Tidal Wave [antikvár]

Chapter One"Please sign here, and here, and here."Arabella Crawford removed the top of the red lacquered Dupont fountain pen. She stared at the shiny gold pwint. Her hand was steady, her emotions controlled. Her face showed nothing of her feelings to the ten men seated at the huge, round, English Regency conference table. A small voice in her head kept whispering over and over again, "History, past histories."The room was filled with a hushed stillness and there was a distinct tension in the air. Arabella turned to the lawyer standing next to her, holding a sheaf of papers in his hand.She said, in her firm yet soft voice, "I think this room needs fresh air."Then, turning her attention back to the table, she took the time to look into the eyes of the gentlemen, one at a time.Armand Ury returned to her side after opening the French windows that led out on to the balcony overlooking the Place Vendőme, white under the first snowfall of winter in Paris.Arabella felt a fresh cold gust of wind wrap around her ankles. It snapped her back to the reality of the moment. With her left hand she held the documents down and quickly placed her signature where she was instructed.Armand Ury removed the papers and passed them behind Arabella to Axel Horst, who was standing to her right. Armand immediately placed several more documents before her, indicating where she was to sign.Her beautiful mouth broke into a sweet, mysterious smile as she looked around the table yet again. Quickly she low-1