Chapter 3
Warwickshire, Royal Leamington Spa
The Belmont Gallery
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
12:05 p.m.
“The gentleman asked for a discount, which I gave, of course,” Mr. Belmont said with a smile, counting the notes to pay Laetitia her share of 40 percent.
Laetitia bobbed her head twice. “Of course.”
“I charged three hundred pounds per linear meter,” he said. “Here. I split the discount between us. We are interested in you consigning more.”
Laetitia almost touched her chin to make sure she wasn’t gaping openmouthed at Mr. Belmont.
“It’s rather a shock, I gather?”
“Yes, rather,” Laetitia uttered, thrusting the stack of notes in her bag, not sure if she was exhilarated or what.
“Your work has reached a more mature level, Laetitia,” said Mr. Belmont. “You didn’t believe me when I
