Catherine had planned to catch up on some of her office work on Saturday. But Constantin Demiris had asked her to see that the visitors were taken care of.
“All right,” she said. “Saturday will be fine.”
Catherine was not looking forward to spending a day with the Frenchman. He’s so bitter. He acts like he’s still being abused.
The day started out pleasantly enough. They went first to the British Museum, where they wandered through galleries filled with magnificent treasures of the past. They saw a copy of the Magna Carta, a proclamation signed by Elizabeth I, and treaties of battles fought centuries earlier.
Something about Yves Renard was bothering Catherine, and it was not until they had been at the museum for almost an hour that she realized what it was.
They were looking at a case containing a document written by Admiral Nelson.
“I think this is one of the most interesting exhibits here,” Catherine said. “This was written just before Admiral Nelson went into battle. You see, he wasn’t sure he had the authority…” And she was suddenly conscious of the fact that Yves Renard was not listening. And another realization swept over her: He had paid almost no attention to any of the displays in the museum. He was not interested. Then why did he tell me he wanted to see museums? Catherine wondered.
They went to the Victoria and Albert Museum next and the experience was repeated. This time, Catherine was watching him closely. Yves Renard went from room to room paying lip service to what they were seeing, but his mind was obviously somewhere else.
When they were finished, Catherine asked, “Would you like to see Westminster Abbey?”
Yves Renard nodded. “Yes, of course.”
They walked through the great abbey, stopping to look at the tombstones of the famous men of history who were buried there, poets and statesmen and kings.
“Look,” Catherine said, “this is where Robert Browning is buried.”
Renard glanced down. “Ah, Browning.” And then he moved on.
Catherine stood there looking after him. What is he looking for? Why is he wasting this day?
When they were on the way back to the hotel, Yves Renard said, “Thank you, Miss Alexander. I enjoyed that very much.”
He’s lying, Catherine thought. But why?
“There’s a place that I’ve heard is very interesting. Stonehenge. I believe it’s on the Salisbury Plain.”
“Yes,” Catherine said.
“Why don’t we visit it, next Saturday perhaps?”
Catherine wondered whether he would find Stonehenge any more interesting than the museums.
“That would be fine,” Catherine said.
Dino Mattusi was a gourmet. He walked into Catherine’s office with a guidebook. “I have a list of the greatest restaurants in London here. Interested?”
“Well, I…”
“Good! Tonight I am taking you to dine at the Connaught.”
Catherine said, “Tonight I have to…”
“No excuses. I will pick you up at eight o’clock.”
Catherine hesitated. “Very well.”
Mattusi beamed. “Bene!” He leaned forward. “It is no fun doing things alone, is it?” His meaning was unmistakable. But he’s so obvious, Catherine thought, that he’s really quite harmless.
The dinner at the Connaught was delicious. They dined on smoked Scottish salmon, roast beef, and Yorkshire pudding.
Over the salad, Dino Mattusi said, “I find you fascinating, Catherine. I love American women.”
“Oh. Is your wife American?” Catherine asked innocently.
Mattusi shrugged. “No, she is Italian. But she’s very understanding.”
“That must be nice for you,” Catherine said.
He smiled. “It is, very nice.”
It was not until they were having dessert that Dino Mattusi said, “Do you like the country? I have a friend who has a car. I thought we might go for a drive on Sunday.”
Catherine started to say no, and then she suddenly thought of Wim. He seemed so lonely. Perhaps he would enjoy going out for a drive in the country. “It sounds like fun,” Catherine said.
“I promise you it will be interesting.”
“I wonder if I might bring Wim?”
He shook his head. “It’s a small car. I’ll make the arrangements.”
The visitors from Athens were demanding and Catherine found that she had very little time for herself. Haley, Renard, and Mattusi had had several meetings with Wim Vandeen, and Catherine was amused at how their attitudes had changed.