Free Because We Belong: A Because You Are Mine Novel by Beth Kery

to the proposed plan and at first argued their points eloquently. But with Lucien’s support and Francesca’s own reports of past conversations she’d had with Ian about his desire to keep the company under his exclusive control at all costs, she eventually won their agreement. Even Gerard, who had put so much time and work into the proposal, eventually conceded that the decision was hers, and said that he’d follow and support her in whatever she chose. He methodically began to list alternative sources of capital and brainstorm with the rest of the board, his affability making her appreciate him even more.
    “We have a lot of work ahead of us, and time is still of the essence,” Anne said during a lull in their deliberations. She looked at James worriedly. “And here we are, with Christmas soon upon as and the Anniversary Ball to follow.”
    “Anniversary Ball?” Francesca asked, curious.
    “Yes, it’ll be James’s and my fifty-fifth on Boxing Day.” Anne beamed first at Francesca and then at James, her radiant expression reminding Francesca of a much younger woman. “We’re having quite a do the night after Christmas. Belford Hall hasn’t seen a party this big in decades. We usually were in London during the Christmas season,” Anne added as an aside to Francesca, who understood her to mean they’d wanted to be close to their daughter, Helen, during the holiday.
    “How wonderful. I hadn’t realized. Congratulations,” Francesca said.
    Something seemed to occur to the older woman. “But you’ll come! Of course. I wanted you to come all along, aside from all this business, you and—” She trailed off, realizing what she’d been about to say. She gathered herself. “But now, it will be a total necessity for you to be there. The five us should be together while we go through the process of liquidating assets and building capital, Lucien included. It will do you good, Francesca, to get a change of scenery. Belford Hall is a sight to behold this time of year. We’ll spend a quiet Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, just family.” Her eyes suddenly widened as if she’d been jolted by electricity. “I have it! The perfect plan.”
    James gave Francesca an amused glance. He was clearly used to Anne’s occasional inspirations of genius and had long ago given up trying to stop her while she was on a roll.
    “You said you had just finished a painting and didn’t have a commission yet for the New Year. You’ll do Belford Hall for your next commission,” she said, as if it were obvious. “James and I have been considering hiring someone to do a painting ever since our fiftieth anniversary, but we’ve never gotten around to it. It must have been fate that we waited until now. No other painter James and I know combines the creative depths and knowledge of architecture that you do, Francesca. It’s the perfect idea!”
    James’s amused expression faded to a thoughtful one. “You know, she’s right, Francesca. It’s a very good idea. You’d be ideal to do the painting of Belford.”
    “We want the painting to show the splendor of Belford Hall in the springtime . . . the woods, the gardens. Not a grand painting, like you did for Ian for Noble Towers; an intimate one for our favorite room, where we’ll gaze at it night after night,” she said, glancing fondly at James. “You could begin with your preliminary sketches of the structure while you visit, and return when things are in full bloom,” Anne said, seemingly making plans as she spoke.
    “Well . . . maybe. I’ll have to think about it,” Francesca said, bewildered and set off balance by the turn of topic. She had to admit, a getaway might be just what she needed. She’d never been to Belford, although on several occasions she’d stayed with Ian at his grandparents’ home in London while they visited Helen Noble at the hospital. “We did study Belford Hall while I was in school. It’d be amazing to see it, let alone paint