"Claire," Evelyn knocked on her door. "Mr Galloway is here."
"Oh," Claire rose, wearing a black dress she had settled on. "I'll introduce you two."
Claire brought Evelyn who was flustered to see Adam who stood arms folded over a picture Claire had hung up in the office.
"Adam," Claire allowed him to kiss her cheek, feeling his warmth and defusing it by turning to her inferior. "This is Evelyn, my office manager."
"Hi," Evelyn's cheeks coloured for she could see Adam held some old world charm. "If you'll excuse me… "
"You run a tight ship," Adam observed, as Claire led him into the conference room where stacks of his paintings he had sent over were arranged.
"Not any more," Claire took a deep breath, for all her ambitions had quite been thrown out the window with Francis' political connections all but cut off for her purposes. "I'm holding the gala at the Cotesworth. It should be enough to make a decent profit."
"Claire," Adam stepped forward, the intimacy between them increasing. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine," Claire reflexively folded her arms, her shoulders drawn as if for conflict. "Really, Adam. You don't need to worry about me."
"I do," Adam grinned, a broad grin on his face. "What does that say about me?"
"Claire, this is wonderful," smiled Felicity, kissing Claire on the cheek who wore pearls amid the backdrop of the evening, fine wine and entertainment provided with classical music as the paintings caused a stir. "This must be the photographer!"
"Oh, yes," Claire smiled at the introduction. "Felicity, this is Adam Galloway."
"Pleasure," Adam smiled, shaking her hand as she kissed his cheek, her arm threading through that of her husband's.
"If you'll excuse me," Felicity's eyebrows raised with a knowing look as she was led away.
"So," Adam smiled, as Claire took all of his cologne scented scruff in.
"So," Claire lingered, wanting nothing more than the feel of his naked skin on her. "The paintings are selling well," she added coolly, lamely as she glanced away to the patrons.
As the party died down, Claire was left to oversee the decorations being brought down while Adam came up to her.
"I'd better be off," he admitted with a smile, as Claire nodded in acknowledgment. "It was good to see you, Claire."
"Thank you, Adam," Claire meant it, for the money he had helped to raise, since it would no longer be funding new expeditions only keeping the CWI afloat in these turbulent political times without her equally so husband by her side. "It was a great success."