6
Carter slipped out of his bedroom and paused at Celia’s closed door. He could hear her on the phone talking to Matthew, telling him about Holly’s home in the countryside and about Anthony the parrot. Her laughter made him grin. She was happy here, and that was what mattered right now.
Not wanting to eavesdrop, he decided to explore the house a bit more before turning in. The halls were decorated with expensive, old Renaissance paintings. It wouldn’t surprise him to learn some of these originals were by Italian masters. He paused to examine a Roman marble bust tucked away in an alcove. He’d always thought the way the artists left the eyes blank was a little disconcerting. He’d read that most antique marble busts and statues had once been painted, but one couldn’t detect those colors wit
