Guildhall Guardian: Thamesian #1 (Thamesians) Read Online Free Page A
Author: Aidan Ladsow
sizzle with something electric.
"My secret, Ms. Di Terzi.''
*
He had dismissed the bulk of his bodyguards only to keep his most trustworthy of them, Tennys, who stood by the glass door. The gallery was superbly lit, he could give credits to his manager.
When he had parked before the Guildhall, Gioia's eyes had widened. She did not expect that. Maybe she would deem him an old bore, obsessed by his workplace and prisonner of the Guildhall's walls.
It wouldn't be untrue.
The light of the porch flickered, he would have to see to that.
"Welcome to the Guildhall." he said but this time it wasn't strictly business and his voice was hoarser than usual.
He knew the place beguiled her, it had brought them together in the first place.
*
It was crazy. A private visiting of the Guildhall's art gallery, a place I did not access last time. It was like Christmas morning for me. I passed through the glass door with deference, holding my breath as I stepped into the gallery.
With a perfect perfunctory gesture his bodyguard had handed us glasses of champagne. Roydon Thamesian knew how to welcome his guests.
It was a narrow, long room, seemingly neverending, with Piestistic paintings and artefacts.
Illuminated manuscripts and fresco paintings.
"As you can see" said Roydon with a gesture of the hand "We own several treasures of the Medieval and Renaissance periods, here you have a Bayeux Tapestry. Most of them are officially state propierty but I also acquire others personally."
He sounded very posh and very sexy.
"Legally?"
Yes Roydon Thamesian would be the kind of guy who outlaws the law and buy paintings for his personal profit. He was totally that guy.
"At some point, in Art dealing and business, money do outweights legal matters. I am sure you are familiar with the concept. But my goal is to make art affordable and spread it to the public, many children come and visit the gallery."
I nodded, now entranced by a specific piece.
"Oh you have discovered The Werl Triptych."
"Campin's finest work. And you have it with its center panel."
I extended the hand, completely drooling before this altarpiece, it has been one of my favourite of all times since the beginning of my College studies.
To have it before my eyes, within reach was unbelievable. I wanted to feel it.
Roydon's hand caught my wrist gently.
"Can't touch, you scoundrel."
Oh my, I had forgotten the most basic law of them all.
"Sorry. Got carried away."
Blushing from my blunder, I felt the pressure of Roydon's fingers sear my skin.
He didn't remove his hand. His skin was cool and nice to the touch.
We locked eyes for a brief moment and I let my imagination go berserk thinking he was about to back me against the wall. His amber eyes were flickered with green dust. His darker stubble was contouring his lips and his set, chiselled jaw.
His phone buzzed and he immediately let go of my hand.
Whoever was calling him had very interesting news for him because it had him absorbed to the point of tension, his face handsomely stern.
"Right. Very well, I am on it immediately." He said before hanging up quickly.
"Something important coming up?" I asked.
*
Brand's Cambridge informant had proved efficient after all, finding a mortal hacker prodigy who had caught an emitting signal from the wine delivery. When Roydon had it tracked down, it stopped near Cambrigde, but the guy had caught a very poor signal much closer. The signal had not moved or diminished for 4 hours, it would mean one the delivery lorries had been stopped. Warwick Castle. The bloody wine was doing his own tourist visit in Warwick.
He looked at Gioia who stood watching him, expecting an explanation. She was so beautiful as a temptation, he had almost snapped. He was dying to give in and latch his hands into her hair and kiss her until the break of day.
But he couldn't, not now.
"Yes, very urgent business. Tennys will drive you back
"My secret, Ms. Di Terzi.''
*
He had dismissed the bulk of his bodyguards only to keep his most trustworthy of them, Tennys, who stood by the glass door. The gallery was superbly lit, he could give credits to his manager.
When he had parked before the Guildhall, Gioia's eyes had widened. She did not expect that. Maybe she would deem him an old bore, obsessed by his workplace and prisonner of the Guildhall's walls.
It wouldn't be untrue.
The light of the porch flickered, he would have to see to that.
"Welcome to the Guildhall." he said but this time it wasn't strictly business and his voice was hoarser than usual.
He knew the place beguiled her, it had brought them together in the first place.
*
It was crazy. A private visiting of the Guildhall's art gallery, a place I did not access last time. It was like Christmas morning for me. I passed through the glass door with deference, holding my breath as I stepped into the gallery.
With a perfect perfunctory gesture his bodyguard had handed us glasses of champagne. Roydon Thamesian knew how to welcome his guests.
It was a narrow, long room, seemingly neverending, with Piestistic paintings and artefacts.
Illuminated manuscripts and fresco paintings.
"As you can see" said Roydon with a gesture of the hand "We own several treasures of the Medieval and Renaissance periods, here you have a Bayeux Tapestry. Most of them are officially state propierty but I also acquire others personally."
He sounded very posh and very sexy.
"Legally?"
Yes Roydon Thamesian would be the kind of guy who outlaws the law and buy paintings for his personal profit. He was totally that guy.
"At some point, in Art dealing and business, money do outweights legal matters. I am sure you are familiar with the concept. But my goal is to make art affordable and spread it to the public, many children come and visit the gallery."
I nodded, now entranced by a specific piece.
"Oh you have discovered The Werl Triptych."
"Campin's finest work. And you have it with its center panel."
I extended the hand, completely drooling before this altarpiece, it has been one of my favourite of all times since the beginning of my College studies.
To have it before my eyes, within reach was unbelievable. I wanted to feel it.
Roydon's hand caught my wrist gently.
"Can't touch, you scoundrel."
Oh my, I had forgotten the most basic law of them all.
"Sorry. Got carried away."
Blushing from my blunder, I felt the pressure of Roydon's fingers sear my skin.
He didn't remove his hand. His skin was cool and nice to the touch.
We locked eyes for a brief moment and I let my imagination go berserk thinking he was about to back me against the wall. His amber eyes were flickered with green dust. His darker stubble was contouring his lips and his set, chiselled jaw.
His phone buzzed and he immediately let go of my hand.
Whoever was calling him had very interesting news for him because it had him absorbed to the point of tension, his face handsomely stern.
"Right. Very well, I am on it immediately." He said before hanging up quickly.
"Something important coming up?" I asked.
*
Brand's Cambridge informant had proved efficient after all, finding a mortal hacker prodigy who had caught an emitting signal from the wine delivery. When Roydon had it tracked down, it stopped near Cambrigde, but the guy had caught a very poor signal much closer. The signal had not moved or diminished for 4 hours, it would mean one the delivery lorries had been stopped. Warwick Castle. The bloody wine was doing his own tourist visit in Warwick.
He looked at Gioia who stood watching him, expecting an explanation. She was so beautiful as a temptation, he had almost snapped. He was dying to give in and latch his hands into her hair and kiss her until the break of day.
But he couldn't, not now.
"Yes, very urgent business. Tennys will drive you back
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