of his other work.’
Nadia turned to Olly. ‘Do you want the police contacted?’
Olly glanced at Lexi, indicating it was her call. When she shook her head, ignoring her sister next to her who was frantically nodding, he said, ‘No, I don’t.’
‘Would you like the painting returned?’ Nadia asked.
‘You might as well include it in the sale as it’s been listed.’
Nadia sighed. ‘Fine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an auction to get back to. John, please escort these people from the premises and ensure they leave.’
Lexi wasn’t about to argue. She was happy to get out of there.
They were ushered out of the office by the security guard, who led them through the auction room, which was still buzzing with activity. They’d reached Lot one hundred and one, which meant the Woman at the Window would be up soon. Lexi was curious to know how much it would sell for. But her desire to escape was greater.
The five of them were unceremoniously removed from the building and ended up on Thistle Street. Lexi didn’t care. Their plan had worked … of sorts. She had her precious painting back.
Marcus turned to her. ‘You think you’re so clever, don’t you? Well, this isn’t over. I want my money.’
Tasha went for him. ‘Why you—’
Lexi grabbed her sister’s arm. ‘It’s okay, Tash. I’ve got this.’ It was time to have it out with her ex-husband once and for all. She was tired of lying. Tired of keeping secrets. This ended now. She turned to her ex-husband, glad of the passing traffic noise and bustle of a busy Edinburgh street. ‘What money would that be, Marcus?’
‘You know damn well what money. The cash you stole from the house,’ he said. ‘Admit it.’
He was right. It was time to come clean. ‘Okay. I admit it. I took twenty-seven thousand pounds from the house.’ There, she’d said it. It was quite liberating to say it aloud.
He looked pleased with himself. ‘I knew it!’
‘I took the money, Marcus. I didn’t tell anyone, or declare it to the official receiver as I should’ve done. Instead, I bought the Woman at the Window. I lied when I told you it wasn’t the original.’ There was something cathartic about purging her sins. But to achieve proper closure, he needed to admit his wrongdoing, too. ‘A painting that you later stole from my gallery, Marcus.’
‘I didn’t steal anything—’
‘You admitted it in the auction house, Marcus.’
Tasha stepped towards him. ‘We all heard it, scumbag.’
‘It’s not stealing if you’re taking back what’s owed. You refused to hand over my money, so I took the painting.’
‘But it wasn’t your money, was it, Marcus? It was
the proceeds of a life insurance policy you took out and surrendered without my knowledge.’
‘Prove it.’
‘I don’t need to prove it, Marcus. Because I have the painting.’ She lifted the carry case. ‘You were right. I did switch paintings.’
He tried to grab it, but she moved it out of the way.
‘I want my money back!’ he yelled. ‘You owe me!’
Tasha and Sophie simultaneously blocked his path when he tried to reach Lexi.
He seriously thought she owed him? The man was delusional.
Perhaps it was having the back-up of three other people. Or because she didn’t have to hide the truth anymore. Either way, she realised Marcus no longer had a hold over her. It was a liberating thought.
‘You’ve taken everything from me, Marcus. You’ve cheated on me. Stolen from me. Defrauded me. And nearly lost me my gallery. I don’t owe you a damn thing.’
His expression turned indignant. ‘You reported me to the tax man.’
‘No, I didn’t.’
‘You cost me my business.’ His voice cracked. It was the closest thing she’d seen to genuine emotion. ‘Now give me that painting.’
When he lunged for the carry case a second time, the force knocked her off balance and she hit the wall behind, knocking the wind from her lungs.
‘That does it!’ Tasha punched Marcus, sending him reeling backwards. ‘Lexi didn’t report you to HMRC. I did.’
He staggered backwards, rubbing his jaw. ‘I might’ve known. You never thought I was good enough for your sister.’
‘Well, you’re not.’ Tasha glared at him. ‘Thank you for proving me right.’
Olly helped Lexi up from the pavement. She turned to thank him, but he’d already walked away. Odd.
