Tuesday afternoon had finally arrived and after the success of Richards exhibition on Monday, it was Maggie’s turn to be in the spotlight.
She stood in the wings of the hotels auditorium, her eyes closed with Richard was behind her massaging her shoulders.
“You OK?” he whispered in her ear. No, she thought. Maggie wanted to throw-up.
He kissed her ear and gently squeezed the left buttock. “You are going to be amazing out there.”
Maggie kept her eyes closed as he kissed her once more. If only Richard knew how close Maggie was in having him right now. It was becoming incredibly difficult to keep her hands off him. If he didn’t propose within the next couple of days, she was going to abandon her principles and take him where he stood.
The thousand-seater auditorium was almost full. Maggie held on to Richard as he clasped his hands around her waist, holding onto her until the last moment.
Maggie then heard Giovanni start his introduction. It seemed long and drawn out as they waited for the English translation. Then Maggie heard the first of three words from Giovanni that needed no interpretation, signalling her countdown.
“…Benvenuto Signorina Maggie Harris.”
The audience then erupted into a thunderous applause. Maggie left Richard’s embrace and walked boldly out onto the stage. She approached the podium with a few extra notes and saw her speech begin to role on the autocue.
“Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentleman.” Maggie looked out to the first row to see Richard take his place next to Sophia and Giovanni.
“Just over a year ago I met our Patron for this year’s Book Festival, Signor Rossi.”
That too was met with an enthusiastic applause.
“In January of that year, I was asked to attend an auction in London to oversee the purchase of a Gutenberg Bible. I do not have to tell those gathered here today that these Bibles do not come up often on the market.”
She paused and took a sip of water before continuing.
“Between 1450 and 1455, a total of 200 copies were scheduled to be printed, the first book in the world to use moveable type, on rag cotton linen paper, and 30 copies on velum animal skin. Although it is not known exactly how many copies were actually printed?”
Another pause.
“I saw the Bible with the security staff and leaving Signor Rossi to conduct his bidding in private, I took the opportunity to look at the copy before it was purchased. It was then I noticed the paper it was printed on.”
The first picture from Maggie’s presentation came up on the screen. It was a close-up picture taken at the time by the London Metropolitan Police Fraud Squad.
“Note the fibres in the paper on the forgery are closely woven together.”
Maggie highlights the picture with her laser pointer.
“Compare this to the original.” The next picture comes on the screen. “These fibres are more open, this is due to the crude make-up of rag-cotton paper.”
YOU ARE READING
Artful Dream
RomantikMaggie Harris and Richard Maple are two thirtysomething antique dealers from London, who have been forced by financial problems, to join their two businesses. That was over a year ago and things are now on the up. Maggie is in love with Richard and...
