side.” Vail let her cross in front of him.
Marla brushed against his torso and figured they might have a good time in the cabin until they met his parents. But when she saw another envelope tucked into the seashell decoration by their door, she dismissed that notion. “It’s another message for Martha Shore,” she told Vail, her stomach sinking.
“Open it,” he commanded.
Inside their room, Marla ripped open the envelope and drew out a folded paper. Relief swept through her as she read the contents aloud while Vail shrugged out of his sports coat.
Please join us at the fine art preview and Champagne Reception this evening at 9:00 P.M. in the gallery, Deck 7, forward. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to preview some of the works we will have for sale and enjoy a glass of complimentary champagne. Meet Eric, your lively Auctioneer, who will explain the auction process and tell you about our artists featured during the cruise. Bring this invitation, and collect two free raffle tickets for a chance to win a five-hundred-dollar framed work of art .
“Sounds like fun,” she said. “Maybe we should go. We don’t have to meet your folks until after ten.”
“I didn’t know you were an art enthusiast.” Loosening his tie, Vail approached her, his eyes gleaming with desire.
“I’m not, but it’s a good chance to learn something new. Plus we might find a piece we like for our new house.”
“That’s true, but wouldn’t you rather play a bit?” Rubbing his body against hers, he made his arousal known.
She cast a surreptitious glance at her watch. They could either make it quick, or savor each other later. Despite her wish not to get caught up in planned activities, she couldn’t deny the feeling that they’d be missing an important event if they didn’t attend the auction.
“We can relax after the show tonight. I didn’t notice invitations on anyone else’s door, although other guests probably received the flyer that was on our bed when we arrived. Maybe we received this special offer for a reason.”
Speculation lit his gaze. “It’s possible,” he admitted. “All right, we’ll stop by and see what’s going on. Perhaps someone there can tell us why your name keeps being misspelled.”
Her heart swelled with love. “Good idea. I knew I brought you along for a reason,” she said, giving him a brief kiss.
Fifteen minutes later, Marla pushed open the door to the art gallery and entered a foyer that took her breath away. This looks like one of those European opera houses that Thurston mentioned . The plush red carpet, framed oil paintings, crystal chandelier, and curved staircase made her jaw drop in awe.
“Sweet,” Vail remarked, with a cynical twist to his lips. He’s probably wondering how much they mark up the items for sale , Marla thought. Certainly no expenses were spared in decorating.
Compelled to climb the stairs, she held on to a polished wood banister. At the top was a set of double mahogany doors. She entered the gallery proper, where rows of cushioned seats upholstered in red and gold faced forward. A bar took up a rear corner, with filled champagne glasses on its counter. Her nose detected a citrus fragrance while her mouth salivated for a glass of bubbly. Passengers milled about, chatting and sipping from fluted glassware. Paintings on easels lined the room, and more canvases were stacked against the walls.
Someone bumped her elbow. “Marla, I’m so glad you came. Now I’ll have someone else here I know.” Betsy, the brunette from dinner, gave her a wide grin.
“Oh, hi, Betsy. We got an invitation to the preview in our room, so we decided to attend. We’ve never been to an art auction before.” Vail meandered toward the bar, leaving them alone. She hadn’t thought about it, but if Betsy had received a free cruise ticket, she still could have come with a companion. “Pardon me for asking, but did you come on the cruise by yourself?”
“Yep, none of my friends
Marla brushed against his torso and figured they might have a good time in the cabin until they met his parents. But when she saw another envelope tucked into the seashell decoration by their door, she dismissed that notion. “It’s another message for Martha Shore,” she told Vail, her stomach sinking.
“Open it,” he commanded.
Inside their room, Marla ripped open the envelope and drew out a folded paper. Relief swept through her as she read the contents aloud while Vail shrugged out of his sports coat.
Please join us at the fine art preview and Champagne Reception this evening at 9:00 P.M. in the gallery, Deck 7, forward. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to preview some of the works we will have for sale and enjoy a glass of complimentary champagne. Meet Eric, your lively Auctioneer, who will explain the auction process and tell you about our artists featured during the cruise. Bring this invitation, and collect two free raffle tickets for a chance to win a five-hundred-dollar framed work of art .
“Sounds like fun,” she said. “Maybe we should go. We don’t have to meet your folks until after ten.”
“I didn’t know you were an art enthusiast.” Loosening his tie, Vail approached her, his eyes gleaming with desire.
“I’m not, but it’s a good chance to learn something new. Plus we might find a piece we like for our new house.”
“That’s true, but wouldn’t you rather play a bit?” Rubbing his body against hers, he made his arousal known.
She cast a surreptitious glance at her watch. They could either make it quick, or savor each other later. Despite her wish not to get caught up in planned activities, she couldn’t deny the feeling that they’d be missing an important event if they didn’t attend the auction.
“We can relax after the show tonight. I didn’t notice invitations on anyone else’s door, although other guests probably received the flyer that was on our bed when we arrived. Maybe we received this special offer for a reason.”
Speculation lit his gaze. “It’s possible,” he admitted. “All right, we’ll stop by and see what’s going on. Perhaps someone there can tell us why your name keeps being misspelled.”
Her heart swelled with love. “Good idea. I knew I brought you along for a reason,” she said, giving him a brief kiss.
Fifteen minutes later, Marla pushed open the door to the art gallery and entered a foyer that took her breath away. This looks like one of those European opera houses that Thurston mentioned . The plush red carpet, framed oil paintings, crystal chandelier, and curved staircase made her jaw drop in awe.
“Sweet,” Vail remarked, with a cynical twist to his lips. He’s probably wondering how much they mark up the items for sale , Marla thought. Certainly no expenses were spared in decorating.
Compelled to climb the stairs, she held on to a polished wood banister. At the top was a set of double mahogany doors. She entered the gallery proper, where rows of cushioned seats upholstered in red and gold faced forward. A bar took up a rear corner, with filled champagne glasses on its counter. Her nose detected a citrus fragrance while her mouth salivated for a glass of bubbly. Passengers milled about, chatting and sipping from fluted glassware. Paintings on easels lined the room, and more canvases were stacked against the walls.
Someone bumped her elbow. “Marla, I’m so glad you came. Now I’ll have someone else here I know.” Betsy, the brunette from dinner, gave her a wide grin.
“Oh, hi, Betsy. We got an invitation to the preview in our room, so we decided to attend. We’ve never been to an art auction before.” Vail meandered toward the bar, leaving them alone. She hadn’t thought about it, but if Betsy had received a free cruise ticket, she still could have come with a companion. “Pardon me for asking, but did you come on the cruise by yourself?”
“Yep, none of my friends
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