Marcus took a step towards Tasha. ‘You know your problem? Jealousy. You couldn’t stand anyone coming between you and your precious twin. Even before my business got into trouble you were trying to split us up. You couldn’t stand seeing her happy, could you?’
Lexi wasn’t sure what Tasha would have done if Sophie hadn’t stepped between them.
‘Back off, mate.’ Sophie’s voice was deathly quiet. ‘Or you’ll have me to answer to.’
Tasha tried to get past Sophie. ‘You’re a lying, cheating scumbag, Marcus. You were never good enough for my sister. I’m just glad she’s realised it for herself now. Come anywhere near her again and you’ll regret it.’
‘Is that a threat?’
‘You’re damned right it is!’ Tasha lunged forwards, but Sophie held her back.
Lexi rushed over before her sister annihilated her ex-husband. ‘As soon as I get back to Windsor, Marcus, I’m selling the Woman at the Window and paying off the official receiver. I could fight it and take legal action to prove I knew nothing about the insurance policy, but I’m not going to do that. You want to know why? Because I want you out of my life once and for all.’ She looked him squarely in the eye. ‘Consider this my parting gift. You get to return to Cindy in Spain and I get to move on with my life without constantly looking over my shoulder, wondering when the bailiffs will turn up. We’re quits, Marcus. I don’t owe you anything and you don’t owe me. Agreed?’
When he tried to argue, Sophie raised her hand. ‘Accept the deal, mate.’
He must have seen the steel in her expression, because he faltered and straightened his grey jacket as if trying to regain his composure. ‘Fine, you win. But don’t think just because I’m not in your life you’ll be happy. As long as she’s around,’ he said, pointing at Tasha, ‘you’ll never be happy. No man will ever be good enough.’
Sophie took him by the arm. ‘Time to leave.’
Tasha took his other arm and they ‘escorted’ him towards the train station.
Lexi watched them go, thinking what great bouncers Tasha and Sophie would make. Thank God she had them in her life … Well, Sophie would be in her life soon. With any luck.
Spent adrenaline had zapped her energy. She turned to Olly, hoping for a heartfelt makeup scene like they have in the movies, when they’d run to each other, passionately kiss and vow never to fight again. It’d been the only thing keeping her going.
Even though she was angry with him for lying to her, he’d followed her to Edinburgh to retrieve her painting. Compared to Marcus, he was a saint. A slightly dodgy saint. But underneath the charming rogue exterior was a decent, kind-hearted man, who she’d be a fool to walk away from. He was nothing like Marcus. And she’d been an idiot for thinking otherwise.
But any ideas of a romantic reunion evaporated when she saw the expression on his face. Far from looking like a romantic hero about to sweep her off her feet, his gorgeous face was etched with anger. ‘You stole twenty-seven thousand pounds?’
She hadn’t expected that. ‘Technically, yes. But it wasn’t stealing—’
‘What was it then?’ He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Revenge? Payback? What?’
It was hard to explain. ‘Marcus owed me.’
‘Right.’ He laughed, but it wasn’t a humorous sound. ‘That’s supposed to make it okay, is it?’
Why was he so irate? She was the injured party. ‘You don’t understand.’
‘You’re right, Lexi. I don’t.’ He moved towards her, hurt flashing in his blue eyes. ‘All this time you’ve been questioning my honesty, wondering whether you can trust me, and the whole time you were no better than I was.’
‘That’s not true—’
‘Isn’t it? What was it you called me? The blue-eyed thief.’ His voice cracked. ‘Well, turns out I wasn’t the only one.’
She moved towards him. ‘But I had good reason.’
‘Perhaps I had good reason, too. Ever think of that?’
No, she hadn’t. But then, why hadn’t he told her what it was? She wasn’t a mind-reader. And anyway, his misdemeanours were way worse than hers. ‘I wasn’t the one who lied about their cousin being Dazed & Confused.’
