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Hissing under her breath, Toni stepped up onto the kerb and inside the porch.
A brass plaque set into the old stone read: ‘Elstrom and Sons. Map-makers’ in the most stunning cursive script.
Blowing out hard, Toni rolled back her shoulders and tried to think positive thoughts. A flutter of nervous apprehension winged across her stomach.
This was so ridiculous.
She was here to paint Scott’s portrait. That was all. The small fact that he did not actually want his portrait painting was not important.
Much. She peered through the tiny squares of thick old glass set into the door but couldn’t see a thing—no lights or movement.
She ran her hands down the front of her raincoat and lifted her chin, stretched her hand out and rang the doorbell.
Instantly a low buzzing sound came from the door and a green light flashed.
Oh. Right. Security door. Well, that made sense.
She turned the handle, pushed the door a little and stepped inside.
Water dripping from every part of her, Toni shook the rain from her hair and instantly inhaled the glorious deep, rich aroma of antique wood, polished leather and that certain delicious muskiness that came from old manuscripts and bound books.
Laughing and half choking in the slightly dusty air, a sudden smile caught her unexpectedly.
Strange, Toni thought. That smell. It was so distinctive. She inhaled deeply and instantly recognized it. Of course. Her mother used to have a tin of beeswax and linseed oil mixed with lavender under the sink and brought it out whenever she dusted her father’s studio, which wasn’t often, considering how rarely any flat surface remained uncluttered with paperwork and art exhibition catalogues and letters and, occasionally, bills.
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