‘No, but you did lie.’ He looked so wounded she had to take a step backwards. ‘You kept going on about how I broke into your gallery. How I couldn’t be trusted. And the whole time you were hiding a secret, too.’ He pointed a finger at her. ‘You know what you are, Lexi?’
She was too afraid to ask. Tears were threatening.
‘A hypocrite.’
His words made her flinch.
‘A lying, thieving, hypocrite.’
As she watched him walk off, her legs buckled and she slumped onto the cold, hard pavement. She might have her painting back … but she’d lost Olly in the process.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Tuesday 3rd July
Olly’s back was killing him. Along with every other part of him. He ached from the blisters on his toes to the stretched tendons in his fingers. Even his eyes hurt – although that was mostly from the effort of trying not to blub. He refused to give in. But the effort of not wailing like his namesake, Baby Olly, had constricted his throat, making it difficult to swallow. He didn’t care. He was glad to be suffering. And despite having spent the last eleven years hating himself for hurting his sisters, this was a whole new level of self-loathing.
He picked up another hay bale and carried it over to the feeding troughs, wincing when his back went into spasm.
It had been a week since the disastrous events at the auction house. His anger had abated but his remorse hadn’t. The image of Lexi’s hurt expression haunted him. Sure, he’d been angry, justifiably so. But he shouldn’t have been so cruel. He’d behaved like a jerk.
He emptied the hay into the troughs and hastily retreated so he didn’t get trampled on by stampeding Shetland ponies. One broken leg in the family was enough.
He swept the area, pushing the discarded hay and manure into a pile. Abusing his body seemed to be the only way of dealing with his shame. He’d barely stopped all week. If he wasn’t mucking out the animals, he was running chores for Louisa, or helping Gilly in the kitchen. He’d spent his evenings working on the mural in Baby Olly
’s nursery and sketching ideas for future paintings. He’d even started work on replicating Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. Anything to stop his mind torturing him. He’d fallen into bed each night exhausted, only to wake the next morning still riddled with guilt.
Aside from his emotional misery, it felt strange to be painting again. He’d resisted for so many years, denying his talent by way of punishing his mother. He now realised how shortsighted that had been. He loved painting. He always had. Not painting wasn’t an option. And now it seemed like there was money to be made from it.
His copy of the Woman at the Window had sold at auction for seven thousand pounds. He was still reeling from the shock. Not a bad return for two days’ work. And then he’d been contacted by a wealthy art collector, who’d commissioned him to paint five Renaissance replicas for her properties around the world. He’d never heard of the woman, but Sophie had done some digging and discovered she was a prominent businesswoman who’d been at his mother’s exhibition. When she’d phoned him to commission the work, she’d waxed lyrical about his preliminary sketches, claiming to have fallen in love with his ‘twisted’ infamous images and calling him ‘refreshingly modern’. He’d only believed it was a genuine offer when ten thousand pounds had landed in his bank account as a down payment. Something he was still trying to get his head around.
He went over to the water pump and attached the hose. It was a warm day, the high sun burning the back of his neck. He sprayed the ponies as they fed and refilled the water butts.
Coupled with the money raised from selling their mother’s paintings, it meant they had more time to decide what to do about the future of Rubha Castle. They were no closer to agreeing on which property to sell, but with Sophie back at the Windsor townhouse, the arguments had yet to resume.
Louisa’s leg was being X-rayed this morning. With any luck, the orthopaedic boot would come off, and she’d be able to escape the wheelchair and return to managing the estate, something she was keen to do. Things would soon return to normal. For a while, at least.
As for him, his love life might be dead in the water, but at least he’d decided on a career path. Painting replicas was a profitable business. It would enable him to support his family and fulfil his desire to be creative. He had no idea what the future held, but one thing he did know was that he needed to step up and help his sisters deal with whatever was coming down the line. He’d never be a traditional earl like his father, but maybe he’d be a modern, ‘twisted’ version, like his paintings.
Secret Things and Highland Flings Page 